Celebrated singer Sonu Nigam has opened up about reconnecting with his Haryanvi heritage through his latest track 'Chunni', a romantic number that marks a meaningful homecoming for the Mumbai-based artist. The song, released in August 2025, features Nigam alongside singer Renuka Panwar and is written and composed by Aamin Barodi.

A Deep Personal Connection to Haryana

Nigam says his bond with Haryana runs far deeper than geography. Born in Faridabad, he grew up alongside family members who share the same roots — his father spent his entire childhood in the city, and his sister was also born there.

'Whichever place God chooses for us as our birthplace, there must be a reason behind it. There must be some connection. So, out of all the places I got the great fortune to be born in Faridabad, Haryana. My sister was also born there, and my father's entire childhood was spent in Faridabad. So, naturally, Haryana is an extremely special state for us,' Nigam said.

The Language Challenge Behind 'Chunni'

Recording 'Chunni' was not without its demands. Nigam acknowledged that while he grew up around the Haryanvi language — many of his school friends spoke it — he had rarely used it formally. Singing the track required him to master the dialect with precision.

'Back in school days, a lot of my friends were also Haryanvi, so we grew up hearing the Haryanvi language a lot. We were always able to understand the language, but did not use to speak it much. But for the song, we were required to speak the language in a proper manner,' he said. He credited lyricist Aamin Barodi for guiding him through the nuances, describing Barodi as someone with 'great knowledge of music, along with a good thought process.'

About the Track and Music Video

The romantic Haryanvi number pairs Nigam's voice with that of Renuka Panwar, a prominent name in the regional music space. The music video features actress Charmee Zaveri. Both the lyrics and composition are credited to Aamin Barodi, who has been gaining recognition for his work in the folk-fusion genre.

Why This Release Stands Out

Nigam is primarily associated with Bollywood playback, making this Haryanvi outing a notable departure. The move reflects a broader trend of mainstream Hindi film singers exploring regional music — a space that has seen explosive growth on digital platforms in recent years. Notably, Haryanvi music has built a substantial streaming audience, and Nigam's entry into the genre is likely to bring it wider visibility.

With 'Chunni' now out, attention will turn to whether Nigam pursues further regional collaborations or whether this remains a one-off tribute to his roots.