Kedarnath Bhattacharya, or popularly known as Kumar Sanu is one of the most popular Indian playback singers of his time. Known as the King of Melody of Bollywood, Kumar Sanu has sung thousands of Bollywood songs. Along with Hindi songs, Kumar Sanu has also sang songs in Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, Gujarati, Bengali, Marathi, Bhojpuri, Nepali, Assamese, Odia, Manipuri, Tamil, and Punjabi.
He also holds the record of five consecutive Filmfare Awards for Best Male Playback Singer along with Arijit Singh. Many of his tracks were featured in BBC’s top 40 Bollywood Soundtrack of All Time.
Kumar Sanu was born on the 20th of October 1957 in the Sinthee area of Calcutta near Bishwanath Park. His father Mr. Pashupati Bhattacharya was a vocalist and composer as well. Kumar Sanu first started his career in playback singing as Sanu Bhattacharya where he gave his voice to Bangladeshi films like Tin Kanya in 1986 and his major Bollywood break came as the 1989 film Hero Hiralal.
By association, the legendary singer introduced Kumar Sanu to Kalyanji who then suggested he change his name to Kumar Sanu from Kedarnath Bhattacharya as his singing style was much influenced by the legendary singer Kishore Kumar. Hence in 1989, Kumar Sanu came into being.
He then relocated to Mumbai where Kalyanji-Anandji gave him a chance to sing in their film Jaadugar. Kumar Sanu’s breakthrough as a record-setter came in the form of the 1990 film Aashiqui in which he got to sing all but one track. He won his first Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer for the film. A beginning to his five consecutive Filmfare Awards for Best Male Playback Singer, the other four films that got him his leading Filmfare Awards were Saajan (1991), Deewana (1992), Baazigar (1993), and 1942: A Love Story. Hence, setting his record of back-to-back five Filmfare Awards.
Sanu got to work with all the leading music composers in the country. His first encounter with Gulshan Kumar and Nadeem Shravan got him 1990 film Aashiqui. He went on to work with them in numerous films. Music director Anu Malik composed songs of various genres. It was he who introduced Kumar Sanu to his first western-style track in the form of “Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhein”. Other music composer and directors he has worked with includes Rajesh Roshan, Jatin Lalit, Himesh Reshammiya, Kalyanji-Anandji, Lakshmikant-Pyarelal, R.D Burman, Bappi Lahri, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Ilayaraaja, Altaf Raja, A.R Rahman amongst others.
Kumar Sanu is the recipient of five back-to-back Filmfare awards, a record set by him that was only met b Arijit Singh. He was also honored with Padma Shri in 2009, given by the Government Of India. In 2021 he was given the Dr. Ambedkar Award by the People Education Society. He is also the recipient of several other awards and accolades and has been one of the most popular playback singers of all time.
Some Popular songs of Kumar Sanu includes Ab Tere Bin (Aashiqui), Jab Koi Baat Bigad Jaaye (Jurm), Dil Hai Ki Maanta Nahi (Dil Hai Ki Maanta Nahi), Mera Dil Bhi Kitna Paga Hain (Saajan), Tumhe Apna Banane Ki Kasan (Sadak), Sochenge Tumhe Pyar (Deewana), Tere Dar Par Sanam (Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayi), Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhein (Baazigar), Churake Dil Mera (Main Khiladi Tu Anari), Aye Kaash Ki Hum (Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa), Ek Ladki Ko Dekha (1942 A Love Story), Raah Mein Unse (Vijyapath), Tujhe Dekha Toh Yeh Jana Sanam (Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge), Dil Mera Churaya Kyun (Akele Hum Akele Tum), Love Tujhe Love Main (Barsaat), Aankh Maare (Tere Mere Sapne), Ankhon Ki Gustakhiyaan Maaf Ho (Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam), Tum Dil Ki Dhadhkan Mein – Sad (Dhadkan), Aankh Hai Bhari Bhari (Tumse Accha Kaun Hai) amongst others.
On his 64th birthday, Saregama wishes him a hearty birthday.
Now you can listen to the top hits of Kumar Sanu on Saregama Carvaan. Saregama Carvaan is a portable digital audio speaker that comes with 5000 preloaded evergreen Hindi sons that you can listen to any time without ad breaks or an internet connection. It also consists of other features like Bluetooth, FM/AM radio, USB, and AUX connectivity.