Legendary playback singer Kumar Sanu, during his recent visit to Ahmedabad, opened up about several pressing topics including the need for celebrities to protect their personality rights in the age of artificial intelligence, his perspective on the heated nepotism debate, and the independent musical journeys of his talented daughters.
A Fondness for Ahmedabad and Its Flavours
Expressing his deep affection for the city of Ahmedabad, Kumar Sanu revealed that the warm and cheerful Gujarati audience is a major draw for him. He has performed in over 1,500 films and recorded approximately 26,000 songs, yet he finds a special connection with the listeners here who truly understand music. Beyond the adulation, it's the city's culinary delights that keep him coming back. He shared that he has many friends in Ahmedabad who ensure he gets to relish delicious fafda-jalebi on every visit. He emphatically stated that the vegetarian platter the city offers is simply the best.
The Imperative of Protecting Personality Rights from AI
Sanu recently joined a growing list of Bollywood celebrities who have approached the Delhi High Court to secure their personality rights. He explained the critical need for such legal intervention, highlighting the misuse of advanced technology. "AI is a great tool, but is being misused," Sanu stated. He pointed to a specific problem, revealing that there are 15 fake social media channels operating under his name without his consent. He expressed concern that while people devise new ways to earn money, many of these methods are illegal, making legal control necessary to stop such infringements.
Pride in His Daughters' Independent Success
The year 2025 has been particularly noteworthy for Sanu's elder daughter, Shannon K. She earned a spot among a select group of Indian artistes by performing at the prestigious Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, taking Indian music to a global platform. Speaking about her achievements, Sanu beamed with pride, emphasizing that Shannon is building her career entirely on her own merit. He clarified that while he can support her financially, his influence does not extend to Hollywood, where his name holds little sway. He also praised his younger daughter, who is a music composer and has created many songs for Shannon. Sanu feels immensely proud of having two such talented and hard-working daughters.
Navigating the Nepotism Debate
When the conversation turned to nepotism, the iconic singer from 'Aashiqui' asserted that the term itself is incorrect. He believes the widespread chatter around it is misguided. "Every parent would want their child to excel in life," he expressed. He argued that parents naturally put effort into helping their children, and when the child finds success, it shouldn't be labelled as nepotism. In his own case, he mentioned that even though his daughter does not use his famous surname, he has supported her with musical guidance.
Reality Shows: A Shortcut Without Long-Term Gains
Having served as a judge on numerous reality music shows, Kumar Sanu provided a critical view of their impact. He feels these shows ultimately do more harm than good for the contestants. He explained that with multiple channels launching different talent hunts, dozens of new singers emerge every year. The core issue, according to Sanu, is that these youngsters get a platform without facing the necessary struggle. This early fame often leads them to not value their opportunities. Furthermore, he laments that creativity dies because contestants primarily mimic established styles and sing old hits, resulting in a lack of originality in both their personality and singing. He concluded by noting that winners often jump into paid shows early, which provides income but rarely leads to a sustained mainstream career.
When asked to pick a favourite from his vast discography, Sanu found the task impossible. However, he did mention that the song "Jab koi baat bigad jaye" holds a special place in his heart due to its universal appeal and meaningful lyrics.
