Sonu Nigam’s Birthday: A Look Back at His Disguised Street Musician Act

New Delhi: Today marks the 51st birthday of Sonu Nigam, one of the most cherished voices in the Hindi film industry. Over the past three decades, Sonu has won the hearts of millions with his soulful and versatile singing. Among the many highlights of his illustrious career, one standout moment occurred in 2016 when he took on an unusual and touching experiment, transforming himself into a street musician. This experiment, called “The Roadside Ustaad,” was captured in a video released on Culture Machine’s digital channel Being Indian.

To blend in as an ordinary street performer, Sonu donned a fake beard, rugged attire, and sunglasses, successfully masking his identity. With a harmonium in hand, he stationed himself at a busy street corner in Juhu, Mumbai, and began singing the iconic title track from Kal Ho Naa Ho. The purpose of the experiment was to observe how the public would react to an unknown elderly man’s singing on the street.

As Sonu sang, his powerful voice captivated passersby. A crowd quickly gathered, drawn by the depth and emotion of his performance. The response from the audience was overwhelmingly positive; many stopped to listen, clapped, and even offered money in appreciation. One listener was so moved that he asked if he could record Sonu’s voice on his phone. The experiment highlighted the universal appeal of music, showing how it transcends social and cultural boundaries.

Reflecting on the experience, Sonu expressed how liberating it was to perform without the weight of his fame. He shared, “For the first time, I was not me. The makeup was so good and authentic that people standing so close to me couldn’t recognize.” This unique opportunity allowed him to connect with people purely through his music, without the influence of his celebrity status.

To commemorate his birthday this year, Sonu has planned a special celebration with his extended family, which includes his devoted fans. He will host a private screening of a documentary chronicling his February concert in Dubai. The documentary captures a particularly challenging time when Sonu lost his voice just days before the concert. Despite this setback, he managed to recover and deliver an extraordinary 3.5-hour performance in front of nearly 20,000 fans.