Kumar Sanu

Kedarnath Bhattacharya (born 20 October 1957), professionally known as Kumar Sanu, is an Indian playback singer. He is known as the King of Melody in Bollywood. He is famous for singing thousands of Bollywood Hindi Super Hit songs. Apart from Hindi, he has also sung in other languages including Bengali, Marathi, Nepali, Assamese, Bhojpuri, Gujarati, Manipuri, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil, Punjabi, Odia, 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 from 1991 to 1995. He holds the Guinness Book of world records since 1993 for recording the maximum number of songs in a Single day.

For his contribution to Indian cinema and music, he was awarded the Padma Shri in 2009 by the Government of India. Many of his tracks feature in BBC's "Top 40 Bollywood Soundtracks of all time".

Early life
Kumar Sanu's father, Pashupati Bhattacharya, was a vocalist and composer. The two and Sanu's elder sister lived in the Sinthee area of Calcutta (now Kolkata) near Biswanath Park. Kumar Sanu lived at Panchanan tala at Gopal Bose Lane in Sinthi area at North Kolkata.

Career
Sanu started his playback career as Sanu Bhattacharya from 1984. In 1986, he was in the Bangladeshi film Teen Kanya, directed by Shibli Sadiq. He had his first major Bollywood song in Hero Hiralal (1988).

In 1989, Jagjit Singh introduced Sanu to Kalyanji in Vimal Bunglow, Mumbai. On their suggestion, Sanu changed his early name from "Sanu Bhattacharya" to "Kumar Sanu" after his idol 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, Sanu sang 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.

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 (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 Saajan (1991), Phool Aur Kaante (1991), Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin (1991), Sadak (1991), Pyaar Ka Saaya (1991), Saathi (1991), Deewana (1992), Dil Ka Kya Kasoor (1992), Jaan Tere Naam (1992), Sapne Sajan Ke (1992), Panaah (1992), Junoon (1992), Bekhudi (1992), Dilwale Kabhi Na Hare (1992), Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (1993), Waqt Hamara Hai (1993), Rang (1993), Shreemaan Aashique (1993), Sainik (1993), Dil Tera Aashiq (1993), Tadipaar (1993), Sangraam (1993), Dhartiputra (1993), Divya Shakti (1993), Damini (1993), Dilwale (1994), Aatish (1994), Salaami (1994), Ekka Raja Rani (1994), Saajan Ka Ghar (1994), Andolan (1995), Barsaat (1995), Saajan Ki Baahon Mein (1995), Zamaana Deewana (1995), Raja Hindustani (1996), Agnisakshi (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), Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya (2002), Dil Hai Tumhaara (2002), Tum Se Achcha Kaun Hai (2002), Dil Ka Rishta (2003), Qayamat (2003), Andaaz (2003), Bewafaa (2005) and Barsaat (2005) He sang most of his 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), Phool Aur Angaar (1993), Imtihaan (1994), Khuddar (1994), Vijaypath (1994), Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994), Naajayaz (1995), The Gambler (1995), Akele Hum Akele Tum (1995), Diljale (1996), Krishna (1996), Sapoot (1996), Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1996), Daraar (1996), Chaahat (1996), Virasat (1997), Judwaa (1997), Auzaar (1997), Mr. and Mrs. Khiladi (1997), Ishq (1997), Duplicate (1998), Kareeb (1998), Soldier (1998), Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain (1999), Aarzoo (1999), Jaanam Samjha Karo (1999), Sooryavansham (1999), Biwi No.1 (1999), Hum To Mohabbat Karega (2000), Ajnabee (2001), 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 (1994), 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), Vaastav (1999), Sarfarosh (1999), Khoobsurat (1999) and Yeh Hai Mumbai Meri Jaan (1999) He has sung a total of 137 songs for them.

Himesh
Kumar Sanu worked for Himesh Reshammiya, for all title tracks of TV serials which Reshammiya produced. All the title tracks were sung by Kumar Sanu, and then in his debut film as a music director, Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya (1998) and further for many other films such as Bandhan (1998), Hello Brother (1999), Kurukshetra (2000), Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye (2000), Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge (2000), Jodi No.1 (2001), Yeh Hai Jalwa (2002), Humraaz (2002) and Taarzan (2004).

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), Kaun Sachcha Kaun Jhootha (1997), Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (2000), Kya Kehna (2000), Karobaar (2000) and Aetbaar (2004).

Viju Shah
Kumar Sanu has rendered his voice for some of Viju Shah's greatest compositions. Vishwatma (1992), Mohra (1994), Ravan Raaj: A True Story (1995), 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
Kumar 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 Trinetra (1991), Jigar (1992), Bol Radha Bol (1992), Suryavanshi (1992), Ek Ladka Ek Ladki (1992), Anari (1993), Insaniyat Ke Devta (1993), Hasti (1993), Platform (1993), Lootere (1993), Krantiveer (1994), Raja Babu (1994), Suhaag (1994), Gopi Kishan (1994), Jai Kishen (1994), Coolie No 1 (1995), Mr. Bechara (1996), Army (1996), Rakshak (1996), Bandish (1996), Hero No. 1 (1997), Gair (1999), Chal Mere Bhai (2000) and Chhupa Rustam (2001).

Other work
Sanu has released albums of Kishore Kumar's songs including Kishore Ki Yaadein, a collection early in his career. Then came the Yaadein series where he sang many of the songs of Kishore Kumar along with singers Abhijeet Bhattacharya and Vinod Rathod.

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 TV in a music reality show called Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. 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 of the Star Jalsha popular musical reality show Super Singer.

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. He also made special appearances as an actor in the movies Sapne Sajan Ke (1992) 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.

In 2022 Sanu collaborated with music director Vaibhav Saxena and two young singers for "Mohabbat Mein tere sanam" which was released and distributed worldwide by new-age Record Label Vusic Records.

Work with other singers
Sanu had multiple hit duet numbers with singers Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, K.S.Chithra, Anuradha Paudwal, Alka Yagnik, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Sadhana Sargam, Alisha Chinai, Sunidhi Chauhan, Sapna Mukherjee, Poornima, Sapna Awasthi, Hema Sardesai, Shreya Ghoshal, Akriti Kakkar, Monali Thakur, Neha Kakkar, Jaspinder Narula 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 (1980) and (1990). 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
Sanu returned to playback singing in 2012. He made a comeback at the urge of composers Sajid–Wajid. Sajid-Wajid gave him "Chhammak Chhallo Chhail Chhabili", a wedding song with Shreya Ghoshal for the film Rowdy Rathore (2012). In 2015, 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 45-year history that the voice of Mangeshkar was replaced.

Awards

 * Filmfare Awards (1991–1995)
 * Padma Shri (2009)
 * Padma Shri (2009)

Civil honours

 * 2023
 * Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar National Contribution Award, [National Award At Rajbhavan Mumbai]
 * Shri Bhagat Singh Koshiyari Honourable Governor Of Maharastra And Organiser Shri Gurubhai Sureshbhai Thakkar
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Filmfare Awards

 * Won


 * Nominated

Other awards

 * 2016 : Featured in "Most searched and popular Indian singers on Google in the 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 Anjaani Hai" – Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
 * 1998: Nomination: Zee Cine Awards Best Playback Singer – Male for "Do Dil Mil Rahe Hain" – Pardes
 * 1998: Nomination: Screen Awards Best Male Playback Singer for "Do Dil Mil Rahe Hain" – Pardes
 * 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
 * 1993 : Guinness World Records Award For " Most number of songs recorded in a day 28"
 * 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
 * 1993 : Guinness World Records Award For " Most number of songs recorded in a day 28"