Kumar Sanu


Kedarnath Bhattacharaya, better known as Kumar Sanu, is a leading Bollywood Indian playback singer. He is famous for singing thousands of Bollywood songs.

Early life and career

Early life
Sanu's father, Pashupati Bhattacharya, was a vocalist and composer. The two and Sanu's elder sister lived in the Sinthee area of Calcutta near Biswanath Park.
Career
Kumar Sanu started his playback career, as Sanu Bhattacharya. In 1986, he got Bangladeshi film Tin Kanya, directed by Shibli Sadiq. Sanu had his first major Bollywood song in Hero Hiralal.
In 1989, Jagjit Singh introduced Kumar Sanu to Kalyanji-Anandji in 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, Deewana, Baazigar and . He won 5 back to back Filmfare awards for singing, between 1990 and 1994.

Significant collaborations

[Nadeem Shravan]

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, 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
, Saajan, Phool Aur Kaante, Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin, Sadak, Pyaar Ka Saaya, Saathi,Jaan Ki Kasam, Deewana, Dil Ka Kya Kasoor, Jaan Tere Naam, Sapne Sajan Ke,Anaam, Paayal, Panaah, Bekhudi, Kal Ki Awaaz, Dilwale Kabhi Na Hare , Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke, Sainik, Junoon, Balmaa,Waqt Hamara Hai, Rang, Dil Tera Aashiq,Tadipaar,Sangraam, Shreeman Aashiq, Dhartiputra, Kaise Kaise Rishte,Aadmi Khilona Hai,Divya Shakti, Damini,Dilwale, Stunttman,', Salaami,Chhoti Bahu Ekka Raja Rani, Saajan Ka Ghar, Kranti Kshetra, Andolan, Gaddar,Barsaat, Anokha Andaaz, Saajan Ki Baahon Mein, Zamaana Deewana, Raja Hindustani, Agnisakshi, Majhdhaar,Himmatvar, Jeet ,Saajan Chale Sasural, Pardes, Naseeb, Aa Ab Laut Chalen, Sirf Tum, Dhadkan, Kasoor, Hum Ho Gaye Aapke, ', Yeh Dil Aashiqanaa, Ansh, Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya, Dil Hai Tumhaara, Tum Se Achcha Kaun Hai, Dil Ka Rishta, Qayamat Footpath, Andaaz, Indian Babu,Hungama,Sheen,Hatya,Gumnaam,Barsaat, And Mere Jeevan Saathi,Sanam Teri Kasam . He has sung his most songs for them.

[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. Some other achievements of the combo are Chamatkar, Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayee, Sir, Imtihaan, Vijaypath, Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Naaraaz, Yaar Gaddar, Hum Hain Bemisaal, Aa Gale Lag Jaa, Naajayaz, Gundaraj, Hulchul, Akele Hum Akele Tum, Diljale, Sapoot, Daraar, Chaahat, Virasat, Hamesha, Dil Kitna Nadaan Hai, Judwaa, Tamanna, Duplicate, Kareeb, Soldier, Iski Topi Uske Sarr, Hum To Mohabbat Karega, Ajnabee , , Ishq Vishq, Fida and No Entry. 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, Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, Boy Friend , Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, , Yes Boss, Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha, Ghulam, Dil Kya Kare, Khubsoorat, Sangharsh, Yeh Hai Mumbai Meri Jaan, Vaastav, Sarfarosh and FLAMES- Term 2. 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 .

[Rajesh Roshan]

Beginning with "Jab Koi Baat Bigad Jaye" in the movie Jurm, Sanu's collaboration with Rajesh Roshan produced one hit after another. Significant movies include Karan Arjun, Sabse Bada Khiladi, Papa Kehte Hai, Dastak, Koyla, Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai, Kya Kehna, and Aetbaar.

[Viju Shah]

Sanu has rendered his voice for some of Viju Shah's greatest compositions. Vishwatma, Mohra, Tere Mere Sapne, , Aar Ya Paar, Beti No. 1, Bulandi, Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat and Kasam 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,Bol Radha Bol,Insaniyat Ke Devta,Ek Ladka Ek Ladki, Suryavanshi,Hasti,Giraft, Platform,Raja Babu, Suhaag, Jai Kishan, Coolie No 1, Hero No. 1, Gair, Chal Mere Bhai, Army, Trinetra, Lootere, Gopi Kishan and Rakshak.

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" and "Jisne Sapna Dekha" 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 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 and Dum Laga Ke Haisha.
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:
SongFilmOther version sung by singer
"O Priya Suno Priya"Arjun Pandit Hariharan
"Dil Ka Aalam"Aashiqui Nitin Mukesh
"Dil Ka Rishta"Dil Ka Rishta Udit Narayan and Babul Supriyo
"Kajal Kajal"Sapoot Amit Kumar
"Raja Ko Rani Se"Akele Hum Akele Tum Udit Narayan
"Pardesi Pardesi"Raja Hindustani Udit Narayan and Suresh Wadkar
"Aakhon Main Base ho Tum"Takkar Abhijeet Bhattacharya
"Tum Dil Ki"Dhadkan Abhijeet Bhattacharya
"Dil Ne Yeh Kaha Hai Dilse"Dhadkan Sonu Nigam, Udit Narayan
"Woh Aankh Hi Kya"Khuddar Sonu Nigam
"Jeeye Toh Jeeya Kyse"Saajan Pankaj Udhas and S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
"Dil kya kare"Dil Kya Kare Udit Narayan
"Janam meri janam"Mr. Bechara Udit Narayan
"O Dil Tod Ke Hasti Ho Mera"Bewafa Sanam Udit Narayan
"Is Tarah aashiqui ka"Imtihaan Amit Kumar
"Dil Mera Churaya Kyu"Akele Hum Akele Tum Udit Narayan
"Cahaton Ka Silsila"Shabd Udit Narayan
"Jis Ghadi Tujhko"Prithvi Udit Narayan
"Salma Pe Dil Aa Gaya"Salma Pe Dil Aa Gaya Udit Narayan, Asha Bhosle and Amit Kumar

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 composer 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

;Won
YearSongFilmMusic directorLyricist
1990"Ab Tere Bin"AashiquiNadeem-ShravanSameer
1991"Mera Dil Bhi Kitna Pagal Hai"SaajanNadeem-ShravanSameer
1992"Sochenge Tumhe Pyaar"DeewanaNadeem-ShravanSameer
1993"Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhen"BaazigarAnu MalikDev Kohli
1994"Ek Ladki Ko Dekha"'R.D. BurmanJaved Akhtar

;Nominated
YearSongFilm
1993"Baazigar O Baazigar"Baazigar
1994"Kuch Na Kaho"'
1995"Tujhe Dekha To"Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
1995"Tu Mile Dil Khile"Criminal #Hindi Version
1997"Do Dil Mil Rahe Hain"Pardes
1998"Ladki Badi Anjaani Hai"Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
1999"Aankhon Ki Gusthakiyaan"Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
2003"Sanam Mere Humraaz"Humraaz
2003"Kisise Tum Pyar Karo"Andaaz

Other awards