Singer Sonu Nigam has apologised to the people of Karnataka for comparing demands to sing Kannada songs with the Pahalgam terror attack. The singer issued the apology after speaking with Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) state president TA Narayana Gowda.
On October 19, Gowda shared Sonu's apology video on X, saying the singer had understood how his earlier remarks had hurt Kannadigas and had offered an unconditional apology.
In the video, Sonu addressed the people of Karnataka as his family and spoke about his conversation with Gowda. He said, “My dear Karnataka family, Thanna Kannadigaru. My truth is known to me, my Almighty, my Bhagwan, and to all the people who were there in the audience that eventful evening. Nevertheless, I've had a beautiful chat with Shri Narayana Gowda ji. He's a wonderful person, and we've had a very warm and, uh, respectful discussion. I have a lot of regard for him.”
Explaining his apology, the singer said, “When you love someone, and you want the relationship to stay, you don't mind saying sorry 1000 times. So my dear family, if anything I've said inadvertently that has hurt you, I am so sorry for it.”
He further said, “You know I'm not the kind of person who's ever hurt anyone, at least my family from Karnataka. You have given me so much love and so much respect in the last 30 years that I don't want any kind of little misunderstanding taint that relationship and cause any kind of bitterness. Lots of love to all of you. May God bless you, and I love you.”
KRV Calls Off Protest
Following the apology, Narayana Gowda said KRV would call off its protest. He said there was no personal animosity towards Sonu and highlighted the singer's long association with audiences in Karnataka.
Gowda also recalled singers Ghantasala, PB Srinivas, Yesudas, S Janaki, Vani Jairam and KS Chithra. While they were not Kannadigas, he noted that they had contributed to Kannada film music and were loved by audiences in the state. He expressed hope that Sonu would sing more Kannada songs and continue performing in Karnataka.
Sonu is scheduled to perform as part of The Revolution India Tour at 7 pm on October 24 at Bhartiya Mall of Bengaluru on Thanisandra Main Road.
What Sonu Nigam Said In 2025
The controversy began in April 2025, when Sonu performed at East Point Engineering College in Bengaluru. Some audience members repeatedly asked him to sing in Kannada, following which he made the remark that sparked the backlash.
Sonu said, “The best songs I have sung are in Kannada... I didn't like it when a boy asked me to sing in Kannada. He was so rudely threatening, 'Kannada, Kannada.' This is the reason for the Pahalgam attack.”
The statement drew criticism from Kannadigas and pro-Kannada organisations. KRV later filed a complaint against the singer at Avalahalli police station in Bengaluru, following which an FIR was registered against him.
Sonu subsequently clarified that he was referring to the behaviour of a few people in the audience who had been aggressive while demanding a Kannada song. He maintained that his remark was not directed at Kannadigas as a whole.
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