A true legend in Indian cinema

Ah, Kishore Kumar! 🎤🎬 A true legend in Indian cinema

🎶 Who Was Kishore Kumar?

Full Name: Abhas Kumar Ganguly
Born: August 4, 1929, Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, India
Died: October 13, 1987, Mumbai, India
Professions: Playback Singer, Actor, Music Director, Lyricist, Composer, Producer, Director, Screenwriter — yep, all of that.

🌟 Multi-Talented Genius

Though he’s most famous for his playback singing, Kishore Kumar was truly a one-man film industry.

🎤 As a Singer

• One of the most iconic playback singers in Indian cinema.

• Known for his versatility — could sing romantic, peppy, sad, classical-based, even comic songs.

• Voice of Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan, Dev Anand, and many others in the 70s and 80s.

• Won 8 Filmfare Awards for Best Male Playback Singer, a record during his time.

Famous Songs:

• “Mere Sapno Ki Rani”

• “Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana”

• “Roop Tera Mastana”

• “Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas”

• “Khaike Paan Banaraswala”

• “Kuch Toh Log Kahenge”

• “Aanewala Pal Jaane Wala Hai”

He could yodel, a rare talent in Indian music, and he used it in songs like “Zindagi Ek Safar.”

🎭 As an Actor

• Started in the 1940s, often acted in comedies.

• Not a trained actor, but had perfect comic timing.

• Known for roles in movies like:

  • Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958)

  • Padosan (1968)

  • Half Ticket (1962)

  • Jhumroo (1961)

🎬 As a Filmmaker

He didn’t just act — he wrote, directed, produced, and scored films too!

• Often made experimental and offbeat films.

• Known for his unique, surreal sense of humor and storytelling.

💔 Personal Life

Kishore Kumar was famously eccentric and reclusive, especially later in life. His personal life was dramatic:

• Married 4 times:

  1. Ruma Ghosh (first wife)

  2. Madhubala (famous actress, tragic love story)

  3. Yogeeta Bali

  4. Leena Chandavarkar

• With Madhubala, it was a particularly emotional relationship — she was very ill during their marriage and passed away young.

🕊️ Death and Legacy

Kishore passed away from a heart attack on October 13, 1987, just a day before his brother Ashok Kumar’s birthday.

But his voice still lives on — played at weddings, in movies, radio stations, and hearts across generations. His songs never go out of style.

🔥 Fun Facts

• He reportedly had signs at his house that said “Beware of Kishore” and refused to talk to people he didn’t like.

• He was once said to charge double if asked to sing in a sad voice.

• Refused to sing for Sanjay Gandhi during the Emergency — so All India Radio banned his songs for a while!