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Sonu Nigam faces an FIR in Bengaluru for a controversial remark during an April 27 concert. Despite this, he continues promoting his new song from the film April May 99.
An FIR has been filed against singer Sonu Nigam in Bengaluru
Singer Sonu Nigam has landed in legal trouble after an FIR was filed against him in Bengaluru over a controversial remark he made during a concert on April 27, 2025. CNN- had exclusively reported that the complaint was lodged by the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike group at Avalahalli Police Station. The FIR has been registered under Section 352, which pertains to intentional insults aimed at provoking a breach of peace.
However, Sonu Nigam appears unshaken by the controversy. The veteran playback singer continues with his professional engagements, including the ongoing promotions for his upcoming projects. He took to his social media handles to promote his latest song from the film April May 99. Sharing the breezy, feel-good track, he called it a “new anthem for that delicate feeling,” giving fans a glimpse into the emotional vibe of the number.
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Sonu Nigam was allegedly repeatedly asked to sing in Kannada by a young man. Nigam said that while he loves Kannadigas, he found the demand ‘rudely threatening’. He also made a remark on the Pahalgam terror attack, which led to sharp criticism from pro-Kannada groups, who allege it equated their language struggle with terrorism.
Sonu Nigam later issued a clarification, revealing what happened during the concert. He claimed that a few individuals were causing trouble, and clarified that the intention was not to criticise the whole community, but rather to address the negative actions of a few individuals who were ‘threatening’, rather than requesting for Kannada song.
On Saturday, Sonu Nigam shared a video on Instagram, in which he shared what happened during the Bengaluru concert. He said that there were 4-5 individuals who were shouting ‘Kannada Kannada’, while thousands of others were stopping them, and asking them not to disturb the concert. “Un paanchon ko ye batana aur yaad dilaana bohot zaroori tha ki, Pahalgam mein jab pant utaari gayi thi, tab bhaasha nahi puchhi gayi thi (It was very important to remind those five that when the pants were taken off in Pahalgam, no one asked about the language),” said Sonu Nigam. He added that Kannadadigas are lovely people, and that it’s important not to generalize them.
“There’s nothing like that. Everywhere, there are 4-5 such bad people, no matter which state they’re from. But it’s very important to remind them that you cannot let them threaten you, to make you sing. The whole world is doing it with love. When I come, I bring a one-hour set of Kannada songs. But those who provoke others, it’s very important to stop them right away,” he said. “Kyunki ye bawaseer ban jaate hain phir baad mein,” he added.
He further shared, “If someone is sowing the seeds of hatred in the land of love, we need to stop them. Kannadigas are beautiful people, so please let’s not generalize them. There were just 4-5 boys who were looking at me angrily after I finished my first song. They weren’t demanding, they were threatening. You can ask people who were there.”
A video of Sonu Nigam schooling the individuals for demanding a Kannada song went viral on social media. Nigam, visibly upset, paused the show and said that while he loves Kannadigas and has sung some of his best songs in Kannada, he found the demand “rudely threatening.” He added, “This is the reason behind the incident in Pahalgam. Please see who is standing before you. I love you guys.”
KRV Bengaluru District President Dharmaraj Gowda, speaking to earlier, had said, “His statements have hurt the sentiments of the Kannadiga community and could incite violence between various linguistic communities of Karnataka. The video of Sonu Nigam has gone viral, and crores of Kannadigas across the state are outraged.”
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