In 1975, a nervous 23-year-old stood in a small music room in Mumbai. Before him sat the legendary R.D. Burman, alongside icons Manna Dey and Kishore Kumar. At Burman’s request, the young man sang with hesitation and a trembling voice. That young man was none other than Amit Kumar, the son of Kishore Kumar.
Born on July 3, 1952, in Kolkata, Amit Kumar inherited a rich legacy of music and acting. His father, Kishore Kumar, and mother, Ruma Guha Thakurta, a renowned Bengali actress and founder of the ‘Calcutta Youth Choir,’ were prominent figures in the film industry. Amit’s family connections include stepmothers like Madhubala, Yogita Bali, and Leena Chandavarkar, while actress Kajol is his niece.
Amit spent his early childhood in Kolkata, where he showcased his singing talent during Durga Puja festivals. His abilities caught the attention of the legendary Bengali actor Uttam Kumar at one such event. When his mother complained that Amit only sang “filmy” songs, Kishore Kumar brought him to Mumbai. Before moving, Amit had already acted in his father’s film “Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein” (1964) and recorded his first song, “Main Panchi Matwala Re,” at the age of 11 for the film “Door Ka Rahi” (1971).
The song “Yaad Aa Rahi Hai” from the 1981 film “ catapulted him to stardom. A historic moment came at the 1982 Filmfare Awards when Amit and his father competed for the Best Male Playback Singer award. After a tough contest, Amit was declared the winner, and Kishore Kumar proudly embraced his son. Throughout the 1980s, Amit became the signature voice for young actors like Kumar Gaurav, Anil Kapoor, and Sanjay Dutt.
Some of Amit Kumar’s major hits include “Bade Achhe Lagte Hain,” “Teri Yaad Aa Rahi Hai,” “Ek Do Teen,” “Roj Roj Aankhon Tale,” “Uthe Sabke Kadam,” “Tu Rootha To Main Maan Jaunga,” “Tirchi Topiwale,” and “Tip Tip Tip Tip Barish.”
The sudden demise of Kishore Kumar on October 13, 1987, shocked the entire film industry. Following this, Amit took on the direction of his father’s unfinished film “Mamta Ki Chhaon Mein” (1989) and completed it. R.D. Burman’s passing on January 4, 1994, marked another significant loss. Amit stepped back from playback singing in the mid-1990s to focus on his music company, “Kumar Brothers Music,” dedicating himself to independent music and global live concerts.