Kumar Sanu

**Kedarnath Bhattacharaya** (born 20 October 1957), better known as **Kumar Sanu**, is an Indian playback singer. Apart from Hindi, he has also sang in other languages including Marathi, Nepali, Assamese, Bhojpuri, Gujarati, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil, Punjabi, Oriya, Chhattisgarhi, Urdu, Pali, English and his native language Bengali, both in West Bengal and Bangladesh. He holds the record for winning five consecutive Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer (1990-1994) along with Arijit Singh. For his contribution to Indian cinema and music, he was awarded the Padma Shri in 2009 by the Government of India. His tracks feature in BBC's "Top 40 Bollywood Soundtracks of all time".

## Early life and career

### Early life

Kumar Sanu's father, Pashupati Bhattacharya, was a vocalist and composer. His father's village was in Bikrampur (Now Munshiganj district), East Pakistan (Now Bangladesh). The two and Sanu's elder sister lived in the Sinthee area of Calcutta (now Kolkata) near Biswanath Park.

### Career

Kumar Sanu started his playback career, as Sanu Bhattacharya. Yeh Desh (1984) film soundtrack was marked his debuted of singer. In 1986, he got Bangladeshi film *Tin Kanya*, directed by Shibli Sadiq.[*citation needed*] Sanu had his first major Bollywood song in *Hero Hiralal* (1989).

In 1989 September 23, Jagjit Singh introduced Kumar Sanu to Kalyanji in Vimal Bunglow, Mumbai On their suggestion, he changed his name from "Kedarnath Bhattacharya" to "Kumar Sanu" because his voice and singing style were much influenced by Kishore Kumar. Sanu then relocated to Mumbai, where Kalyanji-Anandji gave him a chance to sing in the film *Jaadugar*.

For the 1990 film *Aashiqui*, music directors Nadeem-Shravan got Sanu to sing all but one of the songs. He won the first of his record five consecutive Filmfare Awards as Best Male Playback Singer. His next Filmfare Awards came for songs in the movies *Saajan* (1991), *Deewana* (1992), *Baazigar* (1993) and *1942: A Love Story* (1994). He won 5 back to back Filmfare awards for singing, between 1990 and 1994.

## Significant collaborations

### Nadeem Shravan

Sanu with Shravan and Thakur Doultani
Kumar Sanu got his major break when Gulshan Kumar with music directors Nadeem and Shravan gave him chance to sing most of the songs of movie *Aashiqui* (1990), songs were recorded earlier for an album and later movie was made around the songs. The movie as well as the songs were a grand success. Thereafter, they worked together in many films, including *Apmaan Ki Aag* (1990), *Saajan* (1991), *Phool Aur Kaante* (1991), *Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin* (1991), *Sadak* (1991), *Pyaar Ka Saaya* (1991), *Saathi* (1991), *Jaan Ki Kasam* (1991), *Deewana* (1992), *Dil Ka Kya Kasoor* (1992), *Jaan Tere Naam* (1992), *Sapne Sajan Ke* (1992), *Anaam* (1992), *Paayal* (1992), *Panaah* (1992), *Bekhudi* (1992), *Kal Ki Awaaz* (1992), Dilwale Kabhi Na Hare (1992), *Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke* (1993), *Sainik* (1993), *Junoon* (1992), *Balmaa* (1993),*Waqt Hamara Hai* (1993), *Rang* (1993), *Dil Tera Aashiq* (1993), *Tadipaar* (1993),*Sangraam* (1993), *Shreeman Aashiq* (1993), *Dhartiputra* (1993), *Kaise Kaise Rishte* (1993), *Aadmi Khilona Hai* (1993), *Divya Shakti* (1993), *Damini* (1993),*Dilwale* (1994), *Stuntman* (1994),*Aatish* (1994), *Salaami* (1994), *Chhoti Bahu* (1994)*Ekka Raja Rani* (1994), *Saajan Ka Ghar* (1994), *Kranti Kshetra* (1994), *Andolan* (1995), *Gaddar* (1995),*Barsaat* (1995), *Anokha Andaaz* (1995), *Saajan Ki Baahon Mein* (1995), *Zamaana Deewana* (1995), *Raja Hindustani* (1996), *Agnisakshi* (1996), Majhdhaar (1996),Himmatvar (1996), Jeet (1996),*Saajan Chale Sasural* (1996), *Pardes* (1997), *Naseeb* (1997), *Aa Ab Laut Chalen* (1999), *Sirf Tum* (1999), *Dhadkan* (2000), *Kasoor* (2001), *Hum Ho Gaye Aapke* (2001), *Ek Rishtaa: The Bond of Love* (2001), *Yeh Dil Aashiqanaa* (2002), *Ansh* (2002), *Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya* (2002), *Dil Hai Tumhaara* (2002), *Tum Se Achcha Kaun Hai* (2002), *Dil Ka Rishta* (2003), *Qayamat* (2003), *Footpath* (2003), *Andaaz* (2003), *Indian Babu* (2003), *Hungama* (2003), *Sheen* (2004), *Hatya* (2004), *Gumnaam* (2004),*Barsaat* (2005), *Mere Jeevan Saathi* (2006), and *Sanam Teri Kasam* (2009) . He has sung his most songs for them (293 songs).

### Anu Malik

Sanu has sung songs of various genres with Anu Malik. It was Malik who made Sanu sing his first western-style song "Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhe", from the film *Baazigar* (1993). Some other achievements of the combo are *Chamatkar* (1992), *Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayee* (1993), *Sir* (1993), *Imtihaan* (1994), *Vijaypath* (1994), *Main Khiladi Tu Anari* (1994), *Naaraaz* (1994), *Yaar Gaddar* (1994), *Hum Hain Bemisaal* (1994), *Aa Gale Lag Jaa* (1994), *Naajayaz* (1995), *Gundaraj* (1995), *Hulchul* (1995), *Akele Hum Akele Tum* (1995), *Diljale* (1996), *Sapoot* (1996), *Daraar* (1996), *Chaahat* (1996), *Virasat* (1997), *Hamesha* (1997), *Dil Kitna Nadaan Hai* (1997), *Judwaa* (1997), *Tamanna* (1997), *Duplicate* (1998), *Kareeb* (1998), *Soldier* (1998), *Iski Topi Uske Sarr* (1998), *Hum To Mohabbat Karega* (2000), *Ajnabee* (2001), *Aan: Men at Work* (2003), *Ishq Vishq* (2003), *Fida* (2004) and *No Entry* (2005). In 2015, they were again back with songs in *Dum Laga Ke Haisha*

### Jatin Lalit

Sanu started his work with Jatin Lalit on the 1992 film *Khiladi*. From then on he provided his voice for hit movies including *Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman* (1992), *Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa* (1993), Boy Friend (1993), *Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge* (1995), *Khamoshi* (1996), *Yes Boss* (1997), *Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai* (1998), *Kuch Kuch Hota Hai* (1998), *Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha* (1998), *Ghulam* (1998), *Dil Kya Kare* (1999), *Khubsoorat* (1999), *Sangharsh* (1999), *Yeh Hai Mumbai Meri Jaan* (1999), *Vaastav* (1999), *Sarfarosh* (1999) and *Flames- Term 2 (The Timeliners Originals)* (2019). He has sung a total of 137 songs for them.

### Himesh Reshammiya

Sanu worked for Himesh Reshammiya, for all title tracks of TV serials which Reshammiya produced. All the title tracks were sung by Sanu, and then in his debut film as a music director, *Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya* and further for many other films such as *Kurukshetra*, *Yeh Hai Jalwa*, *Humraaz*, *Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye*, *Hello Brother*, *Bandhan*, *Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge*, *Jodi No.1*, *Uljhan*, *Footpath* and *Taarzan: The Wonder Car*.

### Rajesh Roshan

Beginning with "Jab Koi Baat Bigad Jaye" in the movie *Jurm* (1990), Sanu's collaboration with Rajesh Roshan produced one hit after another. Significant movies include *Karan Arjun* (1995), *Sabse Bada Khiladi* (1995), *Papa Kehte Hai* (1996), *Dastak* (1996), *Koyla* (1997), *Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai* (2000), *Kya Kehna* (2000), *Karobaar: The Business of Love* (2000) and *Aetbaar* (2004).

### Viju Shah

Sanu has rendered his voice for some of Viju Shah's greatest compositions. *Vishwatma* (1992), *Mohra* (1994), *Tere Mere Sapne* (1996), *Gupt* (1997), *Aar Ya Paar* (1997), *Beti No. 1* (1999), *Bulandi* (2000), *Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat* (2001) and *Kasam* (2001) are some of their notable albums.

### Anand-Milind

Sanu has recorded over 150 songs with Anand-Milind. Breaking away from his romantic image, he has sung peppy numbers for the duo, his most famous ones being for actor Govinda. He worked with the duo and successfully delivered hits such as *Jigar* (1992),Bol Radha Bol (1992),Insaniyat Ke Devta (1992),Ek Ladka Ek Ladki (1992), Suryavanshi (1992),Hasti (1992),Giraft (1992), Platform (1992),*Raja Babu* (1994), *Suhaag* (1994), *Jai Kishan* (1994), *Coolie No 1* (1995), *Hero No. 1* (1997), *Gair* (1998), *Chal Mere Bhai* (2000), *Army* (1996), *Trinetra*, *Lootere* (1993), *Gopi Kishan* (1994) and *Rakshak* (1996).

## Other work

Sanu has composed music for various Indian films. *Utthaan* and *Yeh Sunday Kyun Aata Hai* are most remarkable among them. Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Anuradha Paudwal, Sapna Mukherjee, Alka Yagnik, Sonu Nigam, Sadhana Sargam, Sudesh Bhonsle, Shaan, Shreya Ghosal, Hema Sardesai, Sunidhi Chauhan and many more lent their voices for his music. "Yeh Kaisa Utthhan Hai" (sung by Asha Bhosle and Sonu Nigam in two different versions) and "Jisne Sapna Dekha" (sung by Sanu himself) are critically acclaimed. He sang the title song for the TV show *Yeh Duniyan Gazab Ki*, with singer Udit Narayan.

In 2017, Sanu along with Sadhna Sargam sung for the title track of 19s Story based TV Series "Yeh Un Dinon Ki Baat Hain" and also appeared as a part for cameo in it. In 2019, he made a little singing for the Star Plus's "Kulfi Kumarr Bajewala".

Other than singing and composing music for films, he has also shown interest in producing films. In 2006, he produced his first Hindi film *Utthaan*. Currently, he is working with a fellow producer, Rakesh Bhhatia on a new project named *Yeh Sunday Kyun Aata Hai*. The film is based on the lives of four children who live in the streets of Mumbai and polish shoes at a train station in order to earn their livelihoods. The film will feature Mithun Chakraborty in a leading role. Recently, Sanu sang for a Bangladeshi Bengali film *Hason Raja*, which was directed by a UK-based filmmaker Ruhul Amin. This movie was never released. He also has composed for some Bengali movies; *Amrita* and *Tobu Aporichito*.

Sanu was on the panel of judges on Sony TV for *Waar Parriwar*, a reality show based on the bringing together of a singing gharana (family of singers) and on Zee Bangla TV in a music reality show called *Sa Re Ga Ma Pa* - Vishwa Sera. In 2012, he judged the Zee Bangla musical reality show *Sa Re Ga Ma Pa – Gane Gane Tomar Mone*. At present, he is one of the judges on the Bengali version of the popular musical reality show *Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L'il Champs*.

Recently he recorded an album named *Hum aur Tum*. He also recorded a Spanish song for an album. He has also the record for the most recordings of songs in a single day, 28 songs. popularly he is known for melody king. He also made special appearances as an actor in the movies *Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain* (1999) and *Dum Laga Ke Haisha* (2015).

Sanu is a trustee and Brand Ambassador of Bishwa Bandhan, a foundation for cerebral palsy.

Sanu opened a primary school, Kumar Sanu Vidya Niketan, for underprivileged children in Karol Bagh, Delhi. The students are given uniforms and books free of cost.

## Work with other singers

Sanu had multiple hit duet numbers with singers Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Anuradha Paudwal, Alka Yagnik, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Sadhana Sargam, Alisha Chinai, Sunidhi Chauhan, Sapna Mukherjee, Poornima, Sapna Awasthi, Shreya Ghoshal, Akriti Kakkar, Monali Thakur, Neha Kakkar, and others. Sanu also multiple duets with his daughter Shannon K, pop singer and songwriter, who has launched her career in the United States in 2017.

Sanu is also credited with the highest number of version songs and male duet hits with the finest singers of 1980s and 1990s. Some of the notable songs are as follows:

## Politics

He joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2004 in a ceremony headed by then Party President Venkaiah Naidu, but he later resigned to concentrate on singing. He rejoined BJP on 2 December 2014, inducted by Amit Shah.

## Comeback

Kumar Sanu returned to playback singing in 2012. He made a comeback at the urge of composers Sajid-Wajid. Sajid-Wajid gave him "Chammak Challo Chhail Chhabili" - *Rowdy Rathore*, a wedding song with Shreya Ghoshal. In 2015, Kumar Sanu replaced Lata Mangeshkar as the background voice of Yash Raj Films logo for the film *Dum Laga Ke Haisha*. This was the first time in YRF's 60-year history that Lata Mangeshkar's voice was replaced.

## Awards

* Filmfare awards — 1991-1995
* Padma Shri (2009)
* Screen award for Best Male Playback

### Filmfare Awards

Won

Nominated

### Other awards

* 2016: 8th position on "Google most searched Indian singers in last 10 years"
* 2003: Bollywood Music Award For "Best Artist of the Decade"
* 2001: Channel V Award For Best Male Playback for "Chand Sitare" - *Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai*
* 2000: Hero Honda Award For Best Playback Singer (Male) for "Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyan" - *Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam*
* 2000: Kalashree Award For Best Male Playback for "Chaand Sitare" - *Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai*
* 2000: Nomination: IIFA Award for Best Male Playback for "Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyaan" - *Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam*
* 2000: Nomination: MTV Award for "Dil ne yeh" with Udit Narayan and Alka Yagnik
* 1999: Mohammed Rafi Memorial Award for Best Playback Singer For "Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyaan" - *Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam*
* 1999: Nomination: MTV Award for "Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyaan" With Kavita Krishnamurthy - *Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam*
* 1999: Zee Gold Awards for "Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyaan" - *Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam*
* 1999: Kalakar Awards for "Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyaan" - *Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam*
* 1999: Stardust Award for Best Playback Singer For "Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyaan" - *Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam*
* 1999: Anandalok Awards for Best Playback Singer (Male) Kumar Sanu for *Ami Sei Meye*
* 1998: Lions' Club Gold Award For Best Playback Singer "Ladki Badi Anjani Hai" - *Kuch Kuch Hota Hai*
* 1998: Anandalok Awards For Best Playback Singer (Male) Kumar Sanu for *Gane Bhuban Bhoriye Debo*
* 1997: BFJA Award for film *Lathi*
* 1996: BFJA Award for film *Kencho Khurte Keote*
* 1995: Channel V Award For Best Male Playback "Tujhe Dekha To Yeh Jaana Sanam" - *Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge*
* 1995: Ashirwad Award For Best Male Playback "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha" - *1942: A Love Story*
* 1995: Screen Award for Best Male Playback for "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha" - *1942: A Love Story*