Himesh Reshammiya, the man who defined an entire era of Bollywood music with his nasal vocals and signature cap-and-leather-jacket swag, lit up Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Arena on July 19 with his CapMania concert tour. The 51-year-old singer performed to a packed house, delivering hit after hit as fans cheered and sang along.
But what truly grabbed attention during the night wasn’t just the music—it was Himesh’s cheeky and confident response to long-standing online mockery about his nasal singing style.
In a moment that sparked loud applause, Himesh asked the crowd, “Naak se gau ya galey se?” (Should I sing from the nose or the throat?), directly referencing the criticism he’s faced for years. The audience, in typical fan frenzy, cheered him on, chanting in favor of his iconic nasal voice.
He repeated the moment from his earlier Mumbai concert in June, where he had posed the same question mid-performance. That time too, fans had enthusiastically opted for his nasal style, prompting him to sing a few lines of Aashiq Banaya Aapne in the tone that once made him a music chart-topper—and a meme legend.
Fans at the Delhi show also dressed in true Himesh fashion—caps and jackets—showing the enduring love for the style and sound he pioneered in the 2000s. Sharing images and clips from the concert on social media, Himesh captioned one of his posts, “Jai MATADI Let’s Rock Delhi you were historic amazing, love you all #CapManiaTour.”
He also reshared videos posted by fans who captured his energy and witty remarks. One fan wrote, “Only Himesh can mock himself and still own the stage. Legend.”
Recently, in an interview with Pinkvilla, Himesh addressed the nasal singing debate, saying, “Aaj toh nasal ki baat bhi nahi kar rahe hain (No one talks about nasal singing anymore). Many singers followed the same style after me.” He further elaborated that the vocal style wasn’t a gimmick—it was a storytelling device. “It was high-pitched singing. A cry for help. In the Aashiq Banaya video, the guy was crying and dancing—so the singing matched the emotion.”
While the music industry and trends have evolved, Himesh Reshammiya continues to reinvent himself while embracing the legacy—both praised and mocked—that made him a household name. His concerts, full of self-aware humor and nostalgia, show that he’s not only unfazed by past trolls but also using them to fuel his comeback.
Whether he sings from the naak or galey, one thing’s clear—Himesh still knows how to own the stage and the narrative.
