KARACHI: Indian singer Sonu Nigam in an interview expressed heartfelt gratitude and admiration for legendary Pakistani singer Attaullah Khan Esakhelvi. Sonu shared that he began his career by covering Esakhelvi’s iconic song “Acha Sila Diya Tune Mere Pyar Ka”, and credited much of his early success to the legendary artist’s timeless music. The singer said, “He is truly a beautiful soul and holds a special place in my life. When my career was just beginning with his songs, he personally called me and said, ‘Mr Sonu, I am Attaullah Esa Khelvi from Pakistan, and I want to tell you that you sang it really well.’ I was only nineteen at the time, and I found that incredibly kind and gracious of him.” “I offer prayers for all the legendary singers who contributed to my journey. I’m deeply indebted to them. I owe my success to their music. ‘Acha Sila Diya’ was the turning point in my career, a song that resonated with every person in India,” Sonu revealed.