Sonu Nigam birthday: Shailesh Lodha recalls decades of friendship
Synopsis
Shailesh Lodha's birthday note for Sonu Nigam is more than a celebrity shoutout — it is a rare, candid glimpse into a decades-long friendship forged in middle-class Mumbai, long before either man found fame. The sepia throwback and bilingual tribute underscore how enduring personal bonds can outlast even the most public professional upheavals.
Key Takeaways
Shailesh Lodha shared a throwback photograph and birthday tribute for singer Sonu Nigam on 31 July .
Lodha recalled that both he and Nigam came from middle-class families and were drawn to the stage from childhood.
Lodha played Taarak Mehta in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah from 2008 to 2022 before exiting the show.
In 2022 , Lodha filed a lawsuit against producer Asit Kumarr Modi over pending dues.
TMKOC is based on the weekly column Duniya Ne Undha Chasma by Tarak Mehta , published in the magazine Chitralekha .
Actor Shailesh Lodha marked singer Sonu Nigam's birthday on 31 July with a warm tribute, sharing a sepia-toned throwback photograph and a heartfelt note that traced their friendship back to shared middle-class roots and early days on the stage.
The Birthday Message
Lodha posted the throwback image alongside a bilingual note in Hindi, writing: 'Aaj @sonunigamofficial ka Janam Diwas hai... Shubhkaamnayein anant hain. Hamari mitrata us zamaane se hai jab hum dono hi aise nazar aate the. Dono hi madhyam varg se aaye... Bachpan mein hi manch ne apna liya aur bas tab se kaam hi kar rahe hain.'
Translated, the message reads: 'Today is Sonu Nigam's birthday... my heartfelt wishes for him are endless. Our friendship goes back to a time when both of us looked like this. We both came from middle-class families. The stage embraced us in our childhood, and we have simply kept working ever since.'
Lodha also praised Nigam's extraordinary career trajectory: 'Sonu ne to yash aur kirti ke kirtimaan gadh diye hain. Bas aise hi apni awaaz se karodon dilon ko khushiyan baantte raho' — 'Sonu has gone on to set remarkable milestones of success, fame, and glory. May you continue to spread happiness to millions of hearts with your incredible voice.'
Shailesh Lodha: Career at a Glance
Lodha first gained visibility on Wah Wah, a poetry show produced by Shri Adhikari Brothers, before competing on Comedy Circus. He went on to portray the beloved character Taarak Mehta in the long-running sitcom Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah from 2008 to 2022, a role that made him a household name across India.
He also served as the main presenter on the television programme Wah! Wah! Kya Baat Hai! In 2019, he appeared in the comedy film Wig Boss alongside Sunil Pal and Rakhi Sawant. In 2022, Lodha filed a lawsuit against producer Asit Kumarr Modi over pending dues — a legal dispute that drew significant attention at the time of his departure from the show.
About Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah
Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah (TMKOC) is adapted from the weekly column Duniya Ne Undha Chasma, written by Tarak Mehta for the magazine Chitralekha. Set in Mumbai, the series follows the residents of Gokuldham Co-operative Housing Society, a fictional community that celebrates India's cultural and regional diversity.
A Friendship Rooted in Shared Beginnings
What makes Lodha's tribute notable is its candour — both men, now firmly established in their respective fields, are acknowledged to have started from similar, modest circumstances. Notably, Sonu Nigam has become one of India's most celebrated playback singers, a far cry from the young performer captured in the throwback photograph Lodha shared. The post reflects a bond that has endured well beyond the spotlight.
Point of View
Non-controversy-driven post signals a deliberate pivot back to his public identity as a poet and performer rather than a litigant. For Sonu Nigam, the tribute is a reminder that his career arc — from shared modest beginnings to record-breaking playback milestones — is genuinely extraordinary. Celebrity friendships that predate fame are rare in Bollywood; rarer still are the ones that get spoken about openly.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Shailesh Lodha post a tribute for Sonu Nigam?
Shailesh Lodha posted a birthday tribute for Sonu Nigam on 31 July, celebrating their long-standing friendship that dates back to their shared middle-class upbringing and early days performing on stage.
What did Shailesh Lodha write in his birthday note for Sonu Nigam?
Lodha wrote a bilingual note recalling that both he and Nigam came from middle-class families and were embraced by the stage in childhood. He praised Nigam's remarkable milestones of fame and wished him continued success in spreading joy through his voice.
When did Shailesh Lodha leave Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah?
Shailesh Lodha played Taarak Mehta in TMKOC from 2008 to 2022. In 2022, he filed a lawsuit against producer Asit Kumarr Modi over pending dues, marking a public and legally contested exit from the show.
What is Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah based on?
TMKOC is adapted from the weekly column Duniya Ne Undha Chasma by Tarak Mehta, published in the Gujarati magazine Chitralekha. The show is set in Mumbai and follows the diverse residents of Gokuldham Co-operative Housing Society.
What other work is Shailesh Lodha known for besides TMKOC?
Lodha is known for his appearances on the poetry show Wah Wah, as a contestant on Comedy Circus, and as the main presenter on Wah! Wah! Kya Baat Hai! He also appeared in the 2019 comedy film Wig Boss alongside Sunil Pal and Rakhi Sawant.
