This article uses bare URLs for citations. Please consider adding full citations so that the article remains verifiable. Several templates and the Reflinks tool are available to assist in formatting. (Reflinks documentation) (August 2011)

This article may require copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone, or spelling. You can assist by editing it. (March 2012)

Shaan
Born	Shantanu Mukherji (1972-09-30) 30 September 1972 (age 39) Parel, Mumbai, India
Residence	Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Occupation	Singer, Television Host
Years active	2000 – Present
Spouse	Radhika Mukherjee
Children	Soham and Shubh
Parents	Manas Mukherjee

Shaan (born Shantanu Mukherjee Pronounced: Shantonu Mukharji on 30 September 1972), is an Indian playback singer, and television host. He hosted the shows Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L'il Champs, Star Voice of India and "Star Voice of India 2". In Music Ka Maha Muqabla, his team, Shaan's Strikers, finished as the runners up to Shankar Mahadevan’s team.

Personal life[link]

Shaan with wife Radhika

Shaan was born into a Bengali Brahmin family on 30 September 1972 in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh. He is the son of the late music director Manas Mukherjee and brother of singer Sagarika.^[1] His father died when Shaan was 13, after which his mother found work as a singer and took care of the whole family. He is married to Radhika and has two sons, Soham and Shubh. He is the grandson of lyricist Jahar Mukherjee.

Early years and music albums[link]

As a child, Shaan began his career by singing ad jingles. After giving it up for a brief period, he soon returned to it, and also began to sing remixes and cover versions. In the 1989 movie Parinda, when he was only 17 years of age, Shaan sang a single line in the song, "Kitni Hai Pyari Pyari Dosti Hamari".

Shaan and his sister's career began with Naujawan. They signed up with Magnasound recording company and recorded a few successful albums. The album Naujawan was a hit. Then came the Album Q - Funk, which sold a million copies. He entered the pop scene with sister Sagarika, powered by pop-guru Biddu’s melodies and doing re-mixes.Then came Roop Tera Mastana, a remix album of R.D. Burman's songs, that brought them further into the limelight.

Shaan has been wooing the audiences since he stepped into Indian Music industry. He launched Loveology after this, which was well received by young hearts all over.^[2] The track from his second album Tanha Dil, "Bhool Ja", which is an excellent ballad with superb lyrics written by the man himself, catapulted to the charts within days of its release and was very popular on radio.

Dil Kya Kare is a remix that caught everyone's eye thanks to its electrifying video and soothing melodies. Mana Janab is a fun and frolicking blast from the past that Shaan livens up with a Latino groove. Induced with lots of emotional and groovy tracks, the album popped up the singer’s star rating, market value and of course ambitions. The remix version of Hum Bewafa sung by him and it's video are also remembered.

In 2000 he won the MTV Asia Music Award for best solo album for his album Tanha Dil. Three years later Shaan launched his album Aksar which was again hugely successful. The album contained songs featuring international stars such as Blue, Mel C and Samira Said.

For both the albums Tanha Dil and Aksar, Shaan sang, composed and wrote the lyrics of his songs, except the title track "Tanha Dil" which was composed by Ram Sampath, who is also famous for the Bhag DK Bose song from the movie, Delhi Belly.

In 2006, he released a song with MLTR, "Take me to your heart". The song appears on his album Tishnagi which is produced by Ranjit Barot and engineered by Ashish Manchanda .The song "Shuruat" in his album Tishnagi was made into a music video to promote the film, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. .^[2]

He has released Tomar Aakash in year 2004, a Bengali album with his sister in which he has brought out his dad's unreleased songs.^[3] He also plans to release an album remaking his father's compositions with his sister in Hindi. He recently sang one of his father's compositions on sets of STAR Plus's Music Ka Maha Muqqabla .

Playback singing,Music composition & Lyrics writing[link]

Apart from singing for his albums, Shaan has been the voice of almost all of Bollywood's leading men starting from Shahid Kapur to Saif Ali Khan. He is widely appreciated for his excellent voice quality and singing songs from heart. He has thus established himself as one of the leading playback singers in Bollywood today.^[4]

Shaan sang, composed the music and wrote the lyrics of his songs for both of his super hit albums Tanha Dil and Aksar. He has also composed music for many TV serials and has won the Best TV music director award. Shaan is also well known for giving inputs about music and lyrics to the music directors for which he sings.

Shaan has sung playback vocals for several hit Bollywood films, including Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi, Bas Itna Sa Khwaab Hai, Jhankaar Beats, Lakshya,Kaante, Dil Chahta Hai, Kal Ho Na Ho, Hum Tum,, Dhoom, Dus, Salaam Namaste, Fight Club - Members Only,Koi Mil Gaya,Munna Bhai M.B.B.S, Don - The Chase Begins Again, Fanaa, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, Masti (2004 film), Om Shanti Om, Partner, Welcome, Saawariya, Jab We Met, 3 Idiots, Taare Zameen Par and many more.

Shaan has also given his voice to many hit Bengali,Telugu and Tamil film songs.Popular songs by Shaan include hits like "Musu Musu"[influenced by a hit Nepali song of same starting lines] and "Wo Pehli Baar" from Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi ; "Tune Mujhe Pehchaana Nahin" from Raju Chacha; "Nikamma Kiya Is Dil Ne" from Kyaa Dil Ne Kahaa ; "O Re Kanchi" from Asoka ; "Yeh Hawein" from Bas Itna Sa Khwaab Hai ; "Koi Kahe Kehta Rahe" and "Woh Ladki Hai Kahan" from Dil Chahta Hai ; "Subha Ho Gayi Mamu" from Munna Bhai M.B.B.S ; "Suno Na" and "Tera Muskurana" from Jhankaar Beats ; "It's The Time To Disco" and "Kuch To Hua Hai" from Kal Ho Na Ho ; "En Panchhiyon" from Koi Mil Gaya ; "Dus Bahane" from Dus ; "Shikdum" from Dhoom ; "Main Aisa Kyun Hoon" from Lakshya ; "Ladki Kyun" from Hum Tum ; "My Dil Goes Mmmm" from Salaam Namaste ; "Where's The Party Tonight" and "Rock And Roll Soniye" from Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna ; "Chori Chori Chhora Chhori" from Masti (2004 film) ; "Main Hoon Don" from Don - The Chase Begins Again ; "Hey Shona" from Ta Ra Rum Pum ; "Do U Wanna Partner" and "You're My Love" from Partner ; "Insha Allah" and "Welcome" from Welcome ; "Bum Bum Bole" from Taare Zameen Par ; "Aao milo chalo" from Jab We Met,"Kuch Kam" from Dostana ; "Behti Hawa Sa Tha Woh" from 3 Idiots and the very popular songs "Chand Sifarish" from the movie Fanaa,"Main agar kahu","Om Shanti Om"from the movie Om Shanti Om "Jab se tere naina" from the movie Saawariya.

He has sung few nepali songs in nepalifilms and albums among which the song Adha Jindagi has become very popular Shaan has always focused on versatility. On one side he can belt out a blockbuster like "Nikamma" and on the other hand he can sing the soulful rag-darbari based "Paigham laya saawan".He has sung several genres of songs. "Tanha dil" is a pop superhit then, "One Love" belongs to hip-hop genre, and "Bhool Ja" is an excellent rock Ballad.

He has started learning music from the legendary Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan, and according to Shaan it has enriched his voice and taught him so much about life. The World loves shaan because of his innocence and serenity.^[5]

He has also recorded the theme song for the IPL team Deccan Chargers known as Go Chargers Go with composer Shamir Tandon and lyricist Virag Mishra. The song belongs to Pop Rock genre.

Musical show hosting[link]

He hosted the television show, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa on Zee TV from years 2000-2006, which won the Music Programme of the Year award at the Indian Telly Awards in 2003. In 2007, he left the host job and then was replaced by 21 year-old Aditya Narayan. At the same awards function, Shaan won Best TV Music Director, for creating the music of the Zee TV show, Lipstick, for friend, Goldie Behl.

He also appeared as the guest in the first episode of the new show Antakshari: The Great Challenge which aired on 9 February 2007 on Star One.

Shaan is now the host of a music show called Star Voice of India (SVOI) which airs on Star Plus. He was offered to host Star Voice Of India Chote Ustaad, but opted out to spend time with his family. However, he returned to host the next season of Star Voice of India.

International acclaim & other projects[link]

Shaan is one of those few Indian singers,who has been opted by international singers for collaboration. After working with blue for the song (One Love) and singing theme song (Shuruat) for the movie The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Shaan collaborated with Michael Learns to Rock for his album Tishnagi. Shaan also composed six of the album's nine tracks and penned most of the songs, excluding the number Take me to your heart with Michael Learns to Rock. The video of this number has been quite popular too.^[6]

Shaan has sung title songs for the many TV shows also. He sang title song for the comedy show Khichdi which airs on Star Plus. He also sang the title song for Shakuntala which airs on Star One.

Along with singing, Shaan has also acted in the movie, Daman, also starring Raveena Tandon. He has made appearances in his songs in the movies, Zameen and Hungama.

Shaan has sung in the Konkani album Tujhe Vinem.^[7]

Shaan often performs for Pro Shows which are conducted as a part of the cultural festivals of various colleges. Among the prominent cult festivals where he has performed live recently are PULSE at AIIMS, New Delhi, Recstacy of NIT Durgapur, Spring Fest of IIT Kharagpur, REBECA of BESU (B E College, Shibpur) Mood Indigo of IIT Bombay, Ragam of NIT Calicut, Alcheringa of IIT Guwahati and in Riviera'10 of VIT University. Recently he has performed live in an IBM event "Imprint 2008, Bangalore" for IBM GBS exclusively.

He said in an interview that music directors are avoiding established singers to bring some novelty in the playback singing,while compromising on the quality.Auto tuning software ensures that even rough voice can sound good while finally recording and releasing the song.^[8]

Shaan has also been a judge on many talent hunt shows.^[9]

Shaan is a team Captain, judge, and mentor on STAR Plus's Music Ka Maha Muqqabla for the team Shaan's Strikers. His team won the Runner Up prize, amounting to Rs. 25 lakhs (Rs. 2.5 million) in this game show on 20 March 2010, losing to Shanker Mahadevan and his team, with 43.1 points to 46.3 points.^[10]

Awards[link]

His song "Chand Sifarish" from the movie Fanaa and "Jab Se Tere Naina" from Saawariya won the Filmfare Best Male Playback Award and the Zee Cine Award Best Playback Singer - Male apart from receiving several other nominations. In 2000 he won the MTV Asia Music Award for best solo album for his album Tanha Dil. Shaan won Best TV Music Director Award for creating the music of the Zee TV show Lipstick. Following are the list of awards and nominations in different categories.

Filmography[link]

Tours[link]

• In 2005 Shaan performed at IIT Kharagpur Annual Cultural Festival Mood Indigo
• In 2004 Shaan took a tour around India for his album Aksar.
• In January 2004 Shaan performed at Saarang(Cul-Fest) in IIT Madras
• In 2005 and 2009 Shaan performed in Durban/Johannesburg. Brought down by "Shasim Entertainment Enterprises" South Africa
• In June 2006, Shaan took a North American tour, singing for fans all over the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean.
• In November 2006 he took a tour with fellow singer Sunidhi Chauhan to the Netherlands, Singapore, Fiji, Suriname and Australia.
• In February 2006, he performed at REBECA 2006, the Annual Cultural Fest and Alumni Re-Union Of BESU,Shibpur
• In September 2006, he performed at Infosys Technologies Ltd, Hyderabad.
• In January 2003 and also on January 2007, he performed at Spring Fest in IIT Kharagpur.
• In March 2007, he performed at Ragam 07 in NIT Calicut.
• In April 2007 he took a Middle East tour to Dubai and Oman with Music Director Jatin.
• In February 2008, he performed at Alcheringa in IIT Guwahati.
• In October 2007, he performed at annual day of Logica, Bangalore.
• In May 2008, he performed at an IBM Event IMPRINT 2008, Bangalore.
• In July 2009, Shaan performed at the North American Bengali Conference (NABC) in McEnery Convention Center, San Jose, USA.
• 13 August 2008 : Performed at Microsoft IDC decennial party at HICC, Hyderabad
• 16 August 2009, Shaan performed at the 'Proms 42: Indian Voices Day' at the Royal Albert Hall in Kensington - London, United Kingdom.
• In 2009, he went to Bangladesh for singing playback songs for the Bengali movie Rehmat Ali. He held a concert at the Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Center.
• 31 January 2010, he performed at RIVIERA 2010 in VIT UNIVERSITY VELLORE.
• 14 March 2010, he performed at the mega-night of 'PAACET FEST 2010' at Nishagandhi auditorium, Trivandrum
• 23 March 2010, he performed at the grand-night of 'RECSTACY 2010' - The annual cult fest of NIT Durgapur
• 24 July 2010, he performed at the Annual cultural program "Rock on 2" in Teerthanker Mahaveer University (TMU), Moradabad (U.P.).
• 10 October 2010,performance at Bangalore
• In 2010 Shaan performed at IIM Bangalore Annual Cultural Festival Unmaad.
• In November 2010, he Performed at 'CHHATTISGARH RAJYOTSAVA', Raipur.
• 11 December 2010, he Performed for Mumbai Capgemini Event 'JASHN 2010'.
• On 23 January 2011, he performed at INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY (ICT) MUMBAI Annual Cultural Fest MANZAR 2011.
• On 29 May 2011, he performed at Garden State Exhibition Center in Somerset, NJ for Ananda Utsava 2011.
• On 9 July 2011, he performed at Center of Performing Arts, San Jose as his 14th show out of 15th shows for USA 2011 tour.
• On 6 August 2011, he performed at Siri Fort Auditorium, New Delhi.
• On 16 August 2011, he performed at GAIL Day, Siri Fort Auditorium, New Delhi, .

References[link]

External links[link]

• Shaan at the Internet Movie Database

Mini Mathur
Mini mathur at Manish Malhotra - Lilavati Save & Empower Girl Child show, 2012
Born	21st August 1975 Mumbai, India
Spouse	Kabir Khan (director)

Mini Mathur is an Indian actress and television personality.^[1][2] She was a video jockey on MTV India and hosted a couple of shows for the channel. She is also a co-host of the Indian reality singing contest Indian Idol.^[3]

Mini Mathur currently hosts Bombay Blush, a culture show on India that airs on BBC in the UK. She resides in Mumbai with her husband Kabir Khan, son Vivian and a daughter Sairah.^[4][5][6] She is currently hosting a sports quiz show on Doordarshan named, Sports ka Superstar.

She holds a degree in Business Management from Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad, India.

Filmography[link]

• Khwahish (Actress)
• Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa (Contestant)
• A Nation Celebrates (Producer)
• From Corner Shops to Lords (Producer)
• Iss Jungle Se Mujhe Bachao (Host)
• Indian Idol (Host)
• Bombay Blush (Host)
• Sports ka Superstar (Host)
• Kaun Banega Crorepati (expert who gives advice)
• survivor season-1 (Contestant)

Films[link]

^[7]

• I, Me Aur Main (27 Jul 2012) (Coming Soon)
• Mere Brother Ki Dulhan (9 Sep 2011)
• Dil Vil Pyar Vyar (18 Oct 2002)

References[link]

External links[link]

• Mini Mathur at the Internet Movie Database

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (May 2011)

This article may require copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone, or spelling. You can assist by editing it. (May 2011)

Sonu Nigam
Background information
Born	(1973-07-30) 30 July 1973 (age 38) Faridabad, Haryana, India
Genres	Pop, playback singing
Occupations	Singer, Actor, Music Director, Television presenter, Radio jockey
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1985–present
Website	sonunigam.in

Sonu Nigam (born 30 July 1973 in Faridabad, Haryana, India)^[1] is an Indian singer whose songs have been featured in numerous Hindi and Kannada movies, as well as films in Tamil, Assamese, Punjabi, Bengali, Marathi and Telugu. He has also released numerous Indi-pop albums and acted in a few Hindi movies. He had changed the spelling of his last name from 'Nigam' to 'Niigaam' in accordance with numerology, but later returned to the original spelling 'Nigam'.^[2]

Career[link]

Early years and playback singing[link]

Sonu Nigam began his singing career at the age of three, when he joined his father on stage to sing Mohammed Rafi's "Kya Hua Tera Vaada, Wo Kasam Wo Irada". From then on Sonu accompanied his father on his singing appearances at weddings and parties. In his teenage years he successfully participated in several music competitions. He moved to Mumbai with his father to begin his Bollywood singing career at the age of 19.^[3]

His initial years in Mumbai proved to be a struggle, beginning by singing covers of Mohammed Rafi songs, mainly for a number of Rafi Ki Yaadein albums released by T-Series. T-Series promoter Gulshan Kumar played a key role in identifying Nigam's talent by giving him a chance to reach a larger audience. These albums contributed to T-Series for some years although Nigam's singing style was regarded by some to be like that of a "Rafi clone". Nigam's first movie song as a playback singer was Janam (1990), which was never officially released. He also got a break in radio commercials until he appeared on the popular TV show Sa Re Ga Ma, after which there was no turning back. He was trained by classical singer Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan.

Nigam started hosting Sa Re Ga Ma in 1995 with the first episode airing on 1 May 1995. The television singing talent competition soon became one of the most popular shows on Indian television. Soon after, he sang "Accha Sila Diya" on the album Bewafa Sanam (1995), which was very successful.^[3] Singing offers started pouring in thereafter, albeit slowly at first. He rose to fame with the Anu Malik-composed song "Sandese Aate Hain," in Border in 1997. Sonu's Album "Deewana" with released with T-Series in 1999, identified his talent of singing romantic songs and remains one of the most successful albums ever. Sonu's image as a 'Rafi clone' changed after his rendition of the Nadeem-Shravan-composed song "Yeh Dil Deewana" in Pardes in the same year. Since then, he has created a unique style and has become a role model for emerging vocal talent in India.^[3]

Over the years, Nigam has become a major force in the Indian music industry. He has provided playback singing for a large number of Hindi movies and won many awards. His rendition of the title song of the film Kal Ho Naa Ho has been very popular. He is recognized for his singing of romantic, rock, sad, and patriotic songs. Nigam has sung songs in many languages besides Hindi, including Kannada, Bengali, Oriya, Punjabi], Tamil, |Telugu, English, Bhojpuri, Urdu, Nepali, Chhattisgarhi, Malayalam and Marathi.^[3]

Pop albums and concerts[link]

Sonu has released a number of pop albums, in Hindi, Punjabi and Kannada. The most recent addition to his Hindi releases is Classically Mild, a semi-classical album.^[4] He has also released Hindu and Islamic devotional albums, as well as albums of Mohammed Rafi's songs. These are from the Rafi Ki Yaadein collection in his early years, which have been re-released in September 2007 as a six-disc collection of 100 songs, titled Kal Aaj Aur Kal, in Mohammed Rafi's memory.^[5] In 2008, soon after releasing Classically Mild, he released a single Punjabi track called "Punjabi Please"^[6] and Rafi Resurrected, a two-disc collection of Mohammed Rafi songs with music by the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. He has contributed to the lyrics of several of his album songs and directed the music for his album Chanda Ki Doli. His last album was Neene Bari Neene in Kannada.

After the death of Michael Jackson, of whom Sonu Nigam was considerably influenced (as is evident in his rendition of "Dil Deewana" in Pardes), Nigam released a tribute song to Jackson in collaboration with his fans on Facebook. The song made it to an 18-song global compilation of tribute songs CD The Beat of Our Hearts.^[7]

Sonu Nigam has also collaborated with Britney Spears on a remix of her "I Wanna Go" track.^[8]

Over the years, Nigam has given concert performances in many countries, including the United States, Canada, the UK, France, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Russia, Afghanistan, the UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, West Indies, Suriname, Mauritius, Nigeria and South Africa. In May/June 2007, he participated in a star-studded show in North America called "The Incredibles," in which Asha Bhosle, Kunal Ganjawala and Kailash Kher participated. In September and October of the same year, he gave solo concerts titled "Simply Sonu" in Canada and Germany (becoming the first Indian singer to perform in the latter country).^[9] In April 2008, he did a marathon of concerts in cities in India, promoting his Punjabi single "Punjabi Please".^[10]

In November 2007, at the inauguration of Harvard University's 28th president, Dr. Drew Gilpin Faust, Nigam sang Mahatma Gandhi's favorite bhajan, "Vaishnav Jan To Tene Kahiye", with the Harvard College Sangeet.^[11]

In July 2008, he participated in a three-city tour of the United Kingdom, singing Mohammed Rafi songs with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra].^[12] This followed the release of these songs by the CBSO and the Indian music company Sa Re Ga Ma in the album Rafi Resurrected.^[13]

Amongst several other concerts, he notably participated in a US tour with Sunidhi Chauhan in 2009 called "The Explosion 2009" tour and in a UK tour titled "All Izz Well" in November 2010. He is now going to share stage in April 2012 with Atif Aslam at The O2 Arena, London in Flex FX Dhamaka^[14] concert to promote love, peace & unity among India and Pakistan.

Radio and acting[link]

In 2006, Sonu Nigam hosted his own radio show called Life Ki Dhun with Sonu Niigaam on Radiocity 91.1 FM, where he had the opportunity to interview music industry greats, including Lata Mangeshkar on the last aired episode.^[15]

Nigam's acting career^[16] started as a child artist in a number of films including 1983's Betaab. As an adult, he has acted in a few more films, namely Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani alongside Sunny Deol, Manisha Koirala and Akshay Kumar as well as other actors; Kash Aap Hamare Hote, where he plays the male lead opposite Juhi Babbar, daughter of Raj Babbar; and most recently, Love in Nepal with Flora Saini and Sweta Keswani, where he again plays a leading role. None of the films have done well at the box office, although his acting was much better appreciated in his last venture. He has not taken up acting since Love in Nepal, but has recently been said to be involved in another film as a lead actor. The film, called Ankhon Ankhon Mein, is about a blind singer.^[17]

Television[link]

Sonu Nigam was the host of Sa Re Ga Ma from 1 May 1995 to 1999. He was the first host.^[18] He returned on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L'il Champs International as a judge with Suresh Wadkar in October 2007. Nigam was a celebrity judge on the Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Mega Challenge grand finale on 12 December, 2009 which marked the 1000th episode.

He hosted the TV show Kisme Kitna Hai Dum on Star Plus in 2002.

Nigam appeared as the judge for Indian Idol in season 1 (October 2004–March 2005) and season 2 (November 2005–April 2006). He was a celebrity judge in season 3 (17 August 2007) and season 4 (16 January 2009 and 6 February 2009).

He also appeared as a celebrity judge on Amul STAR Voice of India in August 2007 (Season 1) and in December 2008 (Season 2) and on the grand finale of music reality show Jo Jeeta Wohi Super Star on 12 July 12, 2008.

Nigam was a judge/mentor on Chhote Ustaad - Do Deshon Ki Ek Awaaz (July 2010–October 2010) with Rahat Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.

Nigam lend his voice for the lead character, Aladdin in the Hindi translated version of Aladdin animated movie.^[19]

He was a judge/mentor on the first season of X Factor (India) (May 29, 2011 – September 2, 2011) along with Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Shreya Ghoshal.^[18]

Future projects[link]

Nigam is working on an English album called Spirit Unfolding.^[20]

He is working on a project called Time Travel, wherein his voice will be aligned with recordings of other singers in Hindi songs.^[21]

In Kannada[link]

Sonu Nigam’s first Kannada song was in the year 1996 from the film Jeevanadi starring South Super Star Dr. Vishnuvardhan and the song was ‘Ello Yaro Hego’ composed by Music director Koti and written by Kannada’s very popular lyricist R.N.Jayagopal.^[22] Sonu Nigam has sung almost 600 Kannada songs until date ^[23] and has also won filmfares, Kannada television awards etc for his Kannada blockbuster songs. Though he sang hit songs initially like ‘Cheluve Yeke Bande’ from the film Majnu composed by Gurukiran,^[24] ‘Usire Usire’ from Huccha composed by Rajesh Ramnath,^[25] Title track from the film Monalisa composed by Valisa Sandeep,^[26] Hamsave Hamsave from the film Gatti mela composed by Hamsalekha,^[27] Kannale Kannale from the film Aham Premasmi composed by V.Ravichandran,^[28] Baaninda Baa Chandira from the movie Kanti composed by Gurukiran,^[29] it was in 2006 blockbuster film Mungaru Male that created a sensation and several records, mainly in Karnataka ^[30][31][32] that Sonu Nigam shot to fame. The songs not only created records of highest sales and downloads, but the film too set a national record on December 29, 2007 of having completed 1 whole year at the PVR Cinemas Bengaluru. This was the first time in the history of any multiplexes in the national level that an India language film has had a one whole year run at the box office where films keep changing every week.^[33][34][35] The songs Mungaru Maleye and Anisuthide were composed by Mano Murthy and written by Yogaraj Bhat and Jayant Kaikini respectively. He never looked back from then. Sonu Nigam became a sensation in the South and is called the Golden Singer of Karnataka and he himself says that he finds Kannada songs more fulfilling than the Hindi numbers.^[36][37][38] Sonu Nigam, in a recent interview to the Deccan Herald news paper has said ‘Kannada songs make me feel positive’.^[39]

After that, his blockbuster hits like Kanaso Idu, Ade Bhoomi Ade Baanu, Ee Sanje Yaakaagide, Ninna Gungalle, Maayavi Maayavi, Gelathi Neeniruvaaga, Ello Maleyaagide, Ninnindale Ninnindale, Male Ninthu Hoda Mele, Aaramagi Idde naanu, Maayavaagide manassu, Maathinalli helalaarenu, Odi Bandenu, Ninnanne Nodutha, Athi Aparoopa, Udisuve Belakina Seereya, Nooraru Preethi Maathu, Janumada Jodi, Minchaagi Neenu, Jeeva Kaleva, Onde Samane, Neeralli Sanna, Eradu Jadeyannu, Hethavalalla Avalu, Yaava Seemeya, Ellavannu Heluvaase, Nudisale, Nodutha Nodutha, Nee Sanihake Bandare, Yeno Helabeku, Maleyali Jotheyali, Paravasha, Maanasa Gange, Gup Chup, Modada Olage, Aaakasha Neene, Dil Khush, Kan Kanna Salige, Maathu Nannolu, Neenendare Nannolage, Neenendare Nanage Ishta, Ille Ille Ello, Ninna Kannallide, Summane Yaake Bande, Hrudayave Bayaside Ninnane, Ee Sanje Mabbu Raathri, Ee Janmavu, Ninna Nodalentho, Enaagali Munde, Putta Putta Kai, Munduduva, Kannaliddare Kanassu, Gaaliye Nodu Baa, Ninninda Haaganthe, Bhoomi Suthodu, Onde Samane Mididide Ee Manassu, Hrudayavu Ninnade, Maleya Haniyalli, Ommomme Yaako, Preethiyali Haaduve Ninagoskara, Ondooral Oblu Cheluve, Kaddu Nodala, Mathe Mathe Ninna, Enaaytho Adeneyatho, Sanju Mathu Geetha, Jotheyalli Nee Baaro, O Gunavantha, Baa Maleye Baa, Dhim Dhim, Nijaana Naanenaa, Koncha Hunnime, chalisuvaa cheluve, Ee Bisilali, Midiva Ninna Hrudayadalli, Onde Ninna Nota Saaku and many more have struck the chord with the audience in such a way that he has a very huge fan following in Karnataka.^[40][41][42]

And with the same record breaking Mungaru Male combination, Music Director Mano Murthy, lyricist Jayant Kaikini and Sonu Nigam got together with the Kannada album Neene Bari Neene produced by Ashok Kheny. All songs from the album were big hits. Especially the two songs Neene Bari Neene and Baa Nodu Gelathi that were shot in the outskerts of Bengaluru featuring Sonunigam and Model Madhuri Bhattacharya in the lead.^[43][44] Sonu Nigam also composed a theme song for the Karnataka Bulldozer's team in the Celebrity Cricket League. The song was sung by Sonu Nigam himself, Kunal Ganjawala and Sowmya Raoh, who also penned the lyrics.^[45]

Dubbing career[link]

Sonu Nigam is also in the Dubbing Industry on where he voices certain roles in Hindi from foreign films, especially Hollywood films.

Dubbing Roles[link]

Animated Films[link]

Personal life and voluntary work[link]

Sonu Nigam during a Peace Rally in Mumbai on 20th November 2011

Sonu Nigam comes from a merchant family. Born to Agam Kumar Nigam and Shobha Nigam on 30 July 1973 in Faridabad, Haryana, India, he attended the J.D. Tytler School. He has two sisters, Meenal and Neekita. In the last few years his father has released several hit albums including "Bewafaai" and "Phir Bewafaai" and, more recently, "Bewafaai ka Aalam". Neekita is also an upcoming singer and has several songs and awards to her name, both in Hindi and Kannada. Sonu married Madhurima on 15 February 2002.^[47] They have a son, Nevaan, born in 2007.^[48] Nevaan is also very interested in music and has recently recorded a song with Lata Mangeshkar.

Sonu Nigam practices fitness and yoga exercises, and has trained in Taekwondo.^[1] He claims to be spiritual rather than religious.^[49]

Nigam has done work for various charities in India as well as abroad for Dignity Foundation, various cancer organizations, leprosy organizations, blindness organizations, women's welfare organizations, kargil war affected families, earthquake affected families. He also sponsors a child from the organization “Crayon”.^[1] He has made various appearances in the cause of HIV / AIDS and also has a song titled "Papa I'm sorry" relating to this. He has also released several songs and made several contributions to the cause of peace between India and Pakistan.

Awards and nominations[link]

Following are the awards and nominations for Sonu Nigam^[50]

• National Film Awards
  • 2004 - Won - National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer - "Kal Ho Naa Ho" - Kal Ho Naa Ho

• Filmfare Awards
  • 1997 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Sandese Aate Hain" - Border (with Roop Kumar Rathod)
  • 1999 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Ishq Bina" - Taal
  • 2000 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Tu Fiza Hain" - Fiza
  • 2000 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Panchhi Nadiyaan" - Refugee
  • 2001 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Suraj Hua Maddham" - Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham...
  • 2002 - Won - Best Male Playback Singer - "Saathiya" - Saathiya
  • 2003 - Won - Best Male Playback Singer - "Kal Ho Naa Ho" - Kal Ho Naa Ho
  • 2004 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Do Pal" - Veer-Zaara
  • 2004 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Main Hoon Na" - Main Hoon Na
  • 2004 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Tumse Milke Dil Ka" - Main Hoon Na
  • 2005 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Dheere Jalna" - Paheli
  • 2005 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Piyu Bole" - Parineeta
  • 2006 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna" - Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
  • 2007 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Main Agar Kahoon" - Om Shanti Om
  • 2008 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Inn Lamhon Ke" - Jodhaa Akbar
  • 2009 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Shukran Allah" - Kurbaan (with Salim Merchant)

• Filmfare Awards South
  • 2007 - Won - Best Male Playback Singer (Kannada) - "Ninnindale Ninnindale" - Milana
  • 2008 - Won - Best Male Playback Singer (Kannada) - "Eenagali Mundhe Saagu" - Mussanjemaatu ^[51]
  • 2008 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer (Kannada) - "Mayavagide Manasu" - Haage Summane
  • 2010 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer (Kannada) - "Hrudayave" - Krishnan Love Story

• Screen Awards
  • 1998 - Won - Best Male Pop Artist
  • 2000 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Panchhi Nadiyaan" - Refugee
  • 2001 - Won - Best Male Playback Singer - "Tanhayee" - Dil Chahta Hai
  • 2001 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Is Pyaar Ko Main Kya Naam Doon" - Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai
  • 2003 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Kal Ho Naa Ho" - Kal Ho Naa Ho
  • 2004 - Won - Best Male Playback Singer - "Tumse Milke Dil Ka" - Main Hoon Na
  • 2005 - Won - Best Male Playback Singer - "Dheere Jalna" - Paheli
  • 2006 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Baawri Piya Ki" - Babul

• International Indian Film Academy Awards
  • 2000 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Panchhi Nadiyaan" - Refugee
  • 2001 - Won - Best Male Playback Singer - "Suraj Hua Maddham" - Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham...
  • 2001 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "You Are My Soniya" - Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham...
  • 2002 - Won - Best Male Playback Singer - "Saathiya" - Saathiya
  • 2003 - Won - Best Male Playback Singer - "Kal Ho Naa Ho" - Kal Ho Naa Ho
  • 2004 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Main Hoon Na" - Main Hoon Na
  • 2005 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Piyu Bole" - Parineeta
  • 2006 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna" - Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
  • 2009 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "All Izz Well" - 3 Idiots

• Zee Cine Awards
  • 1997 - Won - Best Male Playback Singer - "Sandese Aate Hain" - Border ^†
  • 2001 - Won - Best Male Playback Singer – Male - "Suraj Hua Maddham" - Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham...
  • 2001 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Tanhayee" - Dil Chahta Hai
  • 2002 - Won - Best Male Playback Singer - "Saathiya" - Saathiya
  • 2003 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Kal Ho Naa Ho" - Kal Ho Naa Ho
  • 2004 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Main Hoon Na" - Main Hoon Na
  • 2005 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Piyu Bole" - Parineeta
  • 2005 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Dheere Jalna" - Paheli
  • 2006 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna" - Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
  • 2007 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Main Agar Kahoon" - Om Shanti Om

• MTV Immies
  • 2002 - Won - Best Male Playback Singer - "Saathiya" - Saathiya
  • 2003 - Won - Best Male Playback Singer - "Main Hoon Na" - Main Hoon Na
  • 2004 - Won - Best Pop Album - Chanda Ki Doli

• MTV Style Awards
  • 2003 - Style Icon 2003
  • 2005 - Style Icon 2005

• Anandalok Awards
  • 2004 - Best Male Playback Singer - Bandhan^[52]
  • 2005 - Best Pop Album - Chanda Ki Doli

• Annual Central European Bollywood Awards
  • 2007 - Won - Best Male Playback Singer - "Main Agar Kahoon" - Om Shanti Om
  • 2008 - Won - Best Male Playback Singer - "Inn Lamhon Ke Daaman Me" - Jodhaa Akbar
  • 2009 - Won - Best Male Playback Singer - "Shukran Allah" - Kurbaan

• Lions Gold Award
  • 2005 - Won - Best Male Playback Singer - "Main Hoon Na" - Main Hoon Na
  • 2008 - Won - Best Male Playback Singer - "Inn Lamhon Ke Daaman Me" - Jodhaa Akbar

• Indian Television Academy Award
  • 2005 - Best Male Singer - Miliee
  • 2008 - Best Male Singer - Amber Dhara
  • 2009 - Best Male Singer - Dill Mill Gayye

• Other Awards
  • 1997 - Ashirwad Award for Best Male Playback Singer - "Sandese Aate Hain" - Border
  • 1997 - Sansui Viewers' Choice Award for Best Male Singer - "Sandese Aate Hain" - Border
  • 2003 - Apsara Film Producers' Guild Award for Best Male Playback Singer - "Kal Ho Naa Ho" - Kal Ho Naa Ho
  • 2005 - Swaralaya Yesudas Award, for his outstanding performance in Music
  • 2005 - Teachers' Achievement Award
  • 2006 - Nominated - Global Indian Film Awards - Best Male Playback Singer - "Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna" - Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
  • 2010 - GIMA (Global Indian Music Award) for Best Live Performer (Male)^[53]
  • 2011 - GIMA (Global Indian Music Award) MTV MUSIC YOUTH ICON

Discography[link]

Filmography[link]

Nigam has acted in various films.

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Sonu Nigam

• Sonu Nigam at the Internet Movie Database
• Official site
• Sonu Nigam collaborates with Britney Spears

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (September 2011)

Shekhar Suman
Shekhar Suman at Jhalak Dikhla Jaa Bash
Born	Patna, Bihar, India
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1985 - present

Shekhar Suman is an Indian film actor and a television personality. He has also been featured as a singer on a music album. Suman married Alka Kapur on May 4, 1984, and has a son, Adhyayan Suman a Bollywood film actor.

Career[link]

He started his Bollywood career with the film Utsav opposite Rekha in September 1985.

On television, he was featured in the shows Dekh Bhai Dekh, Reporter, Wah janab,'chote babu' Andaz,Amar Prem 'aaha', 'main' 'vilayati babu'Movers n Shakers, Simply Shekhar and Carry On shekhar. The last three were primarily modelled on and adapted from The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. He hosted Film Deewane The Great Indian Comedy Show on Star One until February 2006 and appeared in some episodes of Dial One aur Jeeto on Sahara TV. He also did quiz shows including Nilaam Ghar on Zee Television and He-Man on Star One. He also hosted a show on Star News, Poll Khol for five years, which was a satire on the Indian politics, Comedy Circus I, Comedy ka maha muqabala, and Perfect Bride.

He was one of the judges of The Great Indian Laughter Challenge along with Navjot Singh Sidhu. This programme, a stand-up comedy contest, was the first of its kind on Indian television. However, Shekhar quit after the end of the third season due to differences with Sidhu. He became the judge of a rival comedy program Comedy Circus. He also hosted the show Jab Khelo SAB Khelo on SAB TV. He can be seen on Sony TV as a participant in Jhalak Dikhlaja.

He made his singing debut with a music album named Kuch Khwaab Aise, a collection of eight love ballads whose music was composed by Aadesh Srivastava and lyrics written by Shyam Raj. In December 2009, he appeared as a participant on a reality TV series, Raaz Pichhle Janam Ka based on past life regression.^[1][2][3]

He has also appeared as a judge in the reality TV show Lux Perfect Bride.

Filmography[link]

This biographical section of an article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (December 2011)

Television[link]

Film[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Shekhar Suman at the Internet Movie Database

Sunidhi Chauhan
Sunidhi Chauhan at the launch of Indian Idol 6.
Background information
Birth name	Nidhi Chauhan
Born	(1983-08-14) 14 August 1983 (age 28) New Delhi, India
Genres	playback singing, Indipop
Occupations	Singer
Instruments	Vocalist
Years active	1996–present

Sunidhi Chauhan (born Nidhi Chauhan^[1] on 14 August 1983) is an Indian playback singer, best known for her Hindi film songs in Bollywood. She has also recorded songs for Marathi, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Bhojpuri, Bengali, Assamese and Gujarati films .^[2]

Chauhan began to sing at the age of four^[3] and was discovered by a local TV anchor.^[4] She won recognition through a televised singing contest, Meri Awaz Suno, which she won, and made her entrance into playback singing with the Hindi film Shastra.^[4]