Entertainment · Music · 14 hrs ago
Sonu Nigam apologises to Kannadigas as protest over Bengaluru concert ends
Singer Sonu Nigam apologised to people in Karnataka over remarks he made about Kannada songs.
In April 2025, he linked a demand for Kannada songs to the Pahalgam attack, which upset some Kannadigas.
The dispute came ahead of his planned October 24 concert in Bengaluru.
Karnataka Rakshana Vedike chief T.A. Narayana Gowda spoke with Nigam before the singer posted a video apology.
Nigam said he was sorry if his words had hurt people and did not want the incident to damage his relationship with Karnataka.
Gowda said the group had no personal grudge against Nigam and withdrew its protest after his apology.
The group said Nigam was welcome to perform in Karnataka and encouraged him to sing more Kannada songs.
Sonu Nigam apologised to people in Karnataka over a remark that linked a request for a Kannada song to the Pahalgam attack.
The apology followed a conversation with Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) chief TA Narayana Gowda.
KRV ended its protest after Nigam apologised.
The organisation had urged Bengaluru Police to deny permission for Nigam’s concert in the city on October 24.
The controversy began after remarks at a Bengaluru concert in April 2025.
- Who
- Singer Sonu Nigam apologised to Kannadigas and KRV chief TA Narayana Gowda.
- What
- Nigam apologised over a remark linking a request for a Kannada song to the Pahalgam attack. KRV ended its protest.
- When
- The apology was reported on October 20, 2026; Nigam’s concert was scheduled for October 24.
- Where
- Bengaluru, Karnataka.
- Why
- KRV objected to Nigam’s earlier remark, which it said had hurt Kannadigas.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Nigam’s remark at a Bengaluru concert linking a request for a Kannada song to the Pahalgam attack sparked controversy.
Gowda said on X that Nigam had acknowledged the hurt caused by his remark and apologised.
Nigam’s apology was reported and KRV announced it was ending its protest.
Nigam’s Bengaluru concert was scheduled to take place.
- Singer
- Sonu Nigam
- Organisation
- Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV)
- KRV chief
- TA Narayana Gowda
- Concert date
- October 24, 2026
- Controversy began
- April 2025
- Location
- Bengaluru, Karnataka
3 sources
Sonu Nigam Issues Video Apology Over Pahalgam Remark, Pro-Kannada Group Ends Protest
Sonu Nigam apologises to Kannadigas over Pahalgam remark: ‘Don’t mind saying sorry 1,000 times’
'Don't Mind Saying Sorry 1,000 Times': Sonu Nigam Apologises To Kannadigas Over Pahalgam Remark Ahead Of Bengaluru Concert
What people are saying
When you love someone, and you want the relationship to stay, you don’t mind saying sorry 1000 times.
We just couldn’t digest that one statement.
Posts on X
ಗಾಯಕ ಸೋನು ನಿಗಮ್ ಇಂದು ನನ್ನೊಂದಿಗೆ ಮಾತಾಡಿದರು. ತಾವು ಹಿಂದೆ ಮಾಡಿದ ಒಂದು ಮಾತು ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರನ್ನು ಹೇಗೆ ನೋಯಿಸಿದೆ ಎಂಬುದು ಅವರಿಗೆ ಅರ್ಥವಾಗಿದೆ. ಬೇಷರತ್ತಾಗಿ ಕ್ಷಮೆ ಯಾಚಿಸುವುದಾಗಿ ಅವರು ಹೇಳಿದರು. ನಾನು ಹಿಂದೆಯೂ ಹೇಳಿದ್ದೇನೆ. ನಾವೆಲ್ಲರೂ ಸೋನು ನಿಗಮ್ ಅವರ ಹಾಡುಗಳನ್ನು ಇಷ್ಟಪಟ್ಟವರು. ಅವರ ಕುರಿತು ವೈಯಕ್ತಿಕವಾಗಿ ಯಾವ ದ್ವೇಷ,