Anisuthide Yaako Indu – Sonu Nigam's Kannada Karmic Konnection

“As a singer I perform in a lot of places. I go to a lot of countries. Lot of places in India itself. I made a pact with Kannadigas. Even if there is one single Kannadiga sitting in the audience... That one single person asks me to sing 'Mungaru Male' in Kannada, I'll sing that. I'll sing at least the mukhda, the mukhda of 'Anisuthide Yaako Indu.' That's a pact. I never let them go disappointed. That's how much I appreciate being a Kannada singer.”

September 2012. National College Grounds, Bengaluru. Sonu Nigam Concert. Looking debonair in black, Sonu is singing, 'Yeh Raat Bheegi-Bheegi,' from the famous Bollywood movie Chori-Chori of yesteryears. He sings four lines of the song, pauses, then dropping his voice a couple of decibels, quietly sings three little words. The moment those three words are out of his mouth, the crowd erupts. It goes berserk. Giving his audience a smile that would melt the stoniest of hearts, Sonu proceeds to sing a couple of lines of the song, 'Chand Chupa Badal Mein.' And then, again drops the three little words, ever so softly. The audience goes wild yet again. And again. And again. Every time he utters those three little words...

The three little magic words, that send the audience into such a frenzy are - 'Anisuthide Yaako Indu.'

Late December 2005. Movie director Yogaraj Bhat, asks Mano Murthy to compose the music for his next film called Mungaru Male. As Mano Murthy is in the States, all discussions pertaining to the lyrics and music of the movie's soundtrack take place over the phone and emails. And while Mano Murthy is composing the music of the film in the US, the shooting of the film is taking place in India. 

Sometime towards the end of August 2006, Mano Murthy returns to India and records the music for the song 'Anisuthide.' He  requests Lata Mangeshkar to listen to the tune. She suggests Sonu's name for the song. 

Sonu is at the peak of his career in the Hindi film world at the time. There is not a single Bollywood movie released during this period, that doesn't have at least one song sung by him. On the other hand, he only has a handful of Kannada songs to his credit. Nevertheless, he agrees to sing the song. As Sonu doesn't understand even an iota of Kannada, there are a few hiccups with the diction initially. Like  pronouncing anisuthide as hanisuthide. 

However, these minor problems are soon ironed out. The song is filmed against lush monsoon backdrops (mungaru male means monsoon rains). Many Kannadigas hence associate it with the romance of the rains.

In November 2006, the album is released. 'Anisuthide' is an instant hit. The hysteria with which it is received takes everyone by surprise. “It was shocking,” says Sonu. “It only confirmed my belief that if you did anything with honesty and sincerity, you will taste success.”

Yes, the success of 'Anisuthide' as well as the movie is unprecedented. It is one of the first Kannada films to gross over Rs. 50 crores at the box office, which is rare at the time. The song sees a record number of sales and downloads and its ringtone mania is part of the early mobile revolution in India.

The movie sets a national record of sorts by completing one whole year of screening at a multiplex, where films usually change every week. Mungaru Male, with 'Anisuthide' as its crown jewel, is widely regarded as a turning point in Kannada cinema. It breaks the myth that only films with big stars can run. Instead, it shows that a strong script and soul-stirring music can carry a film to massive success.

Almost all Kannadigas know the lyrics of this song, whether living in Karnataka or abroad. In fact even the North Indians living in Bengaluru know all the words. Some Kannadigas say “Anisuthide made Sonu one of us.” This song cemented him not as an outsider playback singer, but as a beloved Kannada voice.

“One fine day I heard one of my movies became so big and the songs became so popular, it changed the face of Kannada film industry. And I'm proud to be a part of it.” says Sonu. “I don't want to take unnecessary and undue credit for it that I worked very hard for it. No. I work hard in all my songs. The result is in the hands of the Almighty. So it happened. I was destined to be a part of this movie.”

Keep smiling friends. Life is beautiful. Cherish each moment. 

Har pal yahaan, jee bhar jiyo...

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