Sonu Nigam never shies away from speaking his mind. Renowned for his soulful voice and authoritative stage presence, this playback singer was at the centre of a fresh controversy recently. This time, it is not a song but the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards that have become a discord for him.
The Jaipur IIFA 2025 ceremony made headlines with its lavish roster of performers and celebrity nominees. Nigam’s conspicuous absence from the nominations list, however, made eyebrows shoot up, and no one complained more loudly about it than the singer himself. On Instagram, Sonu Nigam posted a message as subtle as it was stinging.
Shepherding a selfie of a group of IIFA award nominees that comprised chartbuster greats Arijit Singh, Karan Aujla, Diljit Dosanjh, Baadshah, Jubin Nautiyal, and Mitraz, Sonu Nigam sported the incredulous remark: “Thanks IIFA. After all, you were accountable to the Rajasthan bureaucracy.“
The post was said to be a comparison of a recent occurrence when Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma departed mid-performance at a Rising Rajasthan event. Sonu Nigam had already reacted with dismay over this, saying such an act goes against respect towards artists and the effort put in by them.
Sonu Nigam’s friends, peers, and fans were soon to mobilize around him in his support. Music director Amaal Malik tweeted: “Such is the world that we live in. Mazaak banake rakh diya hai (They’ve made it into a mockery).” Jaan Kumar Sanu, Kumar Sanu’s son, joined in: “Dada, you are above these awards to be honest. We all love you.“
Fans chimed in too, with one writing: “You’ve surpassed these mere awards long back!” Another shared: “Your artistry cannot be measured by such ceremonies. You’re a living legend.”
Linking It All Back
The controversy didn’t stop with the Instagram post. Observers have connected the IIFA snub to the earlier incident involving Rajasthan’s Chief Minister. At the Rising Rajasthan event, Sonu Nigam called out the CM and other political leaders for leaving mid-performance.
In an emotional video on Instagram, Sonu Nigam spoke about the incident, stating:
“If you have to go, then don’t come back. Or leave before the show starts. Leaving in the middle of performance of an artist is extremely insulting. This is an insult to Goddess Saraswati.“
Referring to the early exit by the politicians, he further stated:
“Delegates would arrive from all over the globe to put Rajasthan on their map. There was a CM, youth minister, and sports minister. But during the course of the show, I realized that the CM and others had gone. Soon after they had gone, all the delegates had also gone. If you do not treat your artiste respectfully, how will others act?“
Sonu Nigam’s comments were connected to the larger issue—how political pressure and administrative pressure overwhelm talent in art. “You are good. You have plenty of work. But if you do not respect an artist’s effort and time, then this is not a loss for art. It’s yours,” he said.
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A Snub That Speaks Volumes
The IIFA scandal has initiated a debate about the fairness and credibility of Indian award functions. Sonu Nigam’s non-inclusion in the list of nominations surprises one when his iconic contribution to Bollywood’s music, like albums recently out, Mere Dholna 3.0 from Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, is taken into account. The single, focusing on the climactic high of the movie, received widespread appreciation because of soul-stirring lyrics and an unsettling tune.
Although Jubin Nautiyal received the Best Playback Singer award for this year for Dua in Article 370, there are a few who feel Nigam at least deserved to be nominated.
It is not the first instance when an artist politically criticized award politics. Sonu Nigam’s objection, however, extends beyond individual grievance—it is an illusion to an endemic problem of watering down actual talent.
The Bigger Picture of the Sonu Nigam Controversy
IIFA and Rajasthan political dynasty is not in question for just one artist or one award. Sonu Nigam’s remark has also triggered a larger debate about how awards are vulnerable to outside pressures and not talent.
Backing for the artist remains immense, with players in the industry and followers of music celebrating his boldness to speak up against perceived evils. Sonu Nigam’s action has not just reopened the question of the cleanliness of award programs but also raised the issue of artists’ sufferings in setting themselves up in a system which is infested with politics and red tape.
Final Notes
Sonu Nigam’s talent and success are not lessened by his not being nominated for an IIFA award. His defiant remark is a reminder that real respect for art is not in awards but in genuine appreciation and admiration.
As the storm rages on, one thing is certain: Sonu Nigam’s voice, whether in song or words, will never go unheard. Whether he is battling for the integrity of artists or deploring the halfway functionality of award nights, Sonu Nigam is a ray of hope for integrity in the music industry.
