One of the most popular Indian playback singers, Sonu Nigam celebrated his 50th birthday on Sunday with much fanfare. The talented singer, who was born on 30 July 1973, hosted a lavish birthday party in Mumbai on Saturday, which saw the presence of who’s who of the entertainment industry. As he enters the 50th year of his life, let us take a look at Nigam’s top 5 soulful songs whose popularity cut across all ages.
“Sandese Aate Hai” from Border
This patriotic song from the 1997 film Border, directed by J. P. Dutta, leaves a big lump in the throat every time one listens to it. Nigam’s voice beautifully describes the pain of Indian soldiers on the border who have not seen their families for months. The heart-touching song, which became the nation’s anthem at the time of the film’s release, is still popular among listeners of all age groups.
“Suraj Hua Maddham” from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham
If we talk about one of the best sensuous songs ever filmed, “Suraj Hua Maddham” from Karan Johar’s Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham must find a mention on the list. While Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik’s mellifluous voices made it an all-time blockbuster, Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol’s hot pairing was also one of the major highlights of the dreamy song. He walked away with Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer for the song.
“Saathiya” from Saathiya
Composed by AR Rahman, “Saathiya” is the romantic title track from the 2002 film of the same name. Nigam sang the song with Dominique Cerejo and Clinton Cerejo and it shows his versatility as a singer. The complex melody by Rahman, along with deep lyrics by Gulzar made this love ballad an instant hint among listeners.
“Kal Ho Naa Ho” from Kal Ho Naa Ho
The title track of Nikkhil Advani’s Kal Ho Naa Ho sums up the entire emotional journey of the film’s lead pair Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta. The lyrics, penned by Javed Akhtar, talk about the philosophy of living in the present and cherishing every moment of life, and Nigam does justice to each and every word of the song. The singer won Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer, for the song.
“Do Pal” from Veer-Zaara
“Do Pal” from Yash Chopra’s 2004 film Veer-Zaraa remains one of the most popular songs Nigam sang along with the late legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar. The highlight of the song was that it was composed on a melody that the late composer Madan Mohan had composed a couple of decades ago. The song features Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.