Sonu Nigam’s apology not accepted, KFCC seeks South film ban
Narasimhulu held a crucial meeting on Monday, during which it was decided that Nigam should no longer be engaged in any Kannada film project
Singer Sonu Nigam, who sparked a huge controversy by blaming a Kannada song request from a fan for incidents like the Pahalgam terror attack, is now facing the prospect of stricter action from the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC).
Even though Nigam has expressed regret and apologized for his statement, it has not been accepted. The KFCC has indicated that there will be pressure to impose a ban on Nigam from the South Indian film industry as well.
Also read: ‘Love bigger than ego’: Sonu Nigam apologises for Kannada-Pahalgam remark
Stern warning about possible actions
In an exclusive interview with The Federal Karnataka on Tuesday (May 6) on the controversy, Narasimhulu — who is both the president of the KFCC and vice-president of the South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce (SIFCC) — issued a stern warning about the possible actions.
“I have written to the president of the SIFCC regarding the insult Sonu Nigam has caused to Karnataka. The SIFCC includes the film chambers of Karnataka, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala. I have appealed to the SIFCC president to ensure that Sonu Nigam’s songs are not allowed in films across all these states,” Narasimhulu stated.
Also read: Police summon Sonu Nigam for questioning over Kannada-Pahalgam remark
Protests and complaints
The controversy erupted recently at a music concert in Bengaluru when Nigam, reacting to a fan repeatedly requesting a Kannada song, made a controversial remark suggesting that such insistence leads to incidents like the Pahalgam terror attack.
Sonu Nigam’s statement triggered outrage among Kannada organizations, with protests erupting and complaints being filed against him in various police stations, including Avalahalli in Bengaluru. Police have also issued notices regarding the matter.
Also read: Group of boys in audience threatened me to sing in Kannada: Sonu Nigam after FIR
No tolerance for insult to Kannada
Amid the intensifying controversy, Narasimhulu held a crucial meeting on Monday, after which it was decided that Nigam should no longer be engaged in any Kannada film project. The decision was taken to impose a complete ban on him in the Kannada film industry.
Supporting the decision, Karnataka’s Minister for Kannada and Culture, Shivaraj Tangadagi, remarked that actors and artistes insulting Kannada will no longer be tolerated. He welcomed the action taken by the Kannada film industry against Sonu Nigam.
(This story originally appeared in The Federal Karnataka)