Kishore Kumar Biography: Wife, Age, Children, Net Worth, Height, Parents, Movies & Songs, Career

Kishore Kumar was a legendary Indian playback singer, actor, composer, lyricist, director, producer, and screenwriter, widely regarded as one of the most versatile and influential figures in Indian cinema.

His soulful voice and dynamic performances in Bollywood and regional films made him an icon, with timeless hits across genres.

Profile

• Full Name: Abhas Kumar Ganguly
• Stage Name: Kishore Kumar
• Born: August 4, 1929
• Died: October 13, 1987 (Age: 58 years old)
• Birthplace: Khandwa, Central Provinces, India
• Nationality: Indian
• Occupation: Playback Singer, Actor, Music Director, Lyricist, Film Producer, Director, Screenwriter
• Height: 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m)
• Parents: Kunjlal Ganguly, Gouri Devi
• Siblings: Ashok Kumar, Sati Devi, Anoop Kumar
• Spouse: Ruma Guha Thakurta (m. 1950–div. 1958), Madhubala (m. 1960–her death 1969), Yogeeta Bali (m. 1976–div. 1978), Leena Chandavarkar
• Children: Amit Kumar, Sumit Kumar
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $1 million to $20 million

Early Life and Education

Kishore Kumar, born Abhas Kumar Ganguly on August 4, 1929, in Khandwa, Central Provinces (now Madhya Pradesh), India, grew up in a Bengali family. His father, Kunjlal Ganguly, was a lawyer, and his mother, Gouri Devi, was a homemaker. The youngest of four siblings, he was influenced by his elder brother Ashok Kumar, a Bollywood star.

Kishore showed an early talent for singing, mimicking K.L. Saigal, his idol, during his childhood. He attended Christian Missionary School in Khandwa but did not pursue higher education, dropping out to focus on his career in music and cinema. His family’s move to Bombay (now Mumbai) in the 1940s exposed him to the film industry, where Ashok Kumar’s success paved the way for his entry.

Career

Kishore Kumar began his career as a chorus singer at Bombay Talkies, where his brother Ashok Kumar was a prominent actor. His acting debut came with Shikari (1946), but he gained recognition as a lead in Ziddi (1948), where he also sang “Marne Ki Duayen Kyon Mangu” under Khemchand Prakash.

Initially aspiring to be a singer, he reluctantly acted in films like Andolan (1951), Naukri (1954), and Musafir (1957). His breakthrough as a playback singer came with “Mere Sapnon Ki Rani” for Dev Anand in Aradhana (1969), under S.D. Burman’s music direction, earning him his first Filmfare Award.

He became the voice for stars like Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan, and Dharmendra, with iconic songs like “Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas” (Blackmail, 1973), “Yeh Dosti” (Sholay, 1975), and “Zindagi Ek Safar” (Andaz, 1971). Kishore sang over 2,905 songs in 20 Indian languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, and Gujarati, collaborating with composers like R.D. Burman, Laxmikant-Pyarelal, and Kalyanji-Anandji.

As an actor, he starred in comedic hits like Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958), Jhumroo (1961), Half Ticket (1962), and Padosan (1968). He produced and directed films like Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein (1964), Jhumroo (1961), and Door Ka Raahi (1971) under his banner, Kishore Kumar Films. He also composed music for films like Aake Seedhi Lage Dil Pe and Zameen Aasman. His versatility extended to writing lyrics and screenplays, making him a multifaceted talent.

Awards and Nominations

• 1969: Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer for “Mere Sapnon Ki Rani” (Aradhana) – Winner
• 1975: Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer for “Dil Aisa Kisi Ne Mera” (Amanush) – Winner
• 1978: Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer for “Khaike Paan Banaraswala” (Don) – Winner
• 1980: Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer for “Hazaar Raahen Mudke Dekhin” (Thodisi Bewafaii) – Winner
• 1982: Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer for “Pag Ghungroo Bandh” (Namak Halaal) – Winner
• 1983: Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer for “Agar Tum Na Hote” (Agar Tum Na Hote) – Winner
• 1984: Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer for “Manzilein Apni Jagah Hain” (Sharaabi) – Winner
• 1985: Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer for “Saagar Kinaare” (Saagar) – Winner
• 1983: Bengal Film Journalists’ Association (BFJA) Award for Best Male Playback Singer for Shakti – Winner
• 1971–1986: Nominated for 19 additional Filmfare Awards for Best Male Playback Singer

Social Media

Kishore Kumar does not have social media account.

Personal Life

Kishore Kumar, who passed away on October 13, 1987, had a colorful personal life marked by four marriages. He married singer-actress Ruma Guha Thakurta (1950–1958), with whom he had a son, Amit Kumar, a playback singer. His second marriage to actress Madhubala (1960–1969) ended with her death from a heart condition.

He then married actress Yogeeta Bali (1976–1978), a brief union, followed by his final marriage to actress Leena Chandavarkar (1980–1987), with whom he had a son, Sumit Kumar. Known for his eccentric personality, Kishore was a private individual who avoided media attention. He was a vegetarian, loved watching Hollywood films (admiring James Cagney and Gary Cooper), and enjoyed gardening and Western music, particularly yodeling, which influenced his singing style.

Discography (Selected Songs):

• “Marne Ki Duayen Kyon Mangu” (Ziddi, 1948)
• “Main Hoon Jhum Jhum Jhumroo” (Jhumroo, 1961)
• “Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhaagi Si” (Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi, 1958)
• “Mere Mehboob Qayamat Hogi” (Mr. X in Bombay, 1964)
• “Mere Samne Wali Khidki Mein” (Padosan, 1968)
• “Mere Sapnon Ki Rani” (Aradhana, 1969)
• “Zindagi Ek Safar” (Andaz, 1971)
• “Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas” (Blackmail, 1973)
• “Yeh Dosti” (Sholay, 1975)
• “Khaike Paan Banaraswala” (Don, 1978)
• “Hazaar Raahen Mudke Dekhin” (Thodisi Bewafaii, 1980)
• “Pag Ghungroo Bandh” (Namak Halaal, 1982)
• “Agar Tum Na Hote” (Agar Tum Na Hote, 1983)
• “Saagar Kinaare” (Saagar, 1985)

Filmography (Selected):

• Shikari (1946) – Supporting Role (Actor)
• Ziddi (1948) – Lead Role (Actor, Playback Singer)
• Muqaddar (1950) – Lead Role (Actor)
• Andolan (1951) – Lead Role (Actor)
• Naukri (1954) – Lead Role (Actor)
• Musafir (1957) – Lead Role (Actor)
• Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958) – Manmohan (Actor, Playback Singer)
• Jhumroo (1961) – Lead Role (Actor, Music Director, Producer)
• Half Ticket (1962) – Vijay/Munna (Actor, Playback Singer)
• Mr. X in Bombay (1964) – Lead Role (Actor, Playback Singer)
• Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein (1964) – Lead Role (Actor, Director, Producer)
• Padosan (1968) – Vidyapati (Actor, Playback Singer)
• Door Ka Raahi (1971) – Lead Role (Actor, Director, Producer)

Net Worth

Kishore Kumar’s estimated net worth at the time of his death in 1987 was $1 million to $20 million USD. His wealth was amassed through his prolific career as a playback singer for over 2,905 songs, acting in over 80 films, and producing and directing films under Kishore Kumar Films.

Additional income came from music composition, live performances, and royalties from evergreen hits. His ownership of properties in Mumbai and Khandwa further contributed.