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{{Short description|Indian singer (born 1952)}}
{{other uses|Amit Kumar (disambiguation)}}
{{Family name hatnote|Ganguly|lang=Bengali}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Amit Kumar
| image = Amit Kumar attending Durga Puja in 2021.jpg
| caption =
| birth_name = Amit Kumar Ganguly
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1952|07|03}}
| birth_place = [[Calcutta]], [[West Bengal]], India
| father = [[Kishore Kumar]]
| children = 2
| mother = [[Ruma Guha Thakurta]]
| spouse = Reema Ganguly
| works = [[List of songs recorded by Amit Kumar|Songs]]
| relatives = [[Madhubala]],[[Yogeeta Bali]], [[Leena Chandavarkar]](stepmothers)
[[Kajol]](niece)
| family = See [[Ganguly family]]
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|actor|music director|record producer|director|writer}}
| years_active = 1973–present
| module = {{Infobox musical artist|embed=yes
| background = solo_singer
| genre = {{flatlist|
* [[Kishore Kumar|Kishore Melody]]<ref name="Amit Kumar's special tribute">{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/music/amit-kumars-special-tribute-to-father-kishore-kumar-on-his-birth-anniversary/articleshow/85071854.cms |title=Amit Kumar's special tribute to father Kishore Kumar on his birth anniversary|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=6 August 2021 }}</ref>
}}
| instrument = [[Human voice|Vocals]]
}}
}}

'''Amit Kumar''' (born 3 July 1952) is an Indian [[playback singer]], [[music composer]] and [[actor]]. Kumar launched his own music production company, named Kumar Brothers Music. He has predominantly worked in [[Bollywood]] and regional film songs since the 1970s, including 150 Hindi and Bengali compositions by [[R. D. Burman]] and [[Bappi Lahiri]]. After Burman's death in 1994, citing a lack of quality music composition, Kumar withdrew from playback singing and concentrated on live orchestra shows. In addition to singing in Hindi, has also performed in [[Bengali language|Bengali]], [[Bhojpuri language|Bhojpuri]], [[Odia language|Odia]], [[Assamese language|Assamese]], [[Marathi language|Marathi]] and [[Konkani language|Konkani]]. He is the eldest son of singer-actor [[Kishore Kumar]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |title=Legendary Kishore Kumar's son Amit Kumar talks about his father |url=https://www.filmfare.com/features/legendary-kishore-kumars-son-amit-kumar-talks-about-his-father-27659.html |access-date=17 December 2020 |website=filmfare.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Amit Kumar's special tribute"/>

==Early life{{anchor|Beginning}}==
Kumar is the son of singer and actor Kishore Kumar<ref name="auto"/> and Bengali singer and actress Ruma Guha Thakurta.<ref>{{cite web |last1=D |first1=Johnny |title=Star couples search for love |date=31 January 2006 |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/star-couples-search-for-love/story-T7ea003jeYw3bXolKDbzlJ.html |publisher=HindustanTimes.com |access-date=25 December 2016}}</ref> Like his father, Amit started singing from an early age and he used to sing at [[Durga Pooja]] festivals in [[Kolkata|Calcutta]]. At one such function arranged by Bengali actor "Mahanayak" [[Uttam Kumar]], the audience continued requesting encores. While his mother complained that he was singing "filmy" songs, his father decided to bring him to Bombay.

Kishore Kumar had cast Amit as his son in two films that he produced. In the first, ''Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein''<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/blast-from-the-past-door-gagan-ki-chhaon-mein-1964/article3476634.ece |title=Blast From The Past: Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein (1964) |author=VIJAY LOKAPALLY |work=The Hindu|date=June 2012 }}</ref> he sang ''Aa Chalke Tujhe, Mein Leke Chaloon'' to his eleven-year-old son. For the second film, ''[[Door Ka Raahi]]'', a teenage Amit Kumar sang "Main Ik Panchi Matwaala Re", but it was removed from the final cut of the film.

==Singing career==
=== 1970s===

Kumar sang professionally for the first time, outside his father's composition, at the age of 21 in 1973. The song was "Hosh Mein Hum Kahan", composed by Sapan Jagmohan for the film ''Darwaza'', which was released in 1978.

His duet with his father "Nazar Lage Na Saathiyo" from ''Des Pardes'' in 1978 became popular.{{according to whom|date=April 2013}} In the 1976 film ''[[Balika Badhu (1976 film)|Balika Badhu]]'', he sang "Bade Achchhe Lagte Hain" by the composer [[R.D. Burman]], by which he attained national fame.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/2013/jan/050113-bollywood-amit-kumar-talks-about-his-association-with-the-late-rd-burman.htm |title=Amit Kumar talks about his association with the late RD Burman}}</ref> This song was named the 26th most-popular film song of 1977 by the radio show ''[[Binaca Geetmala]]''.{{citation needed|date=April 2013}} Kumar recorded 170 Hindi songs under R.D. Burman.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Bollywood/No-Chikni-chameli-for-Amit-Kumar/Article1-1014454.aspx |title=No Chikni chameli for Amit Kumar - Hindustan Times |access-date=20 April 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130226051140/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Bollywood/No-Chikni-chameli-for-Amit-Kumar/Article1-1014454.aspx |archive-date=26 February 2013 }}</ref>

In 1978, he sang "Aati Rahengi Baharein" in ''[[Kasme Vaade]]'', for [[Randhir Kapoor]]'s character. He also did playback singing for Randhir Kapoor in ''Chor Ke Ghar Chor'' (1978) and ''Dhongee''.

He sang in various films, including ''[[Aandhi]]'', ''[[Aap Ke Deewane]]'', ''[[Khatta Meetha (1978 film)|Khatta Meetha]]'', ''[[Gol Maal]]'', ''[[Des Pardes (1978 film)|Des Pardes]]'', ''[[Ganga Ki Saugandh]]'', ''Deewanagi'' (1976), ''[[Duniya Meri Jeb Mein]]'', ''[[Parvarish (1977 film)|Parvarish]]'', ''Humare Tumhare'' (1979) and ''[[Baton Baton Mein]]''. The duets he sang with [[Lata Mangeshkar]] and Asha Bhosle began his public display.{{according to whom|date=November 2018}}

===1980s===
Kumar's duet "Ka Janu Main Sajaniya" with [[Lata Mangeshkar]] and "Ram Kare Allah Kare" and "Humto Aap Ke Deewane Hai" with Mohd Rafi Saab.{{according to whom|date=November 2018}} Then Amit sang all the songs for the 1981 film ''[[Love Story (1981 film)|Love Story]]'' and won a Filmfare Award for the duet "Yaad Aa Rahi Hai" with Mangeshkar. Composer R.D. Burman jokingly told Amit before its release that this song sounds like a ''[[bhajan]]''.{{citation needed|date=November 2018}}

After the success of ''Love Story'', Rajesh Khanna employed Kumar for playback singing in ''Fiffty Fiffty'' (1981) and then later in ''Aakhir Kyon?'' (1985), ''Ghar Ka Chirag'', ''Jai Shiv Shankar'', ''Swarg'' (1990) and ''Sautela Bhai'' (1996).

In 1980, Kumar sang "[[Laila Main Laila|Laila o Laila]]" for ''[[Qurbani (1980 film)|Qurbani]]''. Kumar's singing in "Aao Naye Sapne Bune", composed by Basudev for ''Main Qatil Hun'' (1984). The Asha–Kumar duet "Yun Toh Haseen Hazar" from ''Shradhanjali'' in 1981 became a hit.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-11-08/news-interviews/43777115_1_baba-anil-sharma-singh-saab-the-great/2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111154035/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-11-08/news-interviews/43777115_1_baba-anil-sharma-singh-saab-the-great/2 |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 November 2013 |work=[[The Times of India]] |title=India News, Latest Sports, Bollywood, World, Business & Politics News}}</ref>
He had several "chart-busters" in 1982 and 1983,{{citation needed|date=November 2018}} and "hits" with the duets "Tu Rootha Toh Main Ro Doongi Sanam", "Gali Gali Dhoonda Tujhe" and solo songs "Halla Gulla Maza Hai" and "Mana Abhi Tu Kamsin" from the film ''Jawani'' (1984).{{citation needed|date=November 2018}} In 1985, the duet "Dushman Na Kare" from ''Akhir Kyun'' was popular.{{citation needed|date=November 2018}} In 1986, the song "Mary Tu Hoja Meri" from ''Anokha Rishta'' and the duet "Roz Roz Ankhon" from ''Jeeva'' were popular.<ref>{{cite web |title=The music one misses out |url=http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/2003/jul/59102.htm |work=[[MiD DAY]] |publisher=MiD-Day Infomedia Ltd. |access-date=22 April 2013 |date=21 July 2003}}</ref> He had solo and duet songs in hit films such as ''Hum Paanch'', ''Bulundi'', ''Itni Si Baat'', ''Hamari Bahu Alka'', ''Anokha Bandhan'', ''Ustaadi Ustad Se'', ''Bheegi Palkein'', ''Khatron Ke Khiladi'', ''Maalamaal'', ''Ilzaam'', ''Anokha Rishta'', ''Rama O Rama'', ''Jaaydaad'', ''Tridev'', ''ChaalBaaz'', ''Aag Se Khelenge'', and ''Dost''.

Kumar sang for almost all music directors and actors in the 1980s, and was the second-most preferred male playback singer in Hindi films, after his father Kishore Kumar.{{citation needed|date=January 2021}} Among music directors, Amit Kumar was used more by Pancham from 1975 to 1994 and by [[Bappi Lahiri]] from 1983 to 1995. He became the voice of [[Kumar Gaurav]] in the 1980s and their combination gave many hit songs from films such as ''Romance'' (1983), ''[[Teri Kasam]]'', ''Lovers'' (1983), ''All-rounder'' and ''Telefilm-Janam''. He was also the voice for newcomer Karan Shah in films such as ''Jawani'', ''Anokha Rishta'', ''Apne Apne'' and ''Chor Pe Mor'' and though the songs were popular, only ''Anokha Rishta'' and ''Chor Pe Mor'' were successful films. In the late 1980s, Kumar sang songs for Anil Kapoor in films including ''[[Tezaab]]'', ''[[Yudh (film)|Yudh]]'' and ''Aag Se Khelenge'' and continued to sing for him in the 1990s. The duets with Asha – "Pehle Pehle Pyar Ki" and "Yeh Tujhe Kya Hua" both from ''Ilzaam'' in 1986 and "Tere Naina Mere Naina" from ''Aag Se Khelenge'' and "Chotasa Parivaar Hamara" from ''Dost'' in 1989 became known in their respective years. The Anuradha Pudwal-Amit Kumar duet "Kehdo Ke Tum Meri" and solo song "[[Ek Do Teen (song)|Ek Do Teen]]" from ''Tezaab'' were part of Binaca Geet Mala's annual list in 1988. The song "Oye Oye- Tirchi Topi Waaley" from ''[[Tridev]]'' was a nationwide hit. Kumar did playback for Naseeruddin Shah in the film ''[[Hero Hiralal]]'', which was popular as well.{{according to whom|date=April 2013}} His duet "Yeh Kismat Hai Kya Kisne Dekha Yahan" with Alka Yagnik from ''Ghar Ka Chirag'' became popular in 1989. Soon after his father's death, Kumar and his half-brother Sumit Kumar released the album ''Dui Kishore'' as a tribute to Kishore Kumar.{{Citation needed|date=February 2018}}

===1990s to present===
In 1990, the song "Sanam Mere Sanam" of ''[[Hum (film)|Hum]]'' with Alka Yagnik is popular. ''[[Baaghi: A Rebel for Love]]'' had a smash hit in the song "Kaisa Lagta Hai". From the film ''[[Ghayal (1990 film)|Ghayal]]'', the song "''Pyaar tum mujhase''" was popular. In this decade, Kumar had notable songs in films such as ''Sailaab'', ''Police Public'', ''Aaj Ka Arjun'', ''100 Days'', ''Awwal Number'', ''[[ChaalBaaz]]'', Khel, ''[[Vishwatma]]'', ''Honeymoon'', {{Lang|hi-latn|Aaj Ka Goonda Raaj}}, ''Gurudev'', ''[[Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998 film)|Bade Miyan Chote Miyan]]'' and ''[[Judaai (1997 film)|Judaai]]'' and also had hit songs in the films which flopped at the box office, such as ''Jawani Zindabad'', ''Afsana Pyar Ka'', ''[[Indrajeet]]'', ''Sangdil Sanam'', ''Jaagruti'', ''Deewana Mujhsa Nahin'' and ''Suryavanshi''.

Kumar enjoyed a special work relationship, in addition to R.D. Burman and Bappi Lahiri, with the music duo [[Anand–Milind]], who heavily promoted Kumar in the early 1990s. Their collaborations include ''[[Baaghi: A Rebel for Love]]'', ''Mera Pati Sirf Mera Hain'', ''[[Maha-Sangram]]'', ''[[Swarg]]'', ''Anjaane Rishtey'', ''Talaashi'', ''[[Sangdil Sanam]]'', ''Yaad Rakhegi Duniya'', ''[[Woh Phir Aayegi]]'', ''[[Aaj Ka Goonda Raaj]]'', ''Sanam'', ''[[Adharm (1992 film)|Adharm]]'', and ''[[Rakhwala (1989 film)|Rakhwala]]''. Anand–Milind were one of the few new-age music composers of that period who regularly recorded with Kumar. Kumar's duets "Nazrein Milin" and "Tip Tip Baarish" with Asha Bhosle in ''Afsana Pyar Ka'' were hit songs.{{according to whom|date=April 2013}} His duets such as "Palkon Ke Tale" and "Mujhko Yeh Zindagi Lagti Hai" in ''Sailaab'' were hits too.{{according to whom|date=April 2013}} Kumar gained the reputation of being a singer who belted out hit songs irrespective of the film being a commercial success or critically panned.{{according to whom|date=April 2013}} Kumar also worked with Ram Laxman and songs such as the Lata-Amit Kumar duets "Main Jis Din Bhoola Doon" from ''Police Public'' in 1990 and "Le Le Dil" from ''100 days'' in 1991 became popular. In 1990, Asha-Amit duets such as "Aur Suno Kya Haal" and "Baj Uthe Gunghroo" from ''Chor Pe Mor'' and Asha-Amit duets such as "Main Khule Aam Khedun" and "Main Na Jhoot" from ''Indrajeet'' in 1991 became popular. In 1992, the Lata-Amit Kumar duet "Adhi Raat Ko" from ''Parampara'', composed by [[Shiv-Hari]] and Asha-Amit duets such as "Rimjhim Rimjhim Barse" and "Jo Aap Aye" from ''Jhooti Shaan'' were huge hits. Amit delivered more even in 1993, with ''[[Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa]]''. The songs "Deewana Dil Deewana" and "Sachhi Yeh Kahani Hai" were written.{{according to whom|date=April 2013}}

Kumar also collaborated with another fresh talent from the 1990s, [[Jatin–Lalit]], who had Amit Kumar croon numbers in several films such as ''Paandav'' (1995), ''Silsila Hai Pyar Ka'', ''Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa'' and ''[[Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham]]''. He even worked with Ilaiyaraaja for the song "Yeh Gulabi Shaam Ka Nasha", a duet with Asha from the film Mera Farz (1988). In 1996, his duet with Asha Bhosle in the film ''Sapoot'' – "Kajal Kajal Teri Ankhon Ka", composed by Anu Malik became popular.

Later in the decade, Kumar declined most singing offers citing that the quality of music was deteriorating since the 1990s and after the death of R.D. Burman in 1994, with whom Amit had a special bond, he withdrew himself from the film industry. Kumar started undertaking more live stage performances in various parts of the world since 1996.

During these years, he also composed and released music albums, including:
* ''MAD''
* ''Pyaar Toh Bas Pyaar Hai''
* ''Dam Dama Dam''
* ''Oh sweetheart''
* ''Surer raja''
* ''Sagarika''
* ''Jaanam''
* ''Forever Blue''
* ''Baba Mere''

Kumar sang songs for ''[[Raju Chacha]]'', ''[[Apna Sapna Money Money]]'' (2006), ''[[Kandahar (2010 film)|Kandahar]]'' (2010), ''[[Dulha Mil Gaya]]'', ''[[Himmatwala (2013 film)|Himmatwala]]'' (2013).<ref>{{cite web |title=Himmatwala: Kishore Kumar's son sings Naino Me Sapna |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Bollywood/Himmatwala-Kishore-Kumar-s-son-sings-Naino-Me-Sapna/Article1-1009160.aspx |publisher=[[Hindustan Times]] |access-date=13 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130213060747/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Bollywood/Himmatwala-Kishore-Kumar-s-son-sings-Naino-Me-Sapna/Article1-1009160.aspx |archive-date=13 February 2013 }}</ref>

==Television career==
[[File:Shri Amit Kumar, son of the Legendary film personality late Kishore Kumar and Ms. Anooradha Patel (Grand daughter of Dadasaheb Phalke Awardee late Ashok Kumar) showing a painting by Ashok Kumar.jpg|thumb|Kumar with [[Anuradha Patel|Anooradha Patel]], showing a painting by [[Ashok Kumar]], at the IFFI-2010 in [[Panjim]], [[Goa]], 23 November.]]
In the late 1980s, Kumar performed voice work on [[Doordarshan]] TV serials such as ''Chunauti'' and ''Campus''. He also did songs for the television film ''Janam'', and sang the title tracks for the Hindi-dubbed version of Disney's animated series [[DuckTales (1987 TV series)|''Duck Tales'']] and ''[[Bob the Builder]]''.

Kumar was one of the judges in the singing reality show ''[[K for Kishore]]'', where singers tried to recreate the atmosphere of his father's songs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/apr/11sld1.htm|title=rediff.com: Meet the finalists of K for Kishore!|website=www.rediff.com}}</ref> He was the main judge of the [[Zee Bangla]] singing competition ''Sa Re Ga Ma Pa''. He provided the voice of character ''Guru'' in animated series ''Guru Aur Bhole'' which aired on [[Sony Yay]]. The character was inspired from Kishore Kumar's character from the film [[Padosan]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Amit Kumar about doing voiceover for his father Kishore Kumar's resembling character in a cartoon {{!}} Firstpost |date=28 May 2017 |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/kishore-kumars-son-lends-voice-to-cartoon-character-inspired-by-legendary-singer-3490039.html}}</ref>

==Acting career==
Amit Kumar acted in several films directed by and starring his father, which were ''[[Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein]]'' (1964), ''[[Door Ka Raahi]]'' (1971), ''[[Badhti Ka Naam Dadhi]]'' (1974), ''[[Shabhash Daddy]]'' (1979) and ''[[Chalti Ka Naam Zindagi]]'' (1982). In 1989, he made his last film appearance in his father's incomplete film ''[[Mamta Ki Chhaon Mein]]'', which starred himself, his stepmother [[Leena Chandavarkar]] and [[Rajesh Khanna]]. After his father's death in 1987, he took over as director and completed the film for release in 1989.
In his long career in film he acted in a Bengali film namely "Gayak". In this film the name of his character was Amit and it was of a struggling singer. He sang a number of songs for this film under the direction of Rabin Banerjee. This was the only Bengali film in his career where he acted and sang as a playback singer, for his own reel life for that same film. Besides he had a great role of playback singer in Bengali film industry and in this field he is really successful for over a few decades.

==Filmography==
{{main|Amit Kumar filmography}}
{{See|List of songs recorded by Amit Kumar}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Film
! Role(s)
! Notes
|-
| 1964
| ''[[Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein]]''
|
| As child artist
|-
| 1971
| ''[[Door Ka Raahi]]''
|
|
|-
| 1974
| ''[[Badhti Ka Naam Dadhi]]''
| Fakkad 'Jhango'
|
|-
| 1979
| ''[[Shabhash Daddy]]''
|
|
|-
| 1982
| ''[[Chalti Ka Naam Zindagi]]''
| Amit/Johnny
|
|-
| 1989
| ''[[Mamta Ki Chaon Mein]]''
|
| As Director
|}

== Awards and nominations ==
===[[Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer]]===

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" width="100%" "textcolor:#000;"
! scope="col" width=5%|Year
! scope="col" width=39%|Song
! scope="col" width=45%|Film
! scope="col" width=2%|Music Director
! scope="col" width=39%|Lyricist
! scope="col" width=15%|Result
|-
| 1981
| "Yaad Aa Rahi Hai"
| ''[[Love Story (1981 film)|Love Story]]''
| rowspan="2"|[[Rahul Dev Burman|R.D. Burman]]
| rowspan="2"|[[Anand Bakshi]]
| {{won}}
|-
| 1982
| "Yeh Zameen Gaa Rahi Hai"
| ''[[Teri Kasam]]''
| {{nom}}
|-
| 1988
| "[[Ek Do Teen (song)|Ek Do Teen]]"
| ''[[Tezaab]]''
| [[Laxmikant–Pyarelal]]
|[[Javed Akhtar]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| 1989
| "Tirchhi Topiwale"
| ''[[Tridev]]''
|[[Viju Shah]]
|[[Anand Bakshi]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| 1990
| "Kaisa Lagta Hai"
| ''[[Baaghi: A Rebel for Love|Baaghi]]''
| [[Anand–Milind]]
| [[Sameer (lyricist)|Sameer]]
| {{nom}}
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{Subject bar
|commons = yes
|commons-search =
|d = yes
|d-search =
|portal1 = Biography
|portal2 = Films
|portal3 = India
}}
* {{IMDb name|0474776}}

{{FilmfareAwardBestMaleSinger}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kumar, Amit}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Hindi-language playback singers]]
[[Category:Filmfare Awards winners]]
[[Category:Indian male playback singers]]
[[Category:1952 births]]
[[Category:Singers from Kolkata]]
[[Category:Kishore Kumar]]

[[kn:ಅಮಿತ್ ಕುಮಾರ್]]
[[pa:ਅਮਿਤ ਕੁਮਾਰ]]

Amit Kumar - Revision history

Stormy43P6 at 17:45, 1 March 2026