Remember that almost Oscar-winning performance by Sonu Nigam from 'Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani'?
Artists like Ashutosh Gowariker first wanted to be actors, and when they failed (commercially), they changed their path and became something else, like a director. Gowariker is now celebrated for his direction, and we know his story well. Many others who initially aspired to become actors eventually found themselves working as PR professionals, marketing specialists, and others. On the other hand, some like Himesh Reshammiya became popular as singers first, and then used that fame to transition into acting. Sonu Nigam’s story is a combination of many things. Long before he became Bollywood's favourite playback singer, he was a child artist whose charm had already begun to win hearts. Later, he dreamt of becoming a leading man in Hindi cinema and appeared in several films. However, his acting stint didn’t quite make a mark, and most of his roles ended up forgotten. But his voice was unstoppable. He became one of India’s most celebrated singers, delivering countless unforgettable songs. Today, while his acting career remains a lesser-known part of his journey, it’s still an important chapter in his artistic life.
So, on his birthday, let’s revisit some of those forgotten roles where Sonu Nigam tried to make his mark as an actor.
Born on July 30, 1973, in Faridabad, Sonu Nigam grew up surrounded by music. His father, Agam Kumar Nigam, was a professional singer who often performed at weddings and stage shows. Naturally, young Sonu followed suit. At just four years old, he sang Mohammed Rafi’s “Kya Hua Tera Wada” at a gathering in Jind and stole the show.
But his first steps into Bollywood weren’t through the recording studio. They were on film sets. His acting journey started with the 1980 film 'Pyaara Dushman'. In 1982, he appeared as the younger version of Mithun Chakraborty’s character in 'Ustadi Ustad Se'. The following year, he played young Sunny Deol in 'Betaab', the blockbuster that launched Deol’s career. That same year, he also showed up as the child version of Shatrughan Sinha in 'Taqdeer' and once again portrayed a young Mithun in 'Humse Hai Zamana'. In 'Kaamchor', he was cast as Rakesh Roshan’s nephew, and he had a role in 'Pitra' as well.
While these were small parts, they weren’t forgettable. His natural ease on screen, expressive eyes, and the innocence he brought to each role caught attention. These early roles offered him an up-close education in the world of cinema, working alongside the likes of Dharmendra and Sinha at an age when most kids were learning multiplication tables.
Even then, music was always nearby. While acting on-screen, he continued singing off it, often accompanying his father on gigs. Without knowing it, Sonu was laying the foundation for what would eventually become his true calling.
By the early 2000s, Sonu Nigam’s voice was everywhere from patriotic anthems like “Sandese Aate Hain” to romantic ballads like “Yeh Dil Deewana.” But even with his soaring music career, the acting bug hadn’t left him. Between 2002 and 2004, he made his move from playback booths to movie sets again, this time as a leading man. The films didn’t quite take off, but they remain a curious part of his journey.
Directed by Rajkumar Kohli, this film was a wild cocktail of horror, reincarnation, and CGI snakes, with a shape-shifting serpent woman (Manisha Koirala) out for revenge. Sonu Nigam played Vivek, one of the many doomed characters in an ensemble cast that included Sunny Deol, Akshay Kumar, and Armaan Kohli. Amidst flying snakes and dramatic vengeance, Sonu tried to hold his ground. His screen time was limited, but he tried to bring sincerity to his performance even when the script didn't help much. He also sang for the film, including the number “Saansein Meri Saansein.” Critics and audiences alike had a field day mocking the film’s unintentional comedy and outdated special effects, but over time, 'Jaani Dushman' has earned a bizarre sort of cult status, mostly for its meme-worthy moments.
Sonu Nigam after the release of 'Jaani Dushman' (in a parallel universe).
Kash Aap Hamare Hote
This Ravindra Peepat-directed melodrama had all the ingredients of an old-school weepy (misunderstandings, evil stepmothers, lost love) with Sonu starring as Jai, a young man hopelessly in love with Amrita (played by Juhi Babbar), battling the forces that try to keep them apart. Sonu leaned into the emotional tone of the role, and his expressions carried the tenderness you’d expect from someone who built a career evoking emotion through voice. But the outdated narrative and lack of cinematic finesse made it hard for even a heartfelt performance to land. The film didn’t do well commercially or critically, but audiences gave Sonu credit for trying, and for the title song, which he sang himself and which turned out to be far more memorable than the film. Juhi Babbar, daughter of actor Raj Babbar, also made her debut here, but despite the fresh pairing, the movie quickly faded from public memory.
Directed by Rajat Mukherjee (of 'Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya' fame) and shot extensively in Nepal, this film had Sonu playing Abby, a charming, carefree ad executive who finds himself entangled in a whodunit after falling for a mysterious woman, Maxi (Flora Saini). Of all his lead roles, this one gave Sonu the most room to play with. His comic timing showed promise, and he seemed more at ease with the camera. But the plot veered unevenly between rom-com and thriller, and the story lost steam midway. The movie disappeared from theaters just as quickly as it arrived, though critics were kinder this time, acknowledging that Sonu had improved and even had potential, but was let down by the film’s shaky writing. The track “Mujhe Tujhse,” sung by Sonu and Anuradha Paudwal, was among the few things that stood out. After this film, Sonu gradually stepped away from acting ambitions.
Sonu Nigam wasn’t the first singer to try his hand at acting, and he won’t be the last. But more than his forgettable performances, it was the films themselves that didn’t support his efforts. From convoluted plots to outdated storytelling, each project seemed stuck in a time warp. Moreover, Sonu had a soulful presence, better suited for the ears than for the big-screen bravado Bollywood tends to demand. He brought emotion, but lacked the larger-than-life screen persona needed to command a commercial film. Meanwhile, his singing career was soaring. Between 2001 and 2004, he delivered back-to-back hits like “Suraj Hua Maddham,” “Saathiya,” and the timeless “Kal Ho Naa Ho.” Awards followed, including the National Film Award and multiple Filmfare trophies. For audiences and filmmakers alike, Sonu was already a star, just not in the way he had originally envisioned. He accepted this reality and chose wisely: to go where his talent truly belonged.
After 2004, Sonu Nigam began scaling back acting offers and poured his energy into music... and what a run it’s been! Whether it was a romantic ballad like “Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin” ('Agneepath', 2012) or a devotional hymn, Sonu’s versatility made him a household name across generations. His voice carried the weight of love, loss, joy, and heartbreak, often all in one song. By 2022, he had received the Padma Shri for his contribution to Indian music. He had sung over 6,000 songs across more than 30 languages, from Hindi to Kannada to Nepali. He became a global ambassador for Indian music, not just a playback singer. Outside the studio, he reinvented himself as a popular host (Sa Re Ga Ma Pa), reality show judge (Indian Idol), and even music entrepreneur with his label I Believe Music. If acting didn’t give him the stardom he craved, music made him immortal.
Happy Birthday, Sonu Ji!
