Criticizing Bollywood for giving Pakistani singers more opportunities than their local talent, Indian singer Sonu Nigam in a recent event that he wished he was from Pakistan because then at least he would get singing offers from India.
Addressing the audience at Agenda Aaj Tak 2018, the 45-year-old playback singer expressed his disapproval about Pakistani singers getting offers to work in India in a rather sardonic tone. “Sometimes, I feel like it would be better if I was from Pakistan. At least I would get offers from India,” he said.
“Nowadays, singers have to pay music companies for shows. If we don't shell the money, they will play songs sung by other singers and highlight them. Then, they will take money from them,” Sonu added, Indian media reported. Citing examples of Pakistani singers Atif Aslam and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Sonu further said that they were never asked to pay to sing at shows.
Following the obvious backlash by Indians, Nigam took to Facebook to clarify his statement. He accused journalists of making sensationalizing statements. “Sometimes in an attempt to make headlines catchy and sensational, some journalists miss the real content. My point about being better off being born in Pakistan was about the music companies in India asking Indian singers to pay 40-50% of their concerts remunerations to them, and only then they'll work with those artistes but they don't ask the same from the singers from abroad, namely Pakistan,” he wrote.