Amit Kumar is a classic case of growing in the shadow of a grand personality, in this case his legendary father, Kishore Kumar. Despite that, he turned out to be very successful and carved out his place among the top singers. Some of his most famous songs include “Bade Achchhe Lagte Hain,” “Yaad Aa Rahi Hai,” “Uthe Sabke Kadam,” “Yeh Zameen Gaa Rahi Hai,” “Laila o Laila,” “Dushman Na Kare,” “Kah Do Ki Tum Ho Meri Warna,” and many more.
Early Life and Career
Amit Kumar, born on July 3, 1952, in Calcutta. He is the son of the legendary singer and actor Kishore Kumar and Bengali singer and actress Ruma Guha Thakurta. Amit was fond of singing from an early age and used to sing at Durga Puja functions. Watching his interest, Kishore Kumar decided to take him to Bombay. His musical journey began under the immense shadow of his illustrious father.
He started his career as a child artist in his father’s productions, where he also lent his voice to songs in films like “Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein(1964),” followed by “Door Ka Rahi (1971),” where he sang “Main Ek Panchhi Matwala Re.” He also appeared in films like “Badhti Ka Naam Dadhi,” “Shabash Daddy,” and “Chalti Ka Naam Zindagi.”
Amit started his playback career with songs like “Sun Chaache Bol Bhatije (Badhti Ka Naam Dadhi),” “Salaam Kijiye Aali Janab Aaye Hain (Aandhi),” “Hum Na Rahenge Tum Na Rahoge (Jaan Haazir Hai),” and “Kismat Ki Baat Ka (Aap Beeti).”
Amit Kumar – The New Superstar Singer
However, it was the song “Bade Achchhe Lagte Hain,” composed by R.D. Burman for the film “Balika Badhu (1976),” that catapulted him to national fame. This song, along with many others, established Amit as a prominent voice in Hindi cinema. Amit continued to climb the ladder with songs like “Haseenon Ke Chakkar Mein Padna Nahin (Deewaangee),” “Frenny O Frenny (Khatta Meetha),” “Nazar Lage Na Saathiyo (Des Pardes),” “Aji Thahro Zara Dekho (Parwarish),” “Hosh Mein Hum Kahan (Darwaza),” “Aati Rahengi Bahaaren (Kasme Wade),” “Daur-E-Khizan Tha Dil Ke Chaman Mein (Shabash Daddy),” “Ram Kare Allah Kare (Aap Ke Deewane),” “Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuchh Kaha,” “Uthe Sabke Kadam Dekho Rum Pum Pum” (Baton Baton Mein), and many more. He also sang a a small portion in “Parda Hai Parda (Amar Akbar Anthony)” for Amitabh Bachchan.
In 1980, he sang one of the most celebrated songs of that year, “Laila O Laila.” The song from Feeroz Khan’s “Qubani,” was made by Kalyanji Anandji. He followed it with “Love Story” in 1981, which was a musical blockbuster. It was the arrival of Amit Kumar. He won the Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer for “Yaad Aa Rahi Hai.” He also sang “Dekho Maine Dekha Hai Yeh Ek Sapna,” “Kaisa Tera Pyar Kaisa Gussa Hai Tera,” and “Ye Ladki Zara Si Deewani Lagti Hai.” Amit again gets the Filmfare Best Male Playback Singer nomination for “Yeh Zameen Ga Rahi Hai” in Teri Kasam (1982).
Amit Kumar in 1980s
In “Desh Premee (1982),” he sang “Ja, Jaldi Bhag Ja, Nahin Baba Nahin” with his father Kishore Kumar. He sang “Pyare Tere Pyar Mein Lut Gaye Hum, for Amitabh Bachchan in “Nastik (1983).” After the success of these films, Amit sang for films like “Bulundi (1981),” “Shradhanjali (1981),” “Ghazab (1982),” “Swami Dada (1982),” “Itni Si Baat (1982),” Hamari Bahu Alka (1982),” “Anokha Bandhan (1982),” “Ustaadi Ustad Se (1982),” “Romance (1983),” “Mein Qatil Hoon (1984),” “Aakhir Kyon? (1985),” “Anokha Rishta (1986),” “Ilzaam (1986),” “Jeeva” (1986),” “Hero Hiralal (1988),” “Khtron Ke Khiladi (1988),” “Maalamaal” (1988),” “Rama O Rama (1988),” “Jaaydaad (1989),” “Aag Se Khelenge (1989),” and “Dost (1989).”
Some of Amit Kumar’s notable songs include “Aao Naye Sapne Bune (Mein Qatil Hoon),” “Dushman Na Kare Dost Ne (Akhir Kyon?),” “Roz Roz Aankhon Tale (Jeeva),” and “Andhiyari Raahon Mein (Mamta Ki Chhaon Mein),” “Tutak Tutak Tutiyan (Ghar Ka Chiraag),” “Raat Ke Baarah Baje (Mujrim),” “Main Hoon Hero (Ram Lakhan),” “Oye Oye Oye O Oaa (Tridev),” “Chali Aana Tu Paan Ki Dukaan Pe Saadhe Teen Baje (Aaj Ka Arjun),” Poochho Naa Kaisa Maza Aa Raha Ha (Awwal Number),” “Suit Boot Mein Aaya Kanhaiya (kishan Kanhiya),” among others.
Famous Songs
In 1988, he sang “Kah Do Ki Tum Ho Meri Warna” and “Ek Do Teen” in N. Chandra’s “Tezaab,” for which he was nominated for the Filmfare Best Male Playback Singer Award. For “Tirchhi Topi Wale,” in Tridev (1989), he was again nominated for the Filmfare Best Male Playback Singer Award. His third consecutive filmfare nomination came for “Kaisa Lagta Hai (Baaghi, 1990). He also sang the chartbuster “Na Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai” in “Chaalbaaz (1989).”
Amit’s versatility as a singer is evident from his performances in various languages. He sang in Hindi, Bengali, Bhojpuri, Odia, Assamese, Marathi, and Konkani. His ability to adapt to different musical styles made him a sought-after voice for both hindi and regional film cinema.
Later Work
In the 90s with the changing times, he got fewer songs but he continue to give his best in songs like “Jab Se Huee Hai Shaadi (Thanedaar),” “Gabbar Singh Yeh Kya Keh Gaya (100 Days),” Ik Chand Ko Hum Bhi Dekhenge (Yaadon Ka Mausam),” ” Jao Tum Chahe Jahan Yaad Karoge Wahan (Narsimha), “Soone Shaam Savere (khel),” “Dekho Dekho Tum,” “Kisi Haseen Yaar Ki Talash Hai,” (Nishchaiy),” “Dil Le Gayi Teri Bindiya (Vishwatma),” “Tu Roop Ki Rani Tu Choron Ka Raja (Roop Ki Rani Tu Choron Ka Raja),” “Is Tarah Aashiqi Ka Asar Chhod Jaoong (Imtihan),” “Deewana Dil Deewana (kabhi haan kabhi Naa),” “Love Rap – Maine Dekha Jab (Krantiveer),” “Bole Chudiyan (Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham),” “Humein Tumse Pyar Kitna (Jhankar Beats),” and many more.
Amit also launched his own music production company, Kumar Brothers Music. Despite him being away from films he continue to contribute to the industry with his compositions. In the mid-90s, Amit withdrew himself from the film industry and focused on live orchestra shows. He also came up with many non-film albums like MAD, Pyaar Toh Bas Pyaar Hai, Dam Dama Dam, Oh Sweetheart, Surer Raja, Sagarika, Jaanam, Forever Blue, and Baba Mere.
Amit is married to Reema Gangulya and has two kids, Muktika Ganguly and Vrienda Ganguly.
Amit Kumar on IMDB
