Whenever discussions arise regarding the most unforgettable actor and singer pairings in Hindi cinema, the names of Rajesh Khanna and Kishore Kumar invariably top the list. The seamless blend of Khanna onscreen charisma and Kumar distinctive voice created a magical aura that remains immensely popular among listeners today. However, very few people know that before lending his voice to the actor, Kishore Kumar personally met with him and gave his approval only after thoroughly understanding his persona.
Born on August 4, 1929, in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, Kishore Kumar was originally named Aabhas Kumar Ganguly. His father, Kunjlal Ganguly, worked as a lawyer by profession. His elder brother, Ashok Kumar, was already a prominent star in Hindi cinema, which eventually brought Kishore Kumar to Mumbai to try his fortunes.
Industry lore suggests that the film for which Hrishikesh Mukherjee recorded a specific song drew its storyline inspiration from the personal life of Kishore Kumar and his first wife, Ruma Guha Thakurta. Initially, however, the singer remained completely unaware of this fact. Consequently, he went ahead and recorded two memorable tracks for the project, namely Meet Na Mila Re Man Ka and Tere Mere Milan Ki Yeh Raina.
The year 1969 proved to be a monumental turning point in Kishore Kumar career. Music director S.D. Burman and director Shakti Samant strongly desired that Kishore Kumar should playback exclusively for Rajesh Khanna. At that time, Khanna was relatively new to the film industry. It is said that Kishore Kumar always preferred to meet and understand any newcomer before agreeing to sing for them.
As a result, Rajesh Khanna was sent to meet Kishore Kumar at his residence. The two engaged in an extensive conversation. Kishore Kumar grew deeply impressed by Khanna thought process, unique personality, and inner confidence. Following this interaction, he readily agreed to sing for him.
Upon release, the songs Mere Sapno Ki Rani and Roop Tera Mastana from the film Aradhana became massive blockbusters overnight. These tracks propelled Kishore Kumar to new heights while cementing Rajesh Khanna status as the first superstar of Hindi cinema. Following this triumph, the iconic duo delivered numerous unforgettable melodies back-to-back.
Records indicate that Kishore Kumar lent his voice to approximately 245 songs picturized on Rajesh Khanna, with the two collaborating on around 92 films together. Timeless soundtracks from movies like Amar Prem, Kati Patangi, and Haathi Mere Saathi continue to remain immensely cherished to this day.
Throughout his illustrious career, Kishore Kumar worked alongside legendary music composers including S.D. Burman, R.D. Burman, and Laxmikant-Pyarelal. Aside from Hindi, he also recorded songs in Bengali, Marathi, and several other regional languages. His exceptional artistry earned him the prestigious Filmfare Award eight times. Although he passed away due to a heart attack on October 13, 1987, his immortal voice continues to resonate deeply within the hearts of millions of music enthusiasts.
