Sonu Nigam sings Mohammed Rafi classic on surgery table in viral video
Synopsis
Sonu Nigam turned his surgery table into an impromptu stage, singing a 1949 Mohammed Rafi classic for his surgeon mid-operation. The video is a window into a months-long health battle involving a pinched nerve, repeated MRI scans, painful physiotherapy, and a throat that has felt the strain — all while one of India's most recognisable voices refuses to go quiet.
Key Takeaways
Sonu Nigam posted a video on Instagram on 9 August showing himself singing on the operating table during surgery.
He performed Mohammed Rafi's Suhani raat dhal chuki from the 1949 film Dulari for surgeon Dr Nilesh Satbhai and his team.
The nature of the surgery has not been publicly disclosed.
In June , Nigam revealed he had been battling a pinched nerve condition, undergoing multiple MRI and CT scans .
He described physiotherapy as 'very painful' and noted the condition was causing heaviness in his throat.
Veteran playback singer Sonu Nigam delivered an impromptu rendition of a Mohammed Rafi classic from the operating theatre, posting the remarkable moment on Instagram on 9 August. The video, which quickly spread across social media, showed Nigam singing through visible discomfort while surrounded by his surgical team.
The Viral Moment
In the clip, Nigam can be heard performing Rafi's beloved number Suhani raat dhal chuki, na jaane tum kab aoge — a timeless track from the 1949 drama Dulari. The performance was directed at his surgeon, Dr Nilesh Satbhai, and the attending medical staff. 'An impromptu performance for dear Dr Nilesh Satbhai and his loving team during my surgery. Singing in the pain.. the Joy of Music!' Nigam wrote in the caption.
The video drew an outpouring of warm wishes from fans and fellow artists, with many netizens urging the singer to rest and recover quickly.
A Months-Long Health Battle
The exact nature of the surgery has not been disclosed. However, in June, Nigam had publicly revealed he was battling a painful nerve-related condition, giving followers a candid look at his medical journey. He shared that he had undergone multiple MRI and CT scans over the course of a week and had been on medication for several days.
'My nerves are pinched. I have been taking MRI and CT scans for a week. I have been taking a lot of medicines,' Nigam said in an earlier video. He also showed a patch placed near his neck, explaining that the pinched nerve was causing heaviness in his throat — a particularly concerning development for a professional singer.
Physiotherapy and Recovery Challenges
Nigam reportedly described the physiotherapy sessions as gruelling. 'Physiotherapy was very painful. I am taking painkillers now. Due to that, my throat is also a little heavy,' he said, underscoring how the treatment itself has added to his discomfort.
The disclosure in June had already prompted concern from the entertainment fraternity, with several colleagues publicly wishing him well. The latest surgery video has renewed that wave of support.
What This Says About the Singer
Notably, Nigam's decision to sing mid-surgery — however spontaneous — is consistent with his public persona as someone for whom music is inseparable from daily life. This is not the first time a celebrity health update has gone viral, but the combination of a classic Rafi number, a surgery table setting, and Nigam's unmistakable voice made this clip stand apart. Well-wishers across platforms have continued to pour in messages, hoping for a full and swift recovery.
Point of View
But the health story underneath deserves more attention than the viral moment. A pinched nerve causing throat heaviness is a serious concern for a playback singer whose instrument is his voice — and Nigam has been candid about how disruptive the treatment has been. The entertainment press has largely focused on the feel-good clip; the more important question is the timeline and completeness of his recovery, particularly given how central his voice is to his livelihood and identity.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Sonu Nigam do during his surgery?
Sonu Nigam sang Mohammed Rafi's classic song Suhani raat dhal chuki from the 1949 film Dulari while on the operating table. He posted the video on Instagram, captioning it as an impromptu performance for his surgeon Dr Nilesh Satbhai and the medical team.
Why did Sonu Nigam undergo surgery?
The specific reason for the surgery has not been publicly disclosed. In June, Nigam had revealed he was being treated for a pinched nerve condition that required MRI and CT scans and medication.
What health condition has Sonu Nigam been battling?
Sonu Nigam disclosed in June that he had been suffering from a painful pinched nerve condition. He showed a patch near his neck and said the condition was causing heaviness in his throat, and that physiotherapy had been particularly painful.
How have fans and the entertainment industry reacted?
The surgery video prompted a large wave of well-wishes from fans and fellow artists on social media. A similar outpouring of concern had followed his June health update as well.
Which Mohammed Rafi song did Sonu Nigam sing during surgery?
Sonu Nigam sang Suhani raat dhal chuki, na jaane tum kab aoge, a popular track from the 1949 Hindi drama Dulari, widely regarded as one of Mohammed Rafi's early classics.
