Amit Kumar Speaks : An interview

Amit Kumar Speaks

Speaking to Amit Kumar is like opening a treasure chest of mem­ories. This man has practically seen it all. Apart from being Kishore Kumar's (perhaps the most versatile Indian artiste ever) son, he has been around so many legends. He has also enjoyed a stint at the top of playback singing for a while, and then experienced the none-too-bright side of showbiz. Amit has accu­mulated an enviable wealth of memories and experiences, and he has a knack of sharing them in an inimitable way. Ageing has thickened his voice so much that it makes him sound almost like his late, great father. His calm maturity and mellowness while expressing his views belie his routinely perceived image of an eccentric person.

Why do you have this image of a moody and eccentric artiste?

Yes, I do agree that people call me eccentric and moody, but I don't really care. This talk started after my refusal to sing film-songs. I wanted to be away from the rat race in the playback indus­try which upset some people and hence the rumours. My favourite refrain is 'Nobody kicks a dead dog'.

What's keeping you away from playback singing?

I entered playback singing in the mid-Seventies when singers like Mohammed Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Manna Dey, Mahendra Kapoor, Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle were active. The record­ings were live, unlike the elec­tronically-aided recordings of today. I had to deliver the goods to survive and I did that. At that time, the compe­tition was healthy. No one really tried to snatch oppor­tunities from you by under­cutting or politicking. But over the last decade or so, the scene has changed.

Before I entered this indus­try, it was like a fairy tale, but when I experienced it firsthand, it was a very different tale. Then, I decided that this was not for me. In fact, I would say I'm not ambitious enough to go­ through the rigours to reach the top. I have always been a happy-­go-lucky, easy-going guy and I don't want to change to survive in this field.

Do you think things would have been dif­ferent if Kumar Gaurav had become the next superstar as predicted at the time rI Love Story?

I believe it's fate. No one really knows what the future holds and that's especially true in films. When I sang for Kumar in Love Story with songs like Dekho Maine Dekha Hai and Yeh Ladh Zarasi the success was huge. We then paired successfully in films like Teri Kasam, Lovers and Romance, but slowly, both of us slumped out of the race. Who knows what would have happened had he really become the next superstar?

What was the Love Story success like?

In 1981, Love Story songs ruled the charts, but unfortunately, I couldn't enjoy that success. That was the time my engagement had broken and my dad had suffered ­heart attack. For many months, I was just attending to his health. He was sick and weak but his elated face could tell me how happy he felt about my success.

How was the experience of growing up in the great Kishore Kumar's family?

Being born into Kishore Kumar's household, I grew up watching and interacting with so many legends. Dadamuni (Ashok Kumar) was my uncle. Sachinda (S.D.Burman) was my father's mentor. These two along with my father made an indelible impression on my mind. They had such unique chemistry. In fact, I often think of writing a script woven around these three characters- each so individual, so talented and so humorous.

Dadamuni would sometimes catch me smoking on the sly. He would then scold me, 'Your father never smoked in his life. That's why he could sing so well for so long. You are spoiling your voice by indulging in this bad habit.'

Then after that tirade, he would softly ask me, 'Amit, have you got any more cigarettes left? Let me have one!'

How was the experience working with Lata and Asha?

Oh, what can I tell you about them? I would say singers like them, Rafi-saab and my father are not made any more. They are a class apart. You have to keep them aside and then talk about rest of the singers. I first sang with Lataji in Duniya Meri Jeb Mein and then we have sung hit duets in many films including Love Story. She was always supportive and encouraged me. I have always felt more close to Ashaji. She is almost like my mother. She is very frank and would always criticize and correct me in my singing. But that criticism felt so nice.

What do you feel about Dubai audiences?

I have come to Dubai quite a few times and I am really impressed by the warm hospitality I receive here. People here are friendly and appreciative of good music.

Amit Kumar - An Intimate Interview

When I knock on Amit's hotel room-door, it's 11.30am- a day after the Asha Bhosle-Amit Kumar concert. On the phone, he has agreed to a meeting, but when he opens the door, I sense a hint of suspicious uncertainty on his face. I am a bit hesitant, as I have been forewarned about Amit's reputation as a 'difficult' person. But as our conversation starts unfolding and as he starts realising the genuineness of his visitor's love for his and his father's music, this so-called eccentric, egocentric man starts appearing more and more relaxed and friendly.

Soon initial barriers are broken and we are animatedly chatting about various chapters of his colourful, eventful life. He has a flair for conversation, a razor-sharp memory and tons of memorable anecdotes and that makes him an ideal candidate for an intimate interview.

Here are the excerpts:

How was your childhood?

I was born in 1952. Till seven years, my childhood was like any other child. We used to stay in Saxeria Colony in Juhu, Mumbai. Life was fun.

Those days, I saw very little of my father (Kishore Kumar). Baba used to be very busy as his acting career was in full swing. My mother (Ruma Ganguli) was also a good singer, who used to sing in Bombay Youth Choir.

Before marriage, she had also acted in films like Afsar and Jwar Bhata, with heroes like Dev Anand and Dilip Kumar. So in a way, it was inevitable that I would become an artist.

When I was seven, my parents separated and I shifted to Kolkata with my mom.

How did the separation affect you?

Obviously I was sad but both my parents saw to it that whatever might be their own differences, they would never ever hurt my feelings. Either Baba would come down to Kolkata to visit me or I would go to Mumbai to meet him. This shuffling lifestyle became part of me. When I was in third standard, they tried keeping me at a boarding school in Hazaribaug. There initially I was depressed and missed my family but later, I improved a lot in my studies. But at the end of the academic year, my grandmom (Kishore Kumar's mother) made my parents bring me back home. Who knows, had I continued at Hazaribaug I might have become a doctor or an engineer!

What are your memories of your first film-song Main Ik Panchhi Matwara?

I sang that song for Door Ka Raahi, when I was just thirteen. It was more due to Baba's insistence rather than my liking. He had composed and even written that song. I think, I sounded quite callow — more like my mother. Baba picturised that song in one day — in the garden of our bungalow Gauri Kunj. That day, I was running fever, yet I gamely gave the shot, sitting atop a tree with a dafli in hand!

When did you take up singing seriously?

It was around 1968-69. Those days, I had witnessed some live shows of my father and I was just overwhelmed by his popularity. With some friends in Kolkata, I too started doing stage shows, singing my father's songs. Initially my mother was against it but dad supported me whole-heartedly. He arranged for a joint father- son concert at Mumbai's prestigious Shanmukhanand Hall and it became a huge success. I can never forget Sachindada Burman throwing a garland at me as a compliment! He told Baba, "Let him improve a little, I will make him sing in my music." Unfortunately I never got that opportunity.

So how did your early career shape up? Weren't you considered for the songs of Bobby?

Initially I sang a few songs for maestros like Salil Choudhury and Madan Mohan, but those films got canned and those songs never saw daylight. I had auditioned for Bobby songs but later got cold feet and went back to Kolkata. So finally I sang my first song Hosh Mein Hum Kahan in a Ramsay horror film Darwaza, under the baton of Sapan Jagmohan.

What about Bade Achche Lagte Hain?

One day, I had just gone to meet my father at Pancham-da's (R.D. Burman) music-room. Out of the blue, Pancham-da told me to sing something and I sang Baba's Jhumroo song. But I was so nervous that I messed it up totally. When we were returning home, Baba also lashed out at me and my misery was complete. Unexpectedly the very next day, Pancham-da called me and gave me Bade Acchhe Lagte Hain! That song for Baalika Badhu became my first big hit and established me in my own right.

Looking back, how do you analyse your career?

I have had lots of ups and downs in my career. In the eighties, I had hits like Love Story and Teri Kasam with Kumar Gaurav but then both of us had to face a lean period.

Then after Baba's death in 1987, there was a kind of a sympathy wave for me and my career flourished for a while. From 1994 onwards, again there was a slump. Now, I have decided to remain out of the rat-race of film music. There is too much politicking and I don't think I was ever ambitious enough to survive such a grind!

I am happy doing live shows and soon will be releasing a private album — Mehjabeen.

What about step brother Sumit's singing career?

Sumit has just started his career as a singer. He is his own man. He has a long way to go. He sang for Mudda and now he is busy doing some recordings in London.

How hard was it being always compared to the great Kishore Kumar?

Being the great father's son obviously has some disadvantages, too. Yes, I was initially disheartened by all those unfair comparisons but it was Baba who supported me in that phase. He said, "Kuchh to log kahenge, logon ka kaam hai kahena." (People will say all sorts of things. That's their job.) He advised me to keep working hard and assured me that my time will come. I have always followed that advice.

Wow what a wonderful article…while going through it, I felt like as if it is a live talk I m having with Amitji myself…. Thank you barnali di... 👏

Over 80 Real Audio songs included!

Amit Kumar, comes from a family with a rich musical and acting background. His father, the legendary Kishore Kumar is one of the greats of Hindi cinema and his mother Ruma Guha, a top Bengali actress. His uncle Ashok Kumar, came to Bombay in the 1930s to pursue an acting career in the silent movies and the early talkies. His other uncle, late Anup Kumar was an actor too. Amit Kumar, born on 3 July 1952, sang his first Hindi song in his father Kishore Kumar's "Door Ka Rahi" in 1971 and his first Bengali song in 1972 with the music directed by Kishore Kumar. In 1973 he became a full fledged singer, singing in "Balika Badhu", directed and produced by Shakti Samanth, music by R.D. Burman with the song "Bade Acche Lagte Hai". His first releases were Aandhi, Mounto, Zindagi Aur Toofan and Anokha in 1975. He had a stint as a child star in "Door Gagan Ki Chaon Mein" as a mute boy acting along side dad Kishore Kumar in this 1964 off-beat movie.

Amit has developed his singing style distinct from others. Amit also went on to win the Filmfare award for Best Male Singer in 1981 for "Yaad Aa Rahi Hai" from "Love Story" with music by R.D. Burman. Amit had to be content with remaining in the shadows of his illustrious father, but he soon hit it big with "Ek Do Teen" from Tezaab in 1988. He had subsequent hits like "Oye Oye" from Tridev in 1989 and others until 1991 when he began to fade away resulting in an invasion of the music world by Kumar Sanu, Udit Narayan and later, by Abhijeet. After a brief hiatus, Amit returned to singing with albums like "MAD" and "Dam Dama Dam" with crazy songs which are his trademark.

And now he is back! He is making a comeback into Hindi movies by singing in movies like Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, Dillagi, Sar Ankhon Par, Safari and Kohraam. Amit Kumar also involves himself with stage shows around the world with Asha Bhosle and hosted his own music show on Zee TV called "Yoodlee Yoo". He records albums at the same time, with his latest being "Pyar To Bas Pyar Hai". Amit Kumar's latest movies Shikari (2000) Jeetenge Hum (2000) Loveria (coming soon) Benaam (?) Dahshat(?) Pyar to Bas Pyar Hai (2000, Album) Beti No. 1 (2000) Dillagi (1999) Sar Ankhon Par (1999) Zulmi (1999) Anari No. 1 (1999) Silsila Hai Pyar Ka (1999) Kohraam (1999) Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998) Gudia

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(source: http://songs.kishorekumar.org/)

Thanks for the articles 😊

There is a song in the movie Kalakar by Amit Kumar titled"deep jayale jo geeton ke maine"....Its a beautiful song-raaga based,somehow it never became popular as the other number from the film "neele neele ambar" sung by Kishorda.

Does anyone have the MP3 of that song?

Originally posted by: adi_0112

There is a song in the movie Kalakar by Amit Kumar titled"deep jayale jo geeton ke maine"....Its a beautiful song-raaga based,somehow it never became popular as the other number from the film "neele neele ambar" sung by Kishorda.

Does anyone have the MP3 of that song?

u know what i have it on tape and been trying to get my bro to convert it for me...if i ever do ill upload it! it truly is a wonderful song!😳

amit kumar rules.

friends let us bow down to amit dada!!