Amit Kumar, a renowned Indian singer, actor, producer, and director, carries a legacy as the son of the legendary Kishore Kumar. His contributions to the music industry are extensive and continue to resonate with audiences.

Wiki/Biography

Amit Kumar was born on July 3, 1952 (age 71 as of 2023) in Mumbai, Maharashtra. His zodiac sign is Cancer, and his full name is Amit Kumar Ganguly. His education spanned various prestigious schools including Besant Montessori School in Mumbai, St. Xavier’s School in Jharkhand, South Point School in Kolkata, and Patha Bhavan in Kolkata. His acting debut occurred at the young age of 11. His passion for singing, often showcased in Durga Puja pandals, caught his father’s attention after his mother voiced concern about his focus on film songs. This led to Amit accompanying Kishore Kumar to recording studios, a pivotal step in his career.

Physical Appearance

Here’s a summary of Amit Kumar’s physical attributes:

• Height: Approximately 5’8″
• Weight: Approximately 80 kg
• Eye Color: Black
• Hair Color: Black

Family, Wife & Caste

Amit Kumar hails from a Bengali Brahmin background. His father, the iconic Kishore Kumar, was a celebrated singer and actor. His mother, Ruma Guha Thakurta, was a talented Bengali actress and singer. Amit was their only child. He also has step-siblings: Shramana Guha Thakurta (stepsister), Sumit Kumar (stepbrother), and Ayan Guha Thakurta (stepbrother). He is married to Reema Ganguly and has two daughters, Vrienda Kumar and Muktika Kumar.

Singing Career

Amit’s professional singing journey began with “Hosh Mein Hum Kahan” for the 1978 film Darwaza, recorded in 1973. He shared numerous duets with his father, including popular songs like “Haseeno Ke Chakkar Mein,” “Sun Chache Bol,” and “Nazar Lage Na Saathiyo.” His breakthrough came in 1976 with “Bade Achchhe Lagte Hain,” composed by R.D. Burman, which achieved widespread popularity, even ranking among the top songs of 1977. He recorded an impressive 170 songs composed by R.D. Burman throughout his career.

His collaboration extended to other notable figures. His close friendship with Randhir Kapoor led to significant playback singing opportunities. The 1980 song “Laila O Laila,” featuring Lata Mangeshkar, became a massive hit. He won the Filmfare Award for Best Playback Singer in 1981 for “Yaad Aa Rahi Hai” from Love Story. His versatility saw him working with various composers and directors, consistently delivering hit songs. His preference for R.D. Burman led to extensive collaborations between 1975 and 1994, and with Bappi Lahiri from 1983 to 1995. After his father’s passing in 1987, he and his stepbrother Sumit Kumar released the tribute album Dui Kishore.

By the late 1990s, Amit Kumar reduced his film work, focusing on live performances and orchestra shows in various Indian languages including Bengali, Odia, Marathi, Konkani, and Assamese. He made a comeback in 2000, producing songs for films such as Raju Chacha, Apna Sapna Money Money, and Himmatvala.

Acting Career

Amit’s acting career commenced at age 11 with Kishore Kumar’s film Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein (1964). He appeared in several films including Door Ka Raahi (1971), Badhti Ka Naam Dadhi (1974), Shabhash Daddy (1979), and Chalti Ka Naam Zindagi (1982). His last film, Mamta Ki Chhaon Mein, involved his stepmother Leena Chandavarkar and Rajesh Khanna. Following his father’s death, Amit took over as director, completing and releasing the film in 1989.

Controversy

Amit Kumar’s appearance on Indian Idol 12 in 2021 sparked controversy. Viewers criticized the show’s quality, a sentiment he echoed, expressing dissatisfaction with being pressured to praise contestants regardless of their abilities. He even considered quitting the show mid-way.

Facts

Here are some interesting facts about Amit Kumar’s life and career:

• A secret Durga Puja singing competition performance led to his father discovering his talent.
• His first TV show, Daddy Kishore and Sunny Amit Together, at age 18, marked a turning point in his recognition.
• He worked as a voice artist for Doordarshan shows like Chunauti and Campus in the late 1980s.
• He provided title tracks for Hindi dubbed versions of cartoons like Bob the Builder and Duck Tales.
• He served as a judge in the singing competition K for Kishore (2008) and Sa Re Ga Ma Pa on Zee Bangla.
• He appeared as a guest on The Kapil Sharma Show in a special Kishore Kumar tribute episode.

Key Milestones

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