He shot to fame as the charming host of Zee TV's Sa Ra Ga Ma Pa in 1995.

While his 'chocolate boy' good looks ensured that he was an instant click with the ladies, his superlative vocal talent catapulted his career to dizzying heights as a playback singer.

And 17 years down the line, Sonu Nigam is a power to reckon with in the industry.

Much to the delight of the creative team of Zee TV, the golden boy of the Indian playback scene has not forgotten his roots.

When approached to host the annual awards ceremony of Zee TV - Zee Rishtey Awards 2012 on the occasion of the channel's twentieth year, Sonu gave an instant nod without batting an eyelid.

`You can never thank the one who gives you your first break enough. My association with Zee TV, over the years, has been extremely rewarding. So, when the team approached me to return as a host for Zee Rishtey Awards, I looked at it as a way of saying a heartfelt thanks to the channel, ` said Sonu.

Sonu went out of his way to ensure that the segments he was hosting at the awards ceremony are lively and entertaining.

Not only did he actively involve himself with the writing and improvising of his script as the anchor, but even composed and sang an original song that pays a tribute to Zee's 20 years.

His wife, Madhurima, designed his look as the host.

Making a stylish entry on a bike, Sonu was a rockstar at Zee Rishtey Awards from the word 'go'!

He had the audience in splits as he learned a Bhojpuri item song from Zee TV's Bihari girl Laali (Ratan Rajput).

It was only after the awards ceremony was over that he revealed his mother wasn't keeping well and that he had to miss the after-party to go attend to her.

The creative team at Zee was touched by the way Sonu displayed single-minded focus and professional dedication towards making his segments of the awards show a grand success, despite his mother's health issues.