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Amit Kumar (born 3 July 1952) is an Indian film playback singer, actor, director, and music director. He is the son of the famous singer and actor Kishore Kumar and the Bengali singer and actress Ruma Guha Thakurta. Like his father, Amit loved singing and from childhood used to sing during Durga Pooja functions in Kolkata. Once when he was performing on stage in a Durga Pooja function arranged by Bengali actor Uttam Kumar, people kept requesting more songs and this information reached his mother. She complained to Kishore Kumar that his son was singing "filmy" songs. Hearing this Kishore Kumar decided to bring him to Bombay.

Before this, Kishore Kumar had cast Amit as his son in two critically acclaimed films that he produced himself, Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein (the well known song "Aa chalke tujhe, mein leke chaloon" was filmed with Kishore Kumar singing to his eleven-year-old son) and Door Ka Raahi (with Amit as a teenager).

He has sung many popular Bollywood and regional film songs since the 1970s. Apart from Hindi songs, he sang several songs in Bangla, Bhojpuri, Oriya, Assamese, Marathi, Konkani.

1970s[link]

Amit Kumar made his debut as a child singing and acting in his father's movie Door Ka Raahi. He recorded the song "Main ik panchi matwaala re", which was later removed from the film.

In the 1976 film Balika Badhu he sang "Bade achchhe lagte hain", by the legendary composer R. D. Burman, with whom he subsequently recorded many other songs.

In the late '70s "Aati rahengi baharein", from Kasme Vaade, was a huge hit, which he sang for Randhir Kapoor, while Kishore Kumar sang for Amitabh Bachchan.

Amit Kumar sang many hit songs in various films, including Aandhi, Aap Ke Deewane, Khatta Meetha, Gol Maal, Des Pardes, Ganga Ki Saugandh, Deewanagi, Duniya Meri Jeb Mein, Parvarish, Baton Baton Mein, and others. The duet sung with Lata Mangeshkar from the film Baton Baton Mein - "Uthe sabke kadam" - became popular.

As a leading playback singer in Bollywood, he sang many songs for Kumar Gaurav, who was a new star in the 1980s. But most of his songs are recorded and released for Anil Kapoor.

1980s[link]

Amit sang all the songs for the 1981 hit film Love Story, and won a Filmfare Award for the duet "Yaad aa rahi hai" with Lata Mangeshkar. Composer R. D. Burman jokingly told Amit before its release that this song sounds like a "Bhajan".

In 1980 the actor Feroz Khan produced the film Qurbani (1980 film), from which the song "Laila o Laila" became a big hit, with Amit Kumar rendering his voice for Amjad Khan.

His duet "Tu rootha toh main ro doongi sanam" with Asha Bhonsle from the film Jawani (1984), composed by R. D. Burman was a mega hit. Another chart-buster from 1983 from the film Haadsaa was "Yeh Bombay shehar haadsoon ka sheher hai".

In this decade, Amit Kumar sang for almost all music directors, actors, producing hit after hit. He became the voice of Anil Kapoor in the 1980s, but before this many hit songs were also released for Kumar Gaurav in films such as Romance (1983), Teri Kasam, Lovers (1983), All rounder, and Telefilm-Janam. In this decade Kumar sang hits for Anil Kapoor in films including Tezaab, Yudh.

The song from Tridev filmed with Naseeruddin Shah, "Oye oye- Tirchi topi waaley", was a nationwide hit. Amit also sang for Naseeruddin Shah in the film Hero Hiralal.

Soon after Kishore Kumar's death, he and his half-brother Sumit Kumar released an album called Dui Kishore as a tribute to their father.

Early 1990s to mid-1990s[link]

In 1990 the film Hum and the song "Sanam mere sanam" brought another big hit for Amit. Baaghi: A Rebel for Love had a smash hit in the song "Kaisa lagta hai". From the film Ghayal the song "Pyaar tum mujhase" was popular.

Amit delivered more hits for the film Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa. The songs "Deewana dil deewana" and "Sachhi yeh kahani hai" were hits, especially the former.

In this decade, he sang for other hit films including Awwal Number, ChaalBaaz, Khel (1992 film)|Khek]], Vishwatma, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, Judaai), Indrajeet.

Amit Kumar enjoyed a special work relationship with the music duo Anand-Milind, who heavily promoted Kumar in the early 1990s. Among their best works are: Baaghi: A Rebel for Love, Mera Pati Sirf Mera Hain, Maha-Sangram, Swarg, Suryavanshi, Anjaane Rishtey, Talaashi, Jawani Zindabad, Sangdil Sanam, Deewana Mujh Sa Nahin and Rakhwala. Anand-Milind were one of the few new-age music composers of that period who regularly recorded with Amit Kumar, making him the voice for Salman Khan and Aamir Khan.

Amit Kumar also enjoyed success with another fresh talent from the 1990s, Jatin-Lalit, who had Amit Kumar croon hit numbers in several films such as Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham....

Later in the decade his career declined with the invasion of many other Kishore Kumar clones and the death of R. D. Burman, with whom Amit had a special bonding. Kumar started withdrawing and undertaking more live stage performances in various parts of the world.

He lost out on singing for Burman's last mega hit 1942: A Love Story, and he has stated in an interview that Burman was under pressure to use another singer for the songs because it was the "trend" in those days.

During these years, he composed and released music albums which were not much successful. Some of these are:

• MAD
• Pyaar toh bas pyaar hai
• Dam dama dam

Some music directors tried to recreate the old magic by composing songs similar to the ones in the 1970s sung by his legendary father. However, success on this front was elusive.

Television[link]

• In the late 1980s, Kumar rendered his voice to TV serials on Doordarshan such as Chuanuti and Campus.
• He also did songs for the Telefilm Janam.
• He sang the title tracks for the Hindi-dubbed version of Disney's animated series Duck Tales and Bob the Builder.
• He was one of the main judges in the May 2008 singing competition reality TV show K for Kishore, where singers tried to recreate the magic of Kishore Kumar's songs on Sony Entertainment Television Asia.

2000-2010[link]

• He will be the main judge in the singing competition on Zee Bangla TV for the show: Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Mr/Miss Universe 2010.
• He also sang two songs in Raju Chacha, starring Ajay Devgan, Kajol and Rishi Kapoor - "Dil dil ka yeh kaam hai" and "Kahin se ayi Rani".
• He sang "Tigde Tigde" with Neetha Subhir for Kandahar, starring Mohanlal and Amitabh Bachchan.

Bangla-Hindi connection[link]

Not many people know that one of the most popular duet songs of Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar, "Kya yehi pyaar hai" from Rocky (1981 film)Rocky]], the debut film of Sanjay Dutt, composed by R. D. Burman, was initially sung by Amit Kumar in Bangla film.

There are seven songs sung by Amit and his father separately. All Bangla songs were sung by Amit and their Hindi versions were sung by Kishore. Songs are:

Filmafare Awards[link]

Won[link]

Nominated[link]

Acting Stint[link]

Amit Kumar also acted in films that were directed by and starred his father, notably Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein (1964), Door Ka Raahi (1971), Badhti Ka Naam Dadhi (1974) and Shabhash Daddy (1979).

Amit Kumar Filmography[link]

See Amit Kumar Filmography

Some popular songs[link]

1. "Dilrubaon ke jalwe" (Dulha Mil Gaya, 2009 / 2010)
2. "Main ek panchhi" (Door Ka Raahi)
3. "Main jis din bhula dun" (Police Public)
4. "Teri yaad aa rahi hai" (Love Story, 1981)
5. "Dekho maine dekha hai ye ek sapna" (Love Story, 1981)
6. "Aankho mein band karloon" (Sangdil Sanam)
7. "Aankhon mein band karloon" (Sad version) (Sangdil Sanam)
8. "One two three give me a kiss" (Sangdil Sanam)
9. "Sanam sangdil sanam" (Sangdil Sanam)
10. "Aap ko dekh ke" (Kishen Kanhaiya)
11. "Ye zameen gaa rahi hai" (Teri Kasam)
12. "Bade acche lagate hain" (Balika Badhu, (1976))
13. "Bombay shehar" (Haadsa, 1983)
14. "Deewana dil deewana (Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, with Udit Narayan)
15. "Sacchi Ye Kahani hai.. Kaise Don" (Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa)
16. "Dil dil dil le liya" (Bhagyawan)
17. "Nazrein mili (Afsana Pyaar Ka)
18. "Aashiq deewana" (Afsana Pyaar Ka)
19. "Tip tip tip baarish" (Afsana Pyaar Ka)
20. "Pehla Pehla Pyar Hai" (1988 Film: Woh Phir Aayegi. With Anuradha Paudwal)
21. "Tu rootha toh mein ro doongi sanam" (Jawaani, 1984 film))
22. "Dil mein bajey guitar" (Apna Sapna Money Money with Mika)
23. "Koi nahin aisa" (Dillagi)
24. "Makhna" (Bade Miyan Chote Miyan)
25. "Kehh do ke tum ho meri varna" (Tezaab)
26. "Jaan-e-mann jaan-e-jigar" (Ghazab, 1982)
27. "Laila o Laila" (Qurbani, 1980)
28. "Aati rahengi bahaarein" (Kasme Vaade with Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhonsle)
29. "Gabbar Singh yeh keh gaya" (100 Days, 1991)
30. "Le le dil de de dil" (100 Days, 1991)
31. "Hum Aur Tum Ab Nahin Paraye" (Jamai Raja, 1990, with Alka Yagnik)
32. "Ek do teen" (Tezaab)
33. "Oye oye- Tirchi topi waaley" (Tridev, 1989, with Sapna Mukherjee)
34. "Main hoon hero" (Ram Lakhan)
35. "Jao tum chahe jahan / Yaad karoge vahan" (Narsimha, 1991)
36. "Na jaane kahan se ayeeh" (Chaalbaaz)
37. "Kaisa lagta hai" (Baaghi: A Rebel for Love, with Anuradha Paudwal)
38. "Maang teri saja doon" (Baaghi: A Rebel for Love, with Anuradha Paudwal)
39. "Tap tap tapori" (Baaghi: A Rebel for Love)
40. "Rama o Rama" (Rama O Rama)
41. "Roz roz aankho tale" (Jeeva)
42. "Sanam mere sanam" (Hum)
43. "Suno suno ladkiyon" (Silsila Hai Pyar Ka, 1999)
44. "Uthe sabke kadam" (Baton Baton Mein)
45. "Na bole tum na maine kuch kaha" (Baton Baton Mein)
46. "Salma pe dil aa gaya" (Salma Pe Dil Aa Gaya, Title song)
47. "Le jhing kur kur" (Olot Palot - Bangla Film 2009)
48. "Ms. India marti mujhpe" (Dhamaal with Adnan Sami)
49. "Juhi ne dil maanga main nakkho bola" (Ehsaas: The Feeling, 2001)
50. "Chori ki baatein" (Fight Club – Members Only, 2006, with Shweta Pandit)
51. "Yeh raat yeh tanhaiyaan" (Gunaah—1993 film, with Sadhna Sargam)
52. "Vinashak aatha hai" (Vinashak – Destroyer, (1998))
53. "Aana re aana re dil yeh deewana re" (Gurudev (film), 1993, with Asha Bhonsle and Shailender Singh)
54. "Ek din tera dheere se dharwaja kholunga" (Gurudev, 1993)
55. "Dheere dheere dheere chori chori chori (Imtihaan, 1995, with Alka Yagnik
56. "Chal naujawaan aage chal" (Jaagruti, 1992)
57. "Dil jigar ke jaan" (Jaanam, 1992, with Anuradha Paudwal)
58. "Teri chahat ke siva" (Jaanam, 1992, with Anuradha Paudwal)
59. "Humein tumse pyaar kitna" (Jhankaar Beats, 2002, with K. K.)
60. "Maalum hai kya" (Jhankaar Beats, 2002, with Vishal Dadlani)
61. "Rukh rukh rukhna" (Jhankaar Beats, 2002, with Vishal Dadlani)
62. "Naam hai mera Fonseca" (Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, 1992)
63. "Aaya main aaya" (Maha-Sangram, 1990, with Udit Narayan)
64. "Aa baahon mein aa" (Maha-Sangram, 1990, with Anuradha Paudwal)
65. "Filmy very filmy" (Page 3, 2005, with Blaaze and Tannishtha Chatterjee)
66. "Aadhi raat ko" (Parampara (film), with Lata Mangeshkar)
67. "Dil dil ka yeh kaam hai" (Raju Chacha, 2000)
68. "Kahin se ayi Rani" with (Raju Chacha, 2000, with Kavita Krishnamurthy, Shweta Pandit, Shrradha Pandit and Kajol)
69. "Tu roop ki rani tu choron ka raja" (Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja, 1993, with Kavita Krishnamurthy)
70. "Chai mein chini" (Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja, 1993, with Kavita Krishnamurthy)
71. "Parda utha" (Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja, 1993, with Kavita Krishnamurthy)
72. "Aala re paoos aala" (Safari, 1999, with Alka Yagnik)
73. "Kajal kajal teri aankhon ka yeh kajal" (Sapoot with Asha Bhonsle)
74. "Jaane de jaane de" (Shola Aur Shabnam, 1992, with Kavita Krishnamurthy)
75. "Tere liye saari umar jaagun" (Yaad Rakhegi Duniya, 1992)
76. "Gali gali mein gana" (Yaad Rakhegi Duniya, 1992)
77. "Tooti khidki makdi ka jangla" (Yaad Rakhegi Duniya, 1992, with Kavita Krishnamurthy)
78. "Pyaar bada mushkil hai" (Yodha, 1990)
79. "Do bechare" (Victoria No. 203, 2007, with Udit Narayan)
80. "Dil le gayi teri bindiya" (Vishwatma, 1992, with Sapna Mukherjee)
81. "Bole chudiyan" (Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham..., 2001, with Kavita Krishnamurthy, Alka Yagnik, Sonu Nigam and Udit Narayan)
82. "Salma Pe Dil Aa Gaya" (Title Song, 1997, with Asha Bhosle, Kumar Sanu and Udit Narayan)
83. "Ka janoon main sajaniya, chamkaibe kab chandania, uthaile ghoongta, chand dekh le" (Hum Panch)

External links[link]

1. Amit Kumar's Official website
2. Amit Kumar's Official Fan Club
3. Amit Kumar IMDB profile
4. The Statesman on his 58th Birthday