Karz
File:Karz, 1980 film poster.jpg
Directed by	Subhash Ghai
Produced by	Akhtar Farooqui Jagjit Khurana
Written by	Dr. Rahi Masoom Reza(dialogue)
Screenplay by	Sachin Bhowmick
Starring	Rishi Kapoor Tina Munim Simi Garewal Raj Kiran Pran Pinchoo Kapoor
Music by	Laxmikant-Pyarelal Anand Bakshi (Lyrics)
Cinematography	Kamalakar Rao
Editing by	Waman Bhonsle Gurudutt Shirali
Distributed by	Mukta Arts Ltd.
Release date(s)	11 June 1980 (1980-06-11)
Running time	159 mins
Country	‹See Tfd› India
Language	Hindi
Box office	5,50,00,000 [1]

Karz (Hindi: क़र्ज़, Urdu: قرض, pronunciation: qarz, translation: in-debt) is a 1980 Hindi film directed by Subhash Ghai, starring Rishi Kapoor and Tina Munim as leads, also in a feat of perfect casting was Simi Garewal, who stood out in her role of Kamini Verma, the murderous wife from the past life, which won her a Filmfare nomination.

Film's music was by Laxmikant-Pyarelal, giving memorable hits like, 'Om Shanti Om' and 'Dard-e-Dil', and who went on to win Filmfare Best Music Director Award for this film, even the lyricist received two Filmfare nominations for these two hits.

Plot[link]

Ravi Verma wins a legal battle against Sir Judah, his dead father's business partner. Shantaprasad Verma, Ravi's dead father, was a rich man in Ooty, whose property was being unjustly usurped by Judah after his death. Ravi gives the good news to his mother, little knowing the fact that Judah has already set new plans in action to further his intentions. Ravi has fallen in love with Kamini, a gold-digger working covertly for Judah. Here, Ravi tells his mother that he is going to get married & coming back to get her blessings for him & Kamini.

However, when he is on his way to Ooty, Kamini tricks him into getting out of the jeep. An unsuspecting Ravi gets mauled by Kamini, who throws him off the cliff near a small temple of Goddess Kali. Ravi dies & his death is written off as an unfortunate accident. Nearly two decades later, Monty Oberoi, an orphan raised by a greedy G.G.Oberoi, is a teen singer on rise. He likes to play a tune, the same one which Ravi liked. But, the tune triggers some horrific memories, of which he can make no sense. It is clear that he is Ravi's re-incarnation.

Monty soon falls in love with an unknown girl, whose name is later revealed to be Tina. Monty suffers another breakdown & is advised a break or vacation in some remote place. Monty chooses Ooty, partly because he knows that Tina lives there. However, instead of being placated, his visions become intense. He sees all the places there that were seen in the memories. Tina has told him that she was brought up by her Rani Maa, a woman who took her care at behest of her uncle Kabira, who is always overseas & coming back.

In truth, Kabira was sentenced to life imprisonment and is about to be released. Monty wins Kabira's affection & permission to court Tina. However, he is shocked to learn that Rani Maa is none other than Kamini, the murderess in his visions. Kabira later reveals his story to Monty. He learns that Tina's father learnt some deadly secret about the Kali temple, due to which Kamini's brother killed him. In retaliation, Kabira killed Kamini's brother & blackmailed her to bring up Tina with proper education. Kabira tells Monty that he just pretended to know the secret.

Besides this, Monty has also learnt previously that Ravi's mother & his sister were ousted unjustly from their own house by Kamini & her brother. Now, he puts all pieces together & learns his identity. He tells the whole story to Kabira, who in turn offers to help find Ravi's estranged family. Lady luck smiles on Monty & he is united with the family he was so brutally separated from. Realizing that Kamini is a puppet of Sir Judah, Monty decides to pay her in her own coin.

Monty succeeds in seducing her. Slowly, he starts making her believe that Ravi's ghost has come back to exact his revenge. Kamini is unable to see through the act & becomes paranoid. She reveals to Monty that she is only titular head while Sir Judah calls all the shots. Slowly, a rift is caused between her & Sir Judah. Finally, it is revealed that she is going to start a school in the memory of Ravi. Monty & Tina perform at the function, where they perform on the song based on actual events that happened with Ravi.

Kamini learns that her game is up. She is horrified to see that Ravi's mother & sister are back. Kamini runs back to the mansion. When Monty comes to confront her, Kamini has totally lost her cool. In a fit of anger, Kamini blurts out her confession. Kabira comes out with police, who were hiding in the mansion, taping her confession. Just as she is about to be arrested, Judah appears with his henchmen, holding Ravi's estranged family under the gun. Judah agrees to release Tina in exchange of Kamini. Just as the exchange is about to take place, Tina, who has learnt all the truth, attacks Kamini. In the melee, Kabira & Monty gain an upper hand on the goons.

Judah tries to burn down Monty's family, but Monty saves them and kills him in a fire. Kamini takes the advantage of the situation & escapes through the jeep. Monty tracks her down vis his motorcycle. Finally, a standoff takes place, where Kamini again tries to maul Monty. But this time, Monty quickly steps sideways, leaving her to plummet to death with the jeep. He realizes that he is standing in front of the same Kali temple where he was murdered. He looks at the statue in a thankful gesture. In the end, Monty/Ravi finally gets his mother's blessings when he goes to honeymoon with Tina as his newlywed wife.

Cast[link]

• Rishi Kapoor - Monty Oberoi(Ravi's re-incarnation)
• Raj Kiran - Ravi Verma
• Simi Garewal - Kamini
• Tina Munim - Tina
• Premnath - Sir Judah
• Pran - Kabira(Tina's uncle)
• Durga Khote - Mrs. Shanta Prasad Verma (Ravi's mother)
• Abha Dhulia - Jyoti Verma(Ravi's sister)
• Jalal Agha - Dr. Dayal
• Pinchoo Kapoor - Mr. G.G. Oberoi
• Iftekhar - Dr. Daniel
• Viju Khote - Baayan(Kabira's Left)
• Birbal - Daayan(Kabira's Right)

Crew[link]

• Direction – Subhash Ghai
• Screenplay – Sachin Bhowmick
• Dialogue – Dr. Rahi Masoom Reza
• Production – Akhtar Farooqui, Jagjit Khurana
• Editing – Waman Bhonsle, Gurudutt Shirali
• Cinematography – Kamalakar Rao
• Direction Assistant – Ashok Ghai, Kuku Khanna
• Art Direction – Sudhendu Roy
• Costume Design – Bhanu Athaiya, Bhavana Munim, Satyawan
• Choreography – Suresh Bhatt
• Music Direction – Laxmikant-Pyarelal
• Lyrics – Anand Bakshi
• Playback – Mohammed Rafi, Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar, Manna Dey, Anuradha Paudwal

Soundtrack[link]

The soundtrack of the film includes tracks, composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal, and with lyrics by Anand Bakshi, who received two Filmfare nominations for these two hits, 'Om Shanti Om' and 'Dard-e-Dil', Laxmikant-Pyarelal however won the trophy for Best Music Director of the year. With hits like, "Ek Haseena Thi " and " Om Shanti Om " by Kishore Kumar and "Dard-E-Dil" by Mohd. Rafi, the soundtrack was a trendsetter for the disco music in the Indian music industry and film's background score, especially the signature tune are still remembered as one of the most memorable ones.^[2]

The film's chart-buster song, Meri umar ke naujawaanon (aka Om Shanti Om) sung by Kishore Kumar reached the number 2 spot on the Binaca Geetmala's annual list 1980, while another duet between Lata and Kishore, Tu Kitne Baras Ki reached number 13.^[3][4]

All lyrics written by Anand Bakshi, all music composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal.

Reception[link]

This story is about the reincarnation and the revenge became the ninth highest grosser of the year, and declared a "Semi Hit" nationwide and 80%/Big City Hit at the Indian Box Office.^[1] In a 2008 interview, film director, Subhash Ghai admitted that film was ahead of its time, and was thus panned by critics of the times, and "flopped" at the box office, it was only years later that it started being considered a classic and even remade several times over.^[5]

The film is also one of the finest films of Subhash Ghai, notable for picturization of songs like Ek Hasina Thi on stage as well as Dard-e-Dil, and set the standard for his future films, as most of them became known for his dramatic flair, and above all their music score. However, the director Subhash Ghai admitted that Karz was partly inspired by the 1975 American film The Reincarnation of Peter Proud, mixed in with Indian beliefs on reincarnation.^[6] In turn, both Karz and The Reincarnation of Peter Proud may have been inspired by the 1958 Hindi film Madhumati.^[7] Karz was itself remade several times: as the Kannada film Yuga Purusha (1989), the Tamil film Enakkul Oruvan (1984), and more recently the Hindi film Karzzzz (2008). Karz may have also inspired the American film Chances Are (1989).^[7]

Meanwhile, despite the Filmfare Best Music Director Award notwithstanding, films music turned out to be heavily "inspired" in the later years, like the dramatic Ek Hasina Thi was taken from George Benson's As We Love, while Om Shanti Om itself came from Trinidad Calypso artist Lord Shorty's version ^[6][8][9]

Influence[link]

Though the theme of reincarnation was earlier handled in Indian cinema in Madhumati (1958) directed by none other than Bimal Roy and written by Ritwik Ghatak, starring Vyjayantimala and Dilip Kumar, where lost lovers reunite in another birth, and also in Chetan Anand's lyrical Kudrat (1981), starring Raaj Kumar, Rajesh Khanna and Hema Malini. The modern twist with murder and revenge angle set in made Subhash Ghai's Karz a pot-boiler, and went on to inspire several other Indian remakes, notably the Kannada film Yuga Purusha (1989), the Tamil film Enakkul Oruvan (1984) starring Kamal Hassan, and more recently the Hindi film Karzzzz (2008) starring Himesh Reshammiya.^[8][9]

Film's hit song, 'Om Shanti Om', inspired the title of Shahrukh Khan starrer Om Shanti Om (2007), which again was a light-hearted tribute to the film.^[10]

Awards and nominations[link]

• 1981: Filmfare Award
  • Best Music Director: Winner: Laxmikant-Pyarelal
  • Best Supporting Actress: Simi Garewal: Nominated
  • Best Male Playback: Kishore Kumar: "Om Shanti Om": Nominated
  • Best Male Playback: Mohammed Rafi: "Darde Dil": Nominated
  • Best Lyricist: Anand Bakshi: "Om Shanti Om": Nominated
  • Best Lyricist: Anand Bakshi: "Darde Dil": Nominated"^[11]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Karz at the Internet Movie Database
• Karz at Bollywood Hungama
• Review of the film

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Rishi Kapoor
Born	(1952-09-04) 4 September 1952 (age 59) Chembur Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Other names	Chintu Ji
Occupation	Actor, Producer, Director
Years active	1970, 1973–present
Spouse	Neetu Singh (1980–present)
Children	Riddhima Kapoor Sahani, Ranbir Kapoor

Rishi Kapoor (Hindi: ऋषि कपूर) (born 4 September 1952^{[citation needed]}) is an Indian Bollywood actor, film producer and director.

Early life[link]

Born in south mumbai, Kapoor is the second son of film director and star Raj Kapoor. He did his schooling with his brothers at Campion School,Mumbai. His brothers are well-known actors: Randhir Kapoor and Rajiv Kapoor.

Career[link]

Rishi Kapoor debuted in his father's 1970 film Mera Naam Joker, playing his father's role as a child. Rishi Kapoor had his first lead role opposite Dimple Kapadia in the popular 1973 film Bobby which became an instant hit among youngsters. Since then he played leading roles as the romantic lead in over 100 films. He made a popular pairing with future wife Neetu Singh in films such as Khel Khel Mein (1975), Kabhie Kabhie (1976), Amar Akbar Anthony (1977) and Doosra Aadmi (1978). In the 1980s he appeared in hit films like Karz (1980), Naseeb (1981), Kaatilon Ke Kaatil (1981), Prem Rog 1982), Coolie (1983), Saagar (1985), Nagina (1986) and Chandni (1989). In the 1990s he continued to appear in hits like Henna (1991) which was his father's last directorial film later completed by his brother Randhir, Bol Radha Bol (1992), Deewana (1992) and Damini - Lightning (1993). After several box office failures from the mid 1990s, he eventually moved on to supporting roles in the 2000s. In 1999 he directed the film Aa Ab Laut Chalen, starring Aishwarya Rai, Akshaye Khanna, Kader Khan, Paresh Rawal and Jaspal Bhatti

His last film as a romantic lead was the delayed release Karobaar: The Business of Love (2000). He has since then played supporting roles in films like Yeh Hai Jalwa (2002), Hum Tum (2004), Fanaa (2006), Namaste London (2007), Love Aaj Kal (2009) and Patiala House (2010). He also appeared in the British films Don't Stop Dreaming (2007) and Sambar Salsa (2008). He reunited onscreen with Neetu Singh in the film Do Dooni Chaar (2010).

Kapoor has acted in Heena, directed by his brother, Randhir Kapoor and his father, the late Raj Kapoor, and in Prem Granth, a movie produced by the three Kapoor brothers (Rishi, Randhir and Rajiv Kapoor, directed by Rajiv Kapoor).

Rishi has acted in the movie Chintu Ji in which he plays himself. The film has references that pertain to Raj Kapoor, his father, his mother, his wife and his earlier films like Chandni, Mera Naam Joker and others.^[1] In 2012 he appeared in a villainous role in Agneepath and in the multi-starrer Housefull 2 where he appeared with brother Randhir for the first time.

Personal life[link]

Rishi Kapoor is married to actress of the seventies, Neetu Singh. Initially when Kapoor told his parents that he wanted to marry Singh, they refused, as did Singh's parents. It is famously known that Kapoor went to Singh's house while he was sick and had a fever to go ask for Neetu Singh's hand in marriage. His determination did not go unnoticed, and eventually both sides agreed. The couple tied the knot in 1981 after a highly publicized engagement. Kapoor was 29 at the time. Today Kapoor and Singh are happily married and have two children; Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor and designer Riddhima Kapoor Sahani. Rishi is the paternal uncle of today's actresses Karishma Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor.

Awards[link]

National Film Awards[link]

• 1971 - National Film Award for Best Child Artist for Mera Naam Joker

Filmfare Awards[link]

Winner

• 1974 - Filmfare Best Actor Award for Bobby
• 2008 - Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award
• 2011 - Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor for Do Dooni Chaar

Nominated

• 1980 - Filmfare Best Actor Award for Sargam
• 1983 - Filmfare Best Actor Award for Prem Rog
• 1986 - Filmfare Best Actor Award for Tawaif
• 1990 - Filmfare Best Actor Award for Chandni
• 2010 - Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for Luck By Chance

Other Awards[link]

• 1970 - Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards: Special Award for Mera Naam Joker.^[2]
• 2006 - Zee Cine Award for Lifetime Achievement
• 2007 - MTV Lycra Awards: Maha Style Icon of the Year 2006.[2]
• 2008 - FICCI "Living Legend in Entertainment" Award.^[3][4]
• 2008 - Lifetime Achievement Award at the 10th Mumbai Academy of the Moving Image International Film (M.A.M.I).^[5]
• 2009 - Honoured by Russian Government for contribution to cinema.^[6]
• 2010 - Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards: Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Love Aaj Kal.^[7]
• 2010 - Star Screen Award for Best Supporting Actor for Luck By Chance
• 2011 - Zee Cine Awards: Best Lifetime Jodi along with Neetu Singh.^[8]
• 2011 - Stardust Award for Best Actor for Do Dooni Chaar.^[9]

Filmography[link]

Following is the filmography of Rishi Kapoor along with his "Lead Female Actors".

Television[link]

• Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah...Mr. Duggal

References[link]

External links[link]

• Rishi Kapoor at the Internet Movie Database

Tina Munim
Born	Tina Munim (1957-02-11) 11 February 1957 (age 55) Mumbai, India
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1978–1991
Spouse	Anil Ambani

Tina Munim (born on 11 February 1957) is an Indian film actress who had a successful Bollywood career during the late seventies and early eighties. She is married to Anil Ambani. She is involved in a number of philanthropic and charity activities and is currently running an NGO and a hospital.

Early life and background[link]

Munim was born in Mumbai in a Gujarati-speaking family. She belongs to the Svetambara sect of Jainism. Her forefathers were royal merchants in the service of the Burmese kings under British rule.

Career[link]

Munim was discovered by Dev Anand after she represented India at the International Teen Princess contest in Aruba, and won the Miss Photogenic and Miss Bikini awards. Tina aspired to become a Paris-trained couturier and was poised to travel there for her studies in design when approached with a cinematic offer.^{[citation needed]}

In 1978, Dev Anand cast her in his film Des Pardes, which launched her film career. He would repeatedly cast her in several other films with him in the lead role, such as Lootmaar and Man Pasand.

Sunil Dutt launched his son Sanjay Dutt in his film debut Rocky. Tina was chosen as Sanjay's heroine.

Tina Munim fell in love with Rajesh Khanna, when they were paired together in Fiffty Fiffty, Souten, Bewafai, Suraag, Insaaf Main Karoonga and Adhikar and films where she was not heroine of Rajesh like Rajput, Akhir Kyun and Paapi Pet Ka Sawaal Hai.^[1] Khanna formed popular on-screen and off screen pair with Tina in the eighties^[2] but the relation ended when Tina decided to go to California to graduate.^[3] In 1985 Rajesh Khanna turned into a film producer and cast Tina Munim as his female lead in the film Alag Alag.^[4] In 1992, Ram Awatar Agnihotri wrote that it was in the films Alag Alag and Adhikar, both opposite Rajesh Khanna that Tina Munim showed the "first sparks" of the dedicated actress she would become. Tina regards her performance in the film Adhikar as the best performance of her career.^[5]

Apart from Dev Anand and Rajesh Khanna, she also made a popular screen team with actor Rishi Kapoor, since they were paired romantically in six films, of which two were hits Subhash Ghai's Karz and Katilon Ke Kaatil. Director Basu Chatterjee repeatedly cast her in his films, such as Baaton Baaton Mein and Man Pasand.

Tina's nephew Karan Shah tried to follow in her footsteps by starring in the teen love story Jawani (1984) opposite Neelam, but Karan's film career fizzled.^[6]

In the year 1987, Munim made the conscious decision to put her Bollywood career on a hiatus. She moved to California and attended college.

Personal life[link]

Tina Munim had an affair with Rajesh Khanna from 1981-87 but the relation broke off in 1987.^[7] Later Munim married Anil Ambani, brother of Mukesh Ambani, now one of the richest men in the world. She has three children including Zahir and Anshul. Today she is involved in a number of charity, arts, and talent endeavours and hasn't appeared in any film since 1991.^[8]

Tina Munim is involved in charity events as follows:

• Harmony Foundation - For Senior citizens.

• Harmony Art Foundation - For Promoion of Art.

• Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital & Medical Research Institute - Mumbai

• Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Nursing College (KDA-NC) - Mumbai.

Filmography[link]

References[link]

Kishore Kumar (4 August 1929 – 13 October 1987), born Abhas Kumar Kanjilal Ganguly was an Indian film playback singer and an actor who also worked as lyricist, composer, producer, director, screenwriter and scriptwriter. Kishore Kumar sang in many Indian languages including Bengali, Hindi, Marathi, Assamese, Gujarati, Kannada, Bhojpuri, Malayalam and Oriya. He won 8 Filmfare Awards for Best Male Playback Singer and holds the record for most number of Filmfare Awards won in that category. He was awarded the "Lata Mangeshkar Award" by the Madhya Pradesh government and from that year onwards, the Madhya Pradesh Government initiated a new award called the "Kishore Kumar Award" for contributions to Hindi cinema.

Early life[link]

Kishore Kumar was born into the Ganguly family in Khandwa, Central Provinces and Berar (now in Madhya Pradesh) as Abhas Kumar Ganguly.^[1] His father Kunjalal Ganguly (Gangopadhya) was a lawyer. His mother Gouri Devi came from a wealthy Bengali family. Kishore was the youngest of four siblings, the other three being Ashok Kumar (the eldest), Sati Devi, and Anoop Kumar. The composer Bappi Lahiri is also related to Kishore Kumar on his mother's side.

While Kishore was still a child, Ashok Kumar became a Bollywood actor. (Later, Anoop Kumar also ventured into cinema with the help of Ashok Kumar). Spending time with his brothers, Kishore also started to take a keen interest in movies and music. He became a fan of singer-actor Kundan Lal Saigal, whom he considered his guru, and tried to follow Saigal's singing style.

Career[link]

After Ashok Kumar became a Bollywood star, the Ganguly family used to visit Bombay regularly. Abhas Kumar changed his name to Kishore Kumar and started his cinema career as a chorus singer at Bombay Talkies, where his brother worked. Kishore Kumar's first film as an actor was Shikari (1946), in which Ashok Kumar played the lead role. Music director Khemchand Prakash gave Kishore Kumar a chance to sing "Marne ki duayen kyon mangu" for the film Ziddi (1948). After this, Kishore Kumar got many other assignments, but he was not very serious about a film career.^[2] In 1949, he decided to settle in Mumbai.

Kishore Kumar played hero in the Bombay Talkies film Andolan (1951), directed by Phani Majumdar. Although Kishore Kumar got some assignments as an actor with help of his brother, he was more interested in becoming a singer. He was not interested in acting, but his elder brother Ashok Kumar wanted him to be an actor like himself.^[3]

He starred in Bimal Roy's Naukri (1954) and Hrishikesh Mukherjee's directorial debut Musafir (1957). Salil Chowdhury, the music director for Naukri was initially dismissive of him as a singer, when he came to know that Kishore Kumar didn't have any formal training in music.^[4] However, after hearing his voice, he gave him the song Chhota sa ghar hoga, which was supposed to be sung by Hemant Kumar.

Kishore Kumar starred in films New Delhi (1957), Aasha (1957), Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958), Half Ticket (1962), and Padosan (1968). Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi, his home production, starred the three Ganguly brothers and Madhubala. The film is about romance between a city girl (Madhubala) and a car mechanic (Kishore Kumar), with a subplot involving the brothers.

Music director S. D. Burman is credited with spotting Kishore Kumar's talent as a singer, and advancing his singing career. During the making of Mashaal (1950), Burman visited Ashok Kumar's house, where he heard Kishore imitating K. L. Saigal. He complimented Kishore and told him that he should develop a style of his own, instead of copying Saigal.^[3] Kishore Kumar did not have a formal training in music.^[5] He kept Burman's advice in mind and eventually developed his own style of singing, which featured the yodeling that he had heard on the gramophone records of Tex Morton and Jimmie Rodgers bought by his brother Anoop Kumar.^[6]

S. D. Burman recorded with Kishore for Dev Anand's Munimji (1954), Taxi Driver (1954), House No. 44 (1955), Funtoosh (1956), Nau Do Gyarah (1957), Paying Guest (1957), Guide (1965), Jewel Thief (1967), Prem Pujari (1970), and Tere Mere Sapne (1971). He also composed music for Kishore Kumar's home production Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958). Some of their initial films included the songs "Maana Janaab Ne Pukara Nahin" from Paying Guest, "Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke" from Nau Do Gyarah (1957), "Ai Meri Topi Palat Ke Aa" from Funtoosh, and "Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhaagi Si" and "Haal Kaisa Hai Janaab Ka" from Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958).^[7] Asha Bhosle and Kishore Kumar performed duets composed by S. D. Burman including "Chhod Do Aanchal" from Paying Guest (1957), "Ankhon Mein Kya Ji" from Nau Do Gyarah (1957), "Haal Kaisa Hai Janaab Ka" and "Paanch Rupaiya Baara Aana" from Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958), "Chhedo Na Meri Zulfein" from Ganga Ki Lahren (1964), and "Arre Yaar Meri Tum Bhi Ho Gajab" from [Teen Devian|Teen Deviyan] (1965).

C. Ramchandra was another music director who recognized Kishore Kumar's talent as a singer.^[4] Their collaborations include "Eena Meena Deeka" from Aasha (1957). Kishore Kumar's work includes "Nakhrewaali" from New Delhi (1956) by Shankar Jaikishan, and "C.A.T. Cat Maane Billi" and "Hum To Mohabbat Karega" from Dilli Ka Thug (1958) by Ravi.

Kishore Kumar produced, directed, and acted in Jhumroo (1961). He wrote the lyrics for the title song, "Main Hoon Jhumroo," and composed music for all the songs in the film. Later, he produced and directed Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein (1964). He wrote the script and composed music for the film. Its based on the relationship between a father (Kishore Kumar) and his deaf and mute son (played by his real-life son, Amit Kumar). He made another two films called Door Ka Rahi (1971) and Door Waadiyon Mein Kahin (1980).

In the 1960s, as an actor, Kishore Kumar built up a notoriety for coming late for the shootings, or bunking them altogether.^[8] His films flopped frequently, and he landed in income tax trouble.^[3] As a singer, his work in this period includes "Zaroorat Hai Zaroorat Hai" from Manmauji (1961), "Gaata Rahe Mera Dil" from Guide (1965), and "Yeh Dil Na Hota Bechara" from Jewel Thief (1967).

In the late 1960s, Rahul Dev Burman worked together on the soundtrack of the film Padosan (1968), in which Kishore Kumar sang the songs "Mere Saamne Wali Khidki Mein" and "Kehna Hai." Padosan was a comedy film starring Kishore Kumar as a dramatist-musician, Mehmood as a Carnatic music and dance teacher, and Sunil Dutt as a simpleton named Bhola. Kishore Kumar's character in was inspired by the personality of his uncle, Dhananjay Bannerjee (a classical singer).^[2] The highlight of the film was a musical, comical duel between Kishore Kumar-Sunil Dutt and Mehmood: "Ek Chatur Nar Karke Singaar."

In 1969, Shakti Samanta produced and directed the film Aradhana, for which the music was composed by S. D. Burman. Burman fell ill after recording some duet songs with Mohammed Rafi, Asha Bhosle, Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar. Afterwards, his son and assistant Rahul Dev Burman took over the recording. R. D. Burman got Kishore Kumar to solo sing the songs "Mere Sapno Ki Rani" and "Roop Tera Mastana". Kishore Kumar won his first Filmfare award for the song "Roop Tera Mastana." It is widely believed that this film established Kishore Kumar as a leading playback singer in Bollywood.

1970s and 1980s[link]

In 1970s and 1980s Kishore Kumar sang for Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Jeetendra, Sanjeev Kumar, Dev Anand, Shashi Kapoor, Randhir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Mithun Chakraborty, Sanjay Dutt, Sunny Deol, Anil Kapoor and Jackie Shroff.

S. D. Burman and Kishore Kumar continued to work together, including "Phoolon Ke Rang Se" and "Shokhiyon Mein Ghola Jaaye" from Prem Pujari (1969), "Aaj Madhosh Hua Jaaye Re," "Khilte Hain Gul Yahan" and "O Meri Sharmilee" from Sharmilee (1971), "Meet na mila" from Abhimaan (1973), "Pyaar Ke Is Khel Mein" from Jugnu, "Phoolon Ke Dere Hain" from Zameer (1974}. In 1975, S. D. Burman composed his last song for Kishore Kumar. S. D. Burman went into a coma for the second time, soon after Kishore recorded the song "Badi Sooni Sooni Hai Zindagi" for the film Mili.^[4]

R. D. Burman frequently used Kishore Kumar as the male singer and recorded several songs with him in the 1970s. Some Kishore Kumar-R. D. Burman songs include "O Maajhi Re" from Khushboo, "Yeh Shaam Mastaani" and "Yeh Jo Mohabbat Hai" from Kati Patang (1971), "Chingari Koi Bhadke" and "Kuchh To Log Kahenge" from Amar Prem (1972), "Raat Kali Ek Khwab Mein Aayi" from Buddha Mil Gaya (1971), "Musafir Hoon Yaaron" from Parichay (1972), "Diye Jalte Hain" from Namak Haraam (1973), "Meri Bheegi Bheegi Si" from Anamika (1973), "Zindagi Ke Safar Mein" from Aap Ki Kasam (1974), "Agar Tum Na Hote" and "Humein Tum Se Pyaar Kitna" from Kudrat, "Mere Naina Saawan Bhadon" from Mehbooba, and "Chingari Koi Bhadke (Amar Prem)" and "Jab Bhi Koi Kangana" from Shaukeen (1986).

R. D. Burman recorded several duets pairing Kishore Kumar with Asha Bhosle and with Lata Mangeshkar. Some of these duets include "Panna Ki Tamanna" from Heera Panna (1973), "Neend Chura Ke Raaton Mein" from the film Shareef Budmaash, "Kya Yehi Pyaar Hai" from Sanjay Dutt's debut film Rocky (1981), "Sagar Kinare" from Sagar in [1985], "Aap Ki Aankhon Mein Kuchh" from Ghar, "Jaane Ja Dhoondta" and "Nahi Nahi" from Jawani Diwani, "Kharoshoo" from Harjai (1982).

Apart from the Burmans, Kishore Kumar worked with other music directors as well. The composer duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal (L-P) composed many songs sung by him. Some of their songs include "Mere Mehboob Qayamat Hogi" from Mr. X In Bombay, "Mere Naseeb Mein Aye Dost" from Do Raaste, "Yeh Jeevan Hai" from Piya Ka Ghar, "Mere Dil Mein Aaj Kya Hai" from Daag: A Poem of Love, "Nahi Mai Nahi Dekh Sakta" from Majboor, "Mere diwanepan ki bhi" from Mehboob Ki Mehndi, "Naach Meri Bulbul" from Roti, "Chal Chal Mere Haathi" from Haathi Mere Saathi, "Gaadi Bula Rahi Hai" from Dost, "Ruk Jaana Nahi" from Imtihaan, "Ek Ritu Aaye" from Gautam Govinda, "My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves" from Amar Akbar Anthony, "Bahut Khoobsurat Jawan Ek Ladki" from Dostana and "Om Shanti Om" as well as "Paisa Yeh Paisa" from Karz. Laxmikant-Pyarelal composed several Kishore-Lata duets, including "Achchha To Hum Chalte Hain" from Aan Milo Sajna, "Gore Rang Pe Na Itna" from Roti, "Main Solah Baras Ki" from Karz, and "Din Mahine Saal" from Avtaar, "Tu Kitne Baras Ki" from Karz. L-P also got Kishore Kumar and Mohammed Rafi to sing duets for the films Dostana, Ram Balram and Deedaar-E-Yaar. L-P composed a duet with Kishore Kumar and Alisha Chinoy, "I love you (Kaate Nahin Katate Yeh Din Yeh Raat)" from Mr. India in (1987). Salil Chowdhury recorded songs like "Koi Hota Jisko Apna" from Mere Apne and "Gujar Gaye Din Din" from Annadata. Ravindra Jain recorded "Ghungroo Ki Tarah" and the duet "Le Jaayenge Le Jaayenge" from Chor Machaye Shor and the duet "Tota Maina Ki Kahani" from Fakira. Khaiyyaam recorded beautiful duets with Lata Mangeshkar such as "Hazar Rahein" from Thodisi Bewafai, Aankhon Mein Humne Aapke Sapne Sajaye Hain, Chandani Raat Mein Ek Bar. Hridaynath Mangeshkar recorded Zindagi Aa Raha Hoon Main from Mashaal. Kalyanji-Anandji recorded several songs with Kishore Kumar including Zindagi Ka Safar and Jeevan Se Bhari Teri Aankhein, from Safar, Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas from Black Mail, Apne Jeevan Ki Uljhan from Uljhan, Mera Jeevan Kora Kagaz from Kora Kagaz, O Saathi Re from Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Khaike Paan Banaraswala from Don, Neele Neele Ambar Par from Kalakar and Pal Bhar Ke Liye from Johny Mera Naam.

Other composers including Rajesh Roshan, Sapan Chakravarty, Jaidev, Chitragupta (composer), Usha Khanna, Sohnik Omi, Prem Dhawan, Vanraj Bhatia and Bappi Lahiri also worked with Kishore Kumar. Rajesh Roshan's film Julie featured songs sung by Kishore Kumar, Bhool Gaya Saab Kuchh (duet with Lata Mangeshkar) and Dil Kya Kare Jab Kisise. Their other songs include Yaadon Mein Woh from Swami, Chhookar mere man ko from Yaarana, Tune Abhi Dekha Nahin from Do Aur Do Paanch and Kahan Tak Ye Man Ko Andhere Chhalenge as well as Kahiye, Suniye (duet with Asha Bhosle) from Baaton Baaton Mein. Bappi Lahiri also recorded many songs with Kishore Kumar, including Pag Ghunghroo Bandh from Namak Halal (1982), Manzilen Apni Jagah Hai from Sharaabi (1984) and Chalte Chalte Mere Ye Geet from Chalte Chalte (1976), Saason Se Nahi Kadmose Nahi from Mohabbat in (1987) and duets with (Lata Mangeshkar)) like Taa thaiya from Himmatwala in (1984), Albela Mausam from Tohfa in (1985) and another duet Pyar Ka Tohfa from the same film.

During the Indian Emergency (1975–1977), Sanjay Gandhi asked Kishore Kumar to sing for an Indian National Congress rally in Mumbai, but he refused.^[9] As a result, Information and broadcasting minister Vidya Charan Shukla (1975-1977) put an unofficial ban on playing Kishore Kumar songs on the All India Radio and Doordarshan from 4th May, 1976 till the end of the Emergency.^[10][11]

Later years[link]

Kishore Kumar produced and directed some movies in the late 1970s and early 1980s, such as Badhti Ka Naam Daadhi (1978), Zindagi (1981) and Door Wadiyon Mein Kahin (1980): His last appearance as an actor.

With patronage from R. D. Burman and Rajesh Roshan, Kishore Kumar's son Amit Kumar became a Bollywood singer in the 1980s. Kishore Kumar also continued singing for several actors. He also did some stage shows, apparently to earn money to pay his income tax arrears.^[8] Kishore Kumar stopped singing for Amitabh Bachchan in the mid-1980s, after Bachchan did not do a guest appearance in a film produced by him but called a truce with him by singing for him in Toofan.^[12] He also temporarily stopped singing for Mithun Chakraborty, after Yogeeta Bali divorced him and married Chakraborty.^[13] However, later Kumar sang for him in many films like Disco Dancer, Muddat, and Pyar Ka Mandir.

In the mid-1980s, Kishore Kumar sang for Anil Kapoor in Kapoor's debut film as a leading man, Woh Saat Din and also recorded Mr. India. He sang a duet with Alka Yagnik, "Tumse Badhkar Duniya Mein Na Dekha" for Kaamchor in (1986). He also recorded some songs for the film Saagar with R. D. Burman. By this time, he had decided to retire and was planning to go back to his birthplace, Khandwa.^[8]

On 13 October 1987, his brother Ashok's 76th birthday, he died of a heart attack in Mumbai at 4:45 pm. His body was taken to Khandwa for cremation. He had recorded his last song a day before he died. The song was Guru Guru, a duet with Asha Bhosle, for the film Waqt Ki Aawaz (1988) composed by Bappi Lahiri for Mithun Chakraborty and Sridevi.

Kishore Kumar's song Pal Bhar Ke Liye from the film Johny Mera Naam (1970) was used in an episode of The Simpsons titled "Kiss Kiss, Bang Bangalore."^[14] His songs have been featured in several films, including Such a Long Journey (1998) and Side Streets (1998).^[15] Sony TV organised the television singing contest K for Kishore to search for a singer like Kishore Kumar.

Personal life[link]

Kishore Kumar married four times. His first wife was Bengali singer and actress Ruma Guha Thakurta aka Ruma Ghosh. Their marriage lasted from 1950 to 1958.

Kishore's second wife was actress Madhubala, who had worked with him on many films including his home production Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958) and Jhumroo (1961). When Kishore Kumar proposed to her, Madhubala was sick and was planning to go to London for treatment. At this time, she didn't know that she had a ventricular septal defect, and her father wanted her to wait and consult the London doctors first. Furthermore, at the time he was married to Ruma. After his divorce, because Kishore Kumar was Bengali Hindu and Madhubala Muslim, they had a civil wedding ceremony in 1960. His parents refused to attend. The couple also had a Hindu ceremony to please Kumar's parents, but Madhubala was never truly accepted as his wife. Within a month of her wedding she moved back to her bungalow in Bandra because of tension in the Kishore Kumar household. They remained married but under great strain for the remainder of Madhubala's life. The doctors in London told Madhubala that she would not live for long. The marriage lasted for nine years, and ended with Madhubala's death on 23 February 1969.

Kishore Kumar's third marriage was to Yogeeta Bali, and lasted from 1976 to 4 August 1978. Kishore was married to Leena Chandavarkar from 1980 until his death. Kishore Kumar sired two sons, Amit Kumar (playback singer) with Ruma, and Sumit Kumar with Leena Chandavarkar.

Kumar is said to have been paranoid about not being paid.^[2] During recordings, he would sing only after his secretary confirmed that the producer had made the payment.^[16] Once, when he discovered that his dues hadn't been fully paid, he landed up for shooting with make-up on only one side of his face. When the director questioned him, he replied "Aadha paisa to aadha make-up." (Half make-up for half payment).^[2] On the sets of Bhai Bhai, Kishore Kumar refused to act because the director M V Raman owed him five thousand rupees. Ashok Kumar persuaded him to do the scene. But, when the shooting started, he walked across the floor and, each time he walked a few places, he said, Paanch Hazzar Rupaiya (five thousand rupees) and did a somersault. After he reached the end of the floor, he went out of the studio, jumped into his car, and ordered his driver Abdul to drive away.^[17] On another occasion, when producer R. C. Talwar did not pay his dues in spite of repeated reminders, Kishore turned up at Talwar's residence one morning and started shouting "Hey Talwar, de de mere aath hazaar" ("Hey Talwar, give me my eight thousand"). He did this every morning until Talwar paid him.^[16]

The film Anand (1971) was originally supposed to star Kishore Kumar and Mehmood Ali in the lead.^[18] Hrishikesh Mukherjee, the director of the film, was asked to meet Kishore Kumar to discuss the project. However, when he went to Kishore Kumar's house, he was driven away by the gatekeeper due to a misunderstanding. Kishore Kumar (himself a Bengali) hadn't been paid for a stage show organized by another Bengali man, and had instructed his gatekeeper to drive away this "Bengali", if he ever visited the house. When Hrishikesh Mukherjee (also a Bengali) went to Kishore Kumar's house, the gatekeeper drove him away, mistaking him for the "Bengali" that Kishore Kumar had asked him to drive away. Consequently, Mehmood had to leave the film as well, and new actors (Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan) were signed up for the film.^[18]

In spite of his "no money, no work" principle, sometimes Kishore Kumar recorded for free even when the producers were willing to pay. Such films include those produced by Rajesh Khanna and Danny Denzongpa.^[19] On one occasion, Kishore Kumar helped actor-turned-producer Bipin Gupta, by giving him Rs. 20,000 for the film Dal Mein Kala (1964). When actor Arun Kumar Mukherjee died, Kishore Kumar regularly sent money to his family in Bhagalpur.^[17] Mukherjee was one of the first persons to appreciate Kishore's singing talent.^[17]

Many journalists and writers have written about Kishore Kumar's seemingly eccentric behavior.^[20][21] Kishore Kumar had put a "Beware of Kishore" sign at the door of his Warden Road flat, where he stayed for some time while his bungalow was being done up. Once, producer-director H. S. Rawail, who owed him some money, visited his flat to pay the dues. Kishore Kumar took the money, and when Rawail offered to shake hands with him, he reportedly put Rawail's hand in his mouth, bit it, and asked "Didn’t you see the sign?". Rawail laughed off the incident and left quickly.^[17] Kishore Kumar was a loner, and in an interview with Pritish Nandy (1985), he said that he had no friends – he preferred talking to his trees instead.^[22] Once, when a reporter made a comment about how lonely he must be, Kishore Kumar took her to his garden. He then named some of the trees in his garden, and introduced them to the reporter as his closest friends.^[17]

According to another reported incident, once Kishore Kumar was to record a song for producer-director G. P. Sippy. As Sippy approached his bungalow, he saw Kishore going out in his car. Sippy pleaded him to stop his car, but Kishore only increased the speed of his car. Sippy chased him to Madh Island, where Kishore Kumar finally stopped his car near the ruined Madh Fort. When Sippy questioned his strange behavior, Kishore Kumar refused to recognize or talk to him and threatened to call police. Sippy had to return. Next morning, Kishore Kumar reported for the recording. An angry Sippy questioned him about his behavior on the previous day. However, Kishore Kumar insisted that Sippy must have seen a dream, and claimed that he was in Khandwa on the previous day.^[23]

Once, a producer went to court to get a decree that Kishore Kumar must follow the director's orders. As a consequence, Kishore Kumar obeyed the director to the letter. He refused to alight from his car until the director ordered him to do so. Once, after a car scene in Mumbai, he drove on till Khandala because the director forgot to say "Cut".^[17] In the 1960s, a financier named Kalidas Batvabbal, patently disgusted with Kishore Kumar's alleged lack of cooperation during the shooting of Half Ticket, gave him away to the income tax authorities. Kishore had to face a raid at his house. Later, Kishore invited Batvabbal home, tricked him by asking him to enter a cupboard for a "chat" and locked him inside. He unlocked Batvabbal after two hours and told him "Don’t ever come to my house again."^[17]

Filmography[link]

List of songs[link]

Awards[link]

Filmfare Awards

Winner:

Nominated:

Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards

Winner:

• 1971 - Best Male Playback Singer for Aradhana^[24]
• 1972 - Best Male Playback Singer for Andaz^[25]
• 1973 - Best Male Playback Singer for Hare Rama Hare Krishna^[26]
• 1975 - Best Male Playback Singer for Kora Kagaz^[27]

See also[link]

• Kishore Kumar filmography
• List of songs by Kishore Kumar
• List of Indian playback singers
• Hindi songs

References[link]

Further reading[link]

• Bose, Derek (2004). Kishore Kumar: Method in Madness. New Delhi: Rupa & Co.. ISBN 978-81-291-0526-4. OCLC 57429780. 
• Valicha, Kishore (1998). Kishore Kumar: The Definitive Biography. New York/New Delhi: Penguin Books/Viking. ISBN 978-0-670-88264-9. OCLC 40164015. 
• Nerurkar, Vishwas (2004). Kishore Kumar: The Many Faces of a Genius (The Ultimate Book which includes his complete filmography, discography, unreleased material, and film posters of his films). Gayathri Publications. 

External links[link]

• Kishore Kumar at the Internet Movie Database

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