Ask Kannada stars not to dub movies in Hindi: Sonu Nigam dares MP Surya

Amid raging controversy over the heated altercation between an SBI staffer and a customer over speaking Kannada, Bollywood singer Sonu Nigam has added fuel to the fire. Nigam, who was earlier in the eye of the storm following alleged remarks that hurt Kannadiga sentiments, entered into a social media spat with BJP MP Tejasvi Surya who emphasized that officials working in Karnataka should interact with the public in the local language. He made the remarks when the SBI controversy flared up.

‘Speak to US clients in Kannada’

Reacting to the MP’s comment that “banks working in Karnataka should serve customers in Kannada. Period,” Nigam poked fun at the Bengaluru South MP, saying it should also be made mandatory for software companies in Karnataka to interact with their US clients in Kannada.

“Kannada language should also be made mandatory in software companies. If American clients want to get their projects done in Karnataka, they should also speak in Kannada. There should be no compromise on this,” posted Nigam on X on Wednesday (May 21).

Also Read: Kannada row: Sonu Nigam moves Karnataka HC seeking quashing of criminal case

‘Don’t dub Kannada movies in Hindi’

The singer went one step further and questioned Surya’s commitment to the Kannada language. The singer dared Surya whether he had the courage to tell Kannada film stars not to dub their movies into Hindi and not to release their movies across the country.

“Don't dub Kannada movies in Hindi! Don't release Kannada movies pan-India! Do you have the guts to say this to Kannada film stars, Mr. Tejasvi_Surya, or are you just another language warrior?” stated Nigam.

Also Read: Sonu Nigam’s apology not accepted, KFCC seeks South film ban

“Dividing country on linguistic lines’

In another post on X, Nigam even tagged Prime Minister Narendra Modi, referring to his slogan of “One India, Great India,” and asked if Tejaswi Surya would be able to talk to the people of Bihar in Bhojpuri, Maithili, Magahi, Bajjika, Thethi, or Angika during the Assembly elections in the state. Nigam also accused the MP of trying to divide the people along the lines of language.

“During the Bihar elections, will Tejaswi ji be able to talk to people in Bhojpuri, Maithili, Magahi, Bajjika, Thethi or Angika? Honourable Prime Minister @narendramodi talks about 'One India, Great India' and people like him are trying to divide the country based on language and regionalism,” said Nigam.

His comments come after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah condemned the incident at the SBI branch and said that all bank officials should treat customers with “dignity” and try their best to “speak in the local language”.

Also Read: ‘Love bigger than ego’: Sonu Nigam apologises for Kannada-Pahalgam remark

Earlier controversy

This is not the first time Nigam has courted controversy over his contentious remarks. A pro-Kannada group lodged an FIR against him after his controversial remarks at an event in Bengaluru on April 22 that allegedly hurt the sentiments of Kannadigas. Facing severe backlash, Nigam on May 5 publicly apologised saying “Sorry Karnataka… My love is bigger than my ego.”