Sonu Nigam reveals why he sang Mohammed Rafi during surgery: ‘These songs are close to my heart’

Singer Sonu Nigam surprised fans online by performing Mohammed Rafi's song Suhani Raat Dhal Chuki while undergoing surgery. Nigam shared the video on Instagram, dedicating it to his surgeon, Dr. Nilesh Satbhai, and the medical team. He described the impromptu performance as the "Joy of Music." Fellow singers, including Shreya Ghoshal and Mika Singh, praised his dedication and wished him a speedy recovery.

Nigam revealed in an interview with Hindustan Times that his surgeon, a fan of his music, had been playing his songs during the procedure. The doctor began playing one of Nigam's songs without vocals, and the singer began singing along. The doctors were astonished, as they had never had a patient sing to them during an operation before.

The recording was made by the medical staff, who later shared the clip publicly. Nigam's surgery addressed a recurring growth on his left ring finger, which had returned after being removed four months earlier. He believes it may be related to an underlying arthritis condition, though this is unconfirmed. Nigam stated that there is no fixed treatment plan yet, as the growth has returned a second time, and his doctors are taking a wait-and-see approach.

Despite being unwell, Nigam has continued working quickly, attending events and performing shortly after his surgery. Rafi's music has always held personal significance for Nigam, who considers him his guru and describes his music as a vital part of his upbringing as a singer.