Tony Kakkar and Shaan SUPPORT Sonu Nigam

Singer Sonu Nigam has found himself at the centre of controversy following an incident during his recent concert in Bengaluru. After audience members demanded he sing in Kannada, his reaction sparked backlash, with some accusing him of being disrespectful. An FIR was even filed against him. But amid the noise, fellow musicians Tony Kakkar and Shaan have come to his defence, calling for greater patience, tolerance, and recognition of Sonu’s massive contribution to Indian music.
Tony Kakkar’s strong support
As the controversy continued, singer Tony Kakkar publicly stood by Sonu Nigam. Posting to his Instagram stories, he praised Sonu’s contribution to music and slammed the rush to judge him over a short video clip. “Sir Sonu Nigam isn’t just a singer. He shaped our childhoods, inspired millions, and quietly helped so many. He’s given his life to music and taught a whole generation. His music has united the nation across languages and generations. It truly hurts to see him misjudged over a twisted headline.”
Tony added, “His statement has been shown only in parts, leading many to form opinions without knowing the full story. This man has made lives better through his music and humility. His legacy deserves better.”

Shaan urges patience and inclusivity
Singer Shaan also spoke out in Sonu Nigam’s defence, urging the public to be more inclusive and understanding. Talking to IANS about the language row, he shared that similar things have happened to him as well. “It has happened to me as well. We used to go to a place, and some of its videos went viral. But the point is that we have to be inclusive. We have to be more tolerant. And music is a universal language. Sometimes we listen to songs whose language we do not understand. But after listening to the song, we feel a different happiness. Or we get a different pleasure.”
He went on to add, “So, people should be a little more patient, a little more tolerant. If you have chosen an artist, then you know what language most of his songs are in. So, if you insist that you do the whole show in some other language, then it is unfair, it should not be like that. Having said that, this is not something to do with Karnataka, nothing to do with just Karnataka. It has happened in almost every state across India. With me, it has happened in many places. This is nothing new. We have to bear it and the show must go on.”

What Happened at the Bengaluru Concert?
During the Bengaluru concert, Sonu Nigam was interrupted by some audience members who insisted that he perform a Kannada song. Visibly upset by the manner in which the demands were made, he paused the show and addressed the crowd. He said, “This is the reason behind the incident in Pahalgam. Please see who is standing before you. I love you guys.”
Nigam later explained that while he deeply respects Kannada language and culture—and has sung hundreds of Kannada songs, the audience's behaviour felt “rudely threatening”. This moment quickly went viral on social media and sparked a heated debate. While many supported Sonu, others criticised his remarks and accused him of offending the Kannadiga community.

FIR filed and police notice issued
Soon after the event, on 3 May, an FIR was registered against Sonu Nigam. The Bengaluru District Police also issued him a notice, asking him to appear before the investigating officer within a week to respond to the complaint.
Sonu then quickly on Instagram with a sincere note: “Sorry Karnataka. My love for you is bigger than my ego. Love you always.” He further explained that he was “humiliated” by a fan and “threatened” by someone during the performance—someone young enough to be his son.