There was a time when he was the voice behind every other hit Bollywood song, but now Sonu
Niigaam says he wants to chart a new course. He's working on a musical project in the US and
judging a children's show aimed at bringing Indian and Pakistani children together through
music.
"I want to do something different now. I recently came back from Los Angeles. I am working
on a musical project there," Sonu told IANS in an interview, explaining his irregular
presence in the film world.
"In India everybody knows me, I have a name here but in America they don't know me so well.
So there is a song that I want to release in America. I'm just seeing if I can facilitate
the release over there...currently I'm busy with that.
"Working on a few other collaborations as well, but won't be able to reveal details just
yet," added Sonu, who is known for chartbusters like "Sandese aate hain" ("Border"), "Yeh
Dil" ("Pardes"), "Kal ho naa ho" ("Kal Ho Naa Ho") and "Saathiya".
Sonu gained popularity as a host for music show "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa" in the 1990s and he is now
set to return to the small screen -- this time as a judge.
The singer will be judging music reality show "Chhote Ustaad 2", which will feature 10
children from India and 10 from Pakistan, along with Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.
"I did get offers for shows earlier too, but I didn't like them too much. This one is more
musically inclined and also spreads a wonderful message of love and peace across the
border," Sonu said.
The show will air on STAR Plus from July 24.
"Children have an impressionable mind; so inculcating positivity and a feeling of
brotherhood in them from this age will result in a very good future. It's a good initiative
and I hope people will appreciate it," the singer said.
Apart from his new ventures, there is something else Sonu is proud of -- his three-year-old
son Nevaan. Sonu, who got the gift of music from his father, singer Agam Kumar Niigaam, says
his son not only sings but has already turned composer!
"He sings and dances all the time. In fact he has also started composing even though he is
just three. He has composed three songs which are very catchy," Sonu told IANS.
The 36-year-old singer married Madhurima Feb 15, 2002, and they had a son July 25, 2007.
"In fact it's not that he's become musically inclined now. Since Nevaan was eight months old
I used to sing and he used to sing in the same pitch. It is shocking but true!" said Sonu.