The playback singer took to Instagram on Thursday to clarify the origin of the clip after coming across the edited video. Sharing the post with his followers, Nigam explained that the footage had been taken from an original video in which he was reacting to the singing of a young Pakistani girl.
Sonu Nigam Explains the Original Footage
According to Nigam, the original recording had nothing to do with Salman Khan. The clip was later edited and combined with footage of Salman’s song ‘Main Hoon Hero Tera’, creating a misleading impression about what Nigam was reacting to.
Alongside the video, the singer wrote a brief note about the incident. “Can expect the unexpected on internet,” he said, adding that the reaction seen in the original footage was for “a Pakistani little girl singer.”
His clarification makes clear that the expression shown in the circulated clip was taken out of its original context. The edited version therefore does not represent Nigam’s reaction to Salman Khan’s singing.
Long Professional Association With Salman Khan
Sonu Nigam and Salman Khan have been associated professionally for several decades, with their collaboration dating back to the 1990s. One notable example is ‘Jaane Kya Hua Hai’, a song featuring Salman on screen and Nigam as the playback singer.
Their professional history has also included periods when reports emerged about differences between the two. In the mid-2010s, around the release of ‘Main Hoon Hero Tera’, reports about a possible fallout received attention in the entertainment media.
The song was part of a period when several Bollywood actors were increasingly experimenting with singing for films, adding another dimension to discussions surrounding playback singing.
Nigam’s Views on Actors Becoming Singers
Over the years, Nigam has spoken about actors taking up singing in Bollywood. His comments have generally reflected a distinction between appreciating an actor’s interest in music and recognising the specialised demands of professional singing.
Nigam has acknowledged that actors can explore music and has expressed respect for those who choose to do so. At the same time, he has stressed that playback singing requires extensive training, regular practice and a strong understanding of vocal performance.
He has also questioned the need for actors to record songs when trained playback singers are available. His broader argument has focused on the technical and expressive demands of singing, which can require skills different from those developed through acting.
Edited Content Can Change the Original Context
The latest clarification comes as another reminder that short clips shared online can sometimes present material without its original context. In this case, Nigam directly identified the source of the footage and explained how it had been combined with unrelated material.
Rather than being an authentic recording of his response to Salman Khan’s song, the circulated video was created by stitching together footage from separate sources. Nigam’s Instagram post sought to correct that impression and provide viewers with the context behind his original reaction.