The Padma Awards 2025 winners were recently announced, and singer Arijit Singh had made it to the list. While many congratulated the Kesariya singer, it is Sonu Nigam who is in news for making a controversial statement on why several musical artists in India never got Padma awards despite being talented. The singer took to his Instagram page and shared a video, which is buzzing with mixed reactions.

In his video, Sonu Nigam questions why Kishore Kumar never got a Padma Shri and why singers Alka Yagnik and Shreya Ghoshal, who have been singers for years, weren’t even considered.

The singer said, “Do aise singers hai jinhone poore duniya ke singers ko inspire kiya hai. Ek ko toh humne Padma Shri pe hi simtaa diya hai, woh hai Mohammed Rafi sahab. Aur ek hai jinko Padma Shri bhi naseeb nahi hua hai, Kishore Kumar ji. Posthumously award mil rahe hai na (There are two singers who have inspired singers all over the world. We have limited one of them with the Padma Shri award, that’s Mohammad Rafi. The other one didn’t even get a Padma Shri, Kishore Kumar. Awards are being given posthumously, right)?”

In the same video, the Kal Ho Naa Ho singer added, “Aur jo hai bhi unme se Alka Yagnik ji, itna lamba aur kamaal ka career raha hai, unhe kuch nahi mila abhi tak. Shreya Ghoshal, bohot samay se apni kala ka loha banwa rahi hai. Unko bhi milna chahiye. Sunidhi Chauhan, unhone bhi ek poore generation ko inpire kiya hai apni alag si awaaz se. Unhe bhi kuch nahi mila abhi tak (Among the current singers, Alka Yagnik had such a long and phenomenal career, she has not received the award yet. Shreya Ghoshal, who is also quite brilliant should be honoured. Sunidhi Chauhan has inspired an entire generation with her powerful voice. She also hasn’t received anything yet).”

Sonu Nigam shared the video with the caption that read, “India and it’s pending Padma Awardees.” In the comments, some agreed with him, while some have defended Arijit Singh. One comment reads, “So true @sonunigamofficial bhai… Good that you spoke abt this too.. Coming from you will definitely make a difference… I hope this reaches the people who decide the Padma Awards…” A user commented, “Everything is fine.. Glad you have said such things.. But you should have congratulate arijit singh in this video.. Beacause the names you have taken they all are legends and very well deserving. But arijit singh is not less than anyone.. He is also well deserving. He is a legend also.. Didn’t expected this from a legend like you.”

“Sir I respect u so much as always but why I’m feeling jealous on ur worlds . I know you are talking totally about Arijit singh he padmshri shree so perfectly in the right time and I think he deserves this. And now in this generation no near of his singing level . I mean he is just king . Ye aap kishore kumar aur mohmmad rafi ko chhod ke jo bhi singer bole ho vo koi bhi singing mein Arijit ke aas-paas bhi nai hai . Aap hi batao vo baaki singer har ek genre ko ga sakte hain kya with needed vocal texture ?? Classically trained bhi nai hai Arijit sir ki taraha. Time doesn’t matter that how much time u have spent with the industry knowledge and perfection matter karata hai that’s why Arijit Singh 15 se king hai . He can play mostly all instruments such as tabla,vina ,sitar , guitar, piano , harmonium and many more . Tell me any one jo aapne video mein bola hai unme se koi ye sab baja sakte hain . Yahi sab ke liye Arijit Singh ko padmshri mila hai aur ye bilkul right hai . Now this generation he was absolutely deserves,” a fan posted while slamming Sonu’s video.

Some comments also mentioned that late singer Krishnakumar Kunnath aka KK should’ve received the Padma award too. Sonu Nigam was honoured with the Padma Shri award in 2022 by former President Ram Nath Kovind.

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