In remembrance of Kishore Kumar
This August marks Kishore Kumar's 91st birth anniversary. He was born on August 4, 1929.
Born as Abhas Kishore Kumar, the celebrated singer and actor was among the four sons of expatriate lawyer Kunjalal Ganguly, and Sati Devi of Khandwa of Madhya Pradesh.
When I was a school kid, I went to watch the film, Bhai Bhai. Kishore Kumar's singing talent and comic timing was exceptional in the film, which featured the hit song, "Mera Naam Abdur Rahman".
The Bengali film, Lukochuri, starring Kishore Kumar in the lead role, was a big hit. Yet, it seems like Kishore Kumar never got his due as an actor or singer. 16 of his 22 films were flops.
He went to Mumbai (then Bombay) after graduating, and played a chorus role in the 1946 film, Khilari.
Kishore Kumar's first popular song was Mere Mehboob Mujhe from the film Mr X in Bombay. He also starred in the 1968 film Padosan, alongside Sunil Dutta and Saira Banoo. His song, Mere Samne Wali Khirki Mein, is celebrated among music lovers till date. Khisore Kumar was an ardent admirer of Hollywood actor and singer Danny Kaye, and a close friend and collaborator of R D Burman.
Chalti Ka Naam Gari was Kishore Kumar's own production, with his brothers, Ashoke and Anup. During that film, he fell in love with Madhubala. Later, the two actors got married.
The Sakti Samanta film Aradhana was Kishore Kumar's first breakthrough movie, with the super hit songs Mere Sapnon Ki Rani, Kora Kagaj, Tha Ye Man Mera and Roop Tera Mastana. The success of those songs followed O Sathire from Mukandar Ka Sikandar in 1978, Hum Bewafa from Shalimar in 1978, Humein Tumse Pyar from Kudrat in 1981 and Choo Kar Mere Manko from Yarana in 1981.
Kishore Kumar passed away on October 13, 1987.
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