Kishore Kumar was an Indian actor and playback singer born as Abhas Kumar Ganguly on 4 August 1929 and passed away on 13 October 1987. He is recognised as one of the greatest and most versatile singers in Indian music history. He was one of the most well-known vocalists in the Indian cinema business and was well-known for his yodelling and versatility. Kumar used to perform in a variety of musical genres, however some of his classic but rare works have since been lost to time. Kishore Kumar’s success as a singer, in the words of his brother Ashok Kumar, “voice hits the mike, straight, at its most sensitive point”. He also performed in Bengali, Marathi, Assamese, Gujarati, Kannada, Bhojpuri, Malayalam, Odia, and Urdu in addition to Hindi. He has published a few non-film albums that are regarded as classics throughout time in a number of languages, particularly Bengali. He currently holds the record for the most Filmfare Awards in that category after winning 8 of them for Best Male Playback Singer. The Madhya Pradesh government gave him the Lata Mangeshkar Award in 1985. The “Kishore Kumar Award” was established by the Madhya Pradesh government in 1997 to recognise contributions to Hindi film. The unreleased final song of Kumar was auctioned off in 2012 at the Osian’s Cinefan Auction in New Delhi for 15.6 lakh.

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About Kishore Kumar

Abhas Kumar Ganguly, the younger brother of Kishore Kumar, was born in Khandwa, Central Provinces (now in Madhya Pradesh), to a Bengali Brahmin Ganguly family. His mother, Gouri Devi, was a housewife who came from a prosperous Bengali family, and his father, Kunjalal Ganguly (Gangopadhyay), was a lawyer. The Kamavisadar Gokhale family of Khandwa invited Kunjalal Gangopadhyaya to serve as their personal attorney. Ashok, the oldest, Sati Devi, and Anoop were Kumar’s older three older siblings. Kumar was the youngest of the four children. His brother Ashok became a Hindi film actor while Kumar was still a youngster. Later, with Ashok’s assistance, Anoop also went to the movies. Kumar received his degree from Indore’s Christian College.

Later Years

Amit Kumar, the son of Kishore Kumar, broke into the Hindi film industry in 1974 with the song “Apne Bas Ki Baat Nahi,” which was written by Kumar for the movie Badthi Ka Naam Daadi. With the success of the song “Bade Achche Lagte Hai,” Amit Kumar rose to fame. Even in the 1980s, Kishore continued to sing for various actors. Since 1969, Kumar has been performing on stages to raise money for his unpaid income taxes. After Amitabh Bachchan declined to make a guest appearance in the Kishore-produced movie Mamta Ki Chhaon Mein in 1981, Kumar ceased singing for him. In the films Naseeb, Coolie, Mard, and Desh Premee, Kishore refused to voice Amitabh. Kishore agreed to sing in Mahaan, Shakti, and Bemisal since he and R. D. Burman got along well. Later, Kishore broke the tension by singing for Amitabh in a solo song in the films Toofan and Shahenshah. For his film Mamta Ki Chaon Mein, Kishore performed the song “Mera Geet Adhura Hai,” which was picturized on Rajesh Khanna. Rajesh Khanna assisted Amit Kumar in distributing the movie in 1989 after Kishore, the film’s director, passed away in 1987. After Yogeeta Bali divorced him and married Mithun Chakraborty, he also briefly stopped singing for Chakraborty. He did, however, go on to sing for Chakraborty in the 1979 film Surakshaa and a number of movies in the 1980s, including Boxer, Jaagir, Faraib, and Waqt Ki Awaz.

In the middle of the 1980s, Kishore recorded for Mr. India and sang for Anil Kapoor in Woh Saat Din, the actor’s debut Hindi film as a leading man. “Zindagi Ki Yahi Reet Hai Haar Ke Baad Hi Jeet Hai” from 1987. He sang duets with Alka Yagnik for Kaamchor in 1982, including “Tumse Badhkar Duniya Mein Na Dekha,” “Humnashi Aaake from Ek Daku Saher Mein,” and “Teri Meri Prem Kahani” for the film Pighalta Aasman. Additionally, he made recordings for up-and-coming artists like Aditya Pancholi for the song “Mere Dil Mein Utar Jana” from the movie Laal Paree (1991). A few days prior to having a heart attack in 1981, he had performed the duets “Kaho Kahan Chale” for the movie Bulundi, “Pyar Ka Dard Hai” from Dard, and “Tum Jo Chale Gaye” from Aas Paas. On January 24, 1981, around midday in Kolkata, he experienced his first heart attack. Four hours later, he experienced his second heart attack. Mere Sang Sang Aya from Rajput (1982) and “Mausam Bheega Bheega” from the movie Gehra Zakham were the first solo songs he sang after recovering from his two assaults.

Death of Kishore Kumar

By September 1987, Kishore Kumar had decided to finally retire because he was dissatisfied with the type of songs and tunes being created by music directors, and he intended to return to his homeland of Khandwa. On October 13th, 1987, Kishore Kumar’s brother Ashok Kumar’s 76th birthday, he died of a heart attack in Bombay at 4:45 p.m. His remains were transported to Khandwa for cremation. The day before his death, Kishore recorded “Guru Guru,” a duet with Asha Bhosle for the film Waqt Ki Awaz (1988), composed by Bappi Lahiri for Mithun Chakraborty and Sridevi. Kishore Kumar’s wife Leena Chandavarkar was quoted as saying on the day of his death and his final lines before taking his last breath:

“On the morning of October 13 (the day Kishore Kumar passed away in 1987), he looked pale and as though in deep sleep. As I went near him, he woke up and asked, ‘Did you get scared? Today is my holiday’.” That day he had several meetings at home. During lunch he told me that we’d watch the film River Of No Return in the evening. A little later, I heard him move furniture in the next room. When I went to see what was happening, I saw him lying on the bed. Nervously he said, ‘I’m feeling weak’. I ran to call the doctor. He got angry and said, ‘If you call the doctor, I’ll get a heart-attack’. Those were his last lines. His eyes were wide open and he was breathing out. I thought he was fooling as usual but that was the end.”

Early Career of Kishore Kumar

The Ganguly family frequented Bombay (now Mumbai) after Ashok Kumar rose to fame in Hindi movies. At Bombay Talkies, where his brother worked, Abhas Kumar used the name “Kishore Kumar” and began his career as a chorus singer. Kumar was given the opportunity to perform “Marne Ki Duayen Kyon Mangu” for the movie Ziddi (1948) by music director Khemchand Prakash. Following this, Kumar received numerous offers for jobs, but he wasn’t extremely committed to a career in movies. He moved to Bombay in 1949. In the beginning of his career, Kumar was greatly influenced by K. L. Saigal, who he mimicked in a few of his early films before developing his own, distinctive style. Rabindranath Tagore, a poet and musician who greatly impacted him in many ways, was revered by him. He had a deep admiration for Danny Kaye, the singer-actor from Hollywood. At his home in Gouri Kun, he had photos of all three people displayed, and he usually paid them respects each day. Ahmed Rushdi, a playback singer, had a significant influence on Kumar in his subsequent career. In fact, Rushdi was so beloved by Kumar that he paid him a homage by singing some of his songs at the London venue Royal Albert Hall. Yodeling was used by Kumar in many of his songs, including Chala jata hoon, Zindagi ek safar hai suhana, and Yeh dil na hota bechara.
The style, which was influenced by Tex Morton and Jimmie Rodgers, eventually evolved into a crucial aspect of his singing. Salil Chowdhary, the music director of the film Half Ticket, had a duet in mind for the song “Aake Seedhi Lagi Dil Pe” and wanted Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar to sing it. However, Kumar found a solution by singing both the male and female sections of the song himself because Lata Mangeshkar wasn’t in town and Salil Chowdhury had to record that track before she could return. The genuine duet is for Pran and Kumar, who are depicted on film as women. He performed admirably well singing in both male and female voices, so it just worked out perfectly. Dev Anand’s Munimji (1954), Taxi Driver (1954), House No. 44 (1955), Funtoosh (1956), Nau Do Gyarah (1957), Paying Guest (1957), Guide (1965), Jewel Thief (1967), Prem Pujari (1970), and Tere Mere Sapne (1970) all featured Kumar as the voice of the character (1971). Additionally, he wrote the soundtrack for Kumar’s home movie Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958). Maana Janaab Ne Pukara Nahin from Paying Guest (1957), Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke from Nau Do Gyarah (1957), Ai Meri Topi Palat Ke Aa from Funtoosh (1956), and Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhaagi Si from Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi were a few of their songs.
Kumar’s work as a performer with several music directors throughout this time period includes the following:

Kumar’s aptitude as a singer was also acknowledged by music director C. Ramchandra. They worked together on the following songs:

Rahul Dev Burman collaborated with Kumar on the soundtrack of the 1968 film Padosan, for which Kumar performed “Mere Saamne Wali Khidki Mein” and “Kehna Hai.” Kishore starred as a dramatist-musician in Padosan, Mehmood as a Carnatic music as well as dance instructor, and Sunil Dutt as a simpleton named Bhola. Kishore’s character was influenced by his uncle, classical singer Dhananjay Bannerjee. The musical, humorous conflict between Kumar, Sunil Dutt, and Mehmood was the film’s highlight: “Ek Chatur Nar Karke Singaar”. Shakti Samanta directed and produced Aradhana in the year 1969. In the film, Kumar sung three songs: “Mere Sapnon Ki Rani,” “Kora Kagaj Tha Ye Man Mera,” and “Roop Tera Mastana.” Shakti Samanta proposed that Kumar perform the other songs as well. Kumar’s three songs from the film established him as a leading playback singer in Hindi cinema when it was released. Kumar’s first Filmfare award was for “Roop Tera Mastana”.

Acting Career of Kishore Kumar

Kumar made his film debut in Shikari (1946), in which his brother, Ashok, played the prominent role. Phani Majumdar directed the Bombay Talkies film Andolan (1951), in which Kumar played the lead. Despite getting some acting roles through his brother, he was more keen in becoming a singer. But Ashok wished Kumar would become an actor like him. Between 1946 and 1955, Kumar acted in 22 films, 16 of which were flops, and because he was uninterested in pursuing acting as a vocation, he would find ways to get in the director’s or producer’s good graces, causing them to remove him from their productions. Kumar acquired a genuine interest in acting only after the success of films such as Ladki, Naukari, Miss Malaysia, Char Paise, and Baap Re Baap, which culminated in his having successful films as the lead actor between 1955 and 1966. Kumar appeared in Bimal Roy’s Naukari (1954), as well as Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s debut film Musafir (1957). Salil Chowdhury, the music director for Naukari, was originally disdainful of Kumar as a singer after discovering that he had no formal musical training. Chowdhury, however, offered him the song Chhota Sa Ghar Hoga, which was intended to be sung by Hemant Kumar, after hearing his voice.

His best years as an actor were between 1954 and 1966. His onscreen collaborations with actresses Mala Sinha, Vyjayanthimala, Nutan, Madhubala, Meena Kumari, and Kumkum resulted in his biggest hits. Kumar’s commercially successful films include the following:

His home production, Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958), starred the three Ganguly brothers and Madhubala. Kumar portrayed an auto mechanic who falls in love with a city girl (Madhubala), and there is a subplot involving the brothers. Kumar appeared in and composed the music for Jhumroo (1961), as well as writing the lyrics for the title song, “Main Hoon Jhumroo.” Later, he produced and directed the Bengali film Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein (1964), in which he co-starred alongside Supriya Devi. He also penned the story and composed the music for the film, which is about a father (Kumar) and his deaf and mute son (played by his real-life son Amit Kumar). As an actor, Kumar gained a reputation for arriving late for shoots or skipping them entirely after 1966. After 1965, his films bombed repeatedly, and he ran into income tax problems. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Kumar produced and directed several films, including Pyar Zindagi Hai, Badhti Ka Naam Dadhi (1978), Sabaash Daddy, Zindagi (1981), Door Wadiyon Mein Kahin (1980), and Chalti Ka Naam Zindagi (1982), his final appearance as an actor.

Period of 1970s and 1980s

Kumar was a popular singer in the 1970s and 1980s till his death in 1987. Kumar recorded the most songs for Rajesh Khanna over his career. Kumar sung 245 songs in 92 films starring Rajesh Khanna, an unrivalled record for a singer-actor pairing. Kishore performed 245 songs for Rajesh Khanna, 202 songs for Jeetendra, 119 songs for Dev Anand, and 131 songs for Amitabh Bachchan. S. D. Burman and Kishore continued to compose music for films such as Prem Pujari (1969), “Pal Bhar Ke Liye” from Johny Mera Naam, “Aaj Madhosh Hua Jaye Re,” “Khilte Hain Gul Yahan,” and “O Meri Sharmilee” from Sharmilee (1971), “Meet Na Mila” from Abhimaan (1973), and “Jeevan Ki Bagiya Mehkegi” from Tere Mere Sapne (1971). S. D. Burman wrote his final song for Kishore, “Badi Sooni Sooni Hai,” for the film Mili in 1975. R. D. Burman collaborated with Kumar on various songs in the 1970s, such as:

Despite the fact that Kumar had no official training in classical music, R. D. Burman frequently had Kumar sing semi-classical songs such as “Humein Tum Se Pyaar Kitna” from the movie Kudrat as well as “Mere Naina Saawan Bhadon” from the film Mehbooba.

R.D. Burman recorded a number of duets with Kishore, Asha Bhosle, and Lata Mangeshkar, such as:

Kumar collaborated with several well-known music directors in addition to the Burmans. Many of his songs were written by the composer duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal (L-P), such as:

L-P also collaborated on duets with Kishore and Mohammed Rafi for the films Zakhmee, Dostana, Ram Balram, and Deedaar-E-Yaar. For Mr. India (1987), L-P wrote “I Love You (Kaate Nahin Katate Yeh Din Yeh Raat),” a duet with Kishore and Alisha Chinoy. Salil Chowdhury recorded songs from the movies Mere Apne and Annadata, including “Koi Hota Jisko Apna” and “Guzar Jaaye Din Din”.  Ravindra Jain recorded “Ghungroo Ki Tarah,” as well as the duets “Le Jaayenge Le Jaayenge” and “Tota Maina Ki Kahani” from the film Chor Machaye Shor and Fakira. For the movie Anandshram, Shyamal Mitra recorded a duet of Kishore with Asha – Sara Pyaar Tumhara.

Many of Kishore Kumar’s duets with Lata Mangeshkar were recorded by Khayyam, including “Hazaar Raahein” as well as “Ankhon Mein Humne” from the film Thodisi Bewafaii and “Chandni Raat Mein” from the movie Dil-E-Nadaan (1982). Mashaal’s “Zindagi Aa Raha Hoon Main” was recorded by Hridaynath Mangeshkar in the year 1984. Kalyanji-Anandji collaborated with Kishore on some songs, such as “Zindagi Ka Safar” and “Jeevan Se Bhari” from the film Safar (1970), “O Saathi Re” from the movie Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978), “Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas” from the production Blackmail (1973), “Neele Neele Ambar Par” from the movie Kalaakaar (1983), and the chart-topping qawwali “Qurbani Qurbani” from the movie Qurbani in the year 1980. Kishore also collaborated with composers like as Rajesh Roshan, Sapan Chakraborty, and Bappi Lahiri. For Rajesh Roshan’s movie Julie, Kumar sang “Bhool Gaya Sab Kuchh” (duet with Lata Mangeshkar) as well as “Dil Kya Kare Jab Kisise.”

In addition to these, they also sang “Yaadon Mein Woh” from Swami, “Chhookar Mere Man Ko Kiya Toone Kya Ishaara” from Yaarana, “Kaha Tak Ye Manko Andher Chalenge” from Baton Baton Mein, “O Yara Tu Yaro Se Hai Pyar,” “Laharon Ki Tatah Yaadien”, and “Kahiye, Suniye” also from Baton Baton Mein. Additionally, Bappi Lahiri collaborated with Kumar on a number of songs, such as Pag Ghunghroo Bandh from Namak Halaal (1982), Manzilen Apni Jagah Hai from Sharaabi (1984), “Chalate Chalte Mere Ye Geet Yad Rakhana” from Chalte Chalte (1975), “Saason Se Nahi Kadmose Nahi” from Mohabbat (1987), and duets with La (1984). Bengali songs by Kishore and Bappi, such as “Chirodini Tumi Je Amar” from Amar Sangi (1987) and “E Amar Gurudakshina” from Gurudakshina, were very popular (1987). Ajay Das, another Bengali musician, wrote numerous popular songs with Kumar’s voice. In 1975, for the film Sunehra Sansar, he also recorded Kishore’s sole song, Hello Hello Kya Haal Hai, as a duet with Asha Bhosle. Additionally, he collaborated with the composers Basu and Manohari Singh on duets for the movies Chatpatee and Sabse Bada Rupaiya, including “Aa Humsafar” for Chatpatee and “Wada Karo Jaanam” and “Dariya Kinare” for the former.

Indian Emergency (1975–1977)

Kishore was approached to perform for an Indian National Congress (INC) rally in Bombay during the Indian Emergency (1975 – 1977) by Sanjay Gandhi, but he declined.  Because of this, Vidya Charan Shukla, minister of information and broadcasting from 1975 to 1977, issued an unofficial ban on playing Kumar songs on All India Radio and Doordarshan starting on May 4 1976, till the end of the Emergency.

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Collaboration with Other Artists

The most male duet and multi-singer hits with the best vocalists from various eras are attributed to Kishore Kumar. The most duets Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle performed together were (687 duets). Along with Lata Mangeshkar and others, he performed duets with Mohammed Rafi, Manna Dey, Mahendra Kapoor, Geeta Dutt, Sulakshana Pandit, and others. The most renowned vocalists in Hindi movies, Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammed Rafi, and Mukesh, sung one song with Kishore in the Amar Akbar Anthony song “Humko Tumse Ho Gaya Hai Pyar.” They probably only ever sang together for one song at a time like this.

Bhajans

Kishore Kumar sang Bhajans such as “Aao Kanhai Mere Dham” from the film Mere Jeevan Saathi in1972, “Devi Mata Rani” from the movie Swarag Se Sunder in the year 1986, “Jai Bholenath Jai Ho Prabhu” from the movie Kunwara Baap in the year 1974, “He Re Kanhaiya” from the film Chhoti Bahu in the year 1971, “Jab Ram Naam Le Le” from the film Abhi Toh Jee Le in the year 1977, “Kahe Apno K Kaam Nahi Aye Tu” from the movie Raampur Ka Lakshman in the year of 1972, “Krishna Krishna, Bolo Krishna” from the movie Naya Din Nai Raat in the year of 1974, “Prabhuji Teri Leela Aparampaar” from the film Humsafar in the year 1953, etc.

Qawwalis

Kishore Kumar recorded Qawwalis like all time hit “Vaada Tera Vaada” from the film Dushman in the year 1971, “Hum Toh Jhuk Kar Salam Karte Hai” from the film Fakira in the year 1976, “Mehfil Mein Paimana Jo Laga Jhumne” from the movie Chunaoti in the year 1980, “Is Ishq Mein” from the movie Mr. Romeo in the year 1974, “Kya Cheez Hai Aurat Duniya Mein” from the film Zorro in the year 1975, “Haal Kya Hai Dilon Ka” from the film Anokhi Ada in the year 1973, a semi qawwali “Jab Se Sarkar Ne Nashabandi Tod Di” from the movie 5 Rifles in the year 1974, the chart buster qawwali “Qurbani Qurbani Qurbani” from the movie Qurbani in the year 1980, etc.

Ghazals

Kishore Kumar performed Ghazals such as “Peechhli Yaad Bhula Do” from the movie Mehndi in the year 1983, “Aisi Haseen Chandni” from the movie Dard in the year 1981, “Yun Neend Se Woh Jaan-E-Chaman” from the film Dard Ka Rishta in the year 1982, “Tera Chehra Mejhe Gulab Lage” from  the film Aapas Ki Baat in the year 1981, and others.

Legacy of Kishore Kumar

Kishore Kumar’s singing style impacted singers such as Kumar Sanu, Ayushmann Khurrana, Vinod Rathod, Abhijeet Bhattacharya, Amit Kumar, and Sudesh Bhosale. Singer Arijit Singh has also expressed his admiration for Kishore Kumar. Kumar influenced several other vocalists, including Mohit Chauhan, Shaan, Neeti Mohan, Shilpa Rao, Sunidhi Chauhan, and KK. On 7 April 2012, Kingdom of Dreams, a work of the Great Indian Nautanki Company co – owned by Wizcraft International Entertainment as well as Apra Group, released the musical comedy Jhumroo, a tribute to Kumar and his contribution to music and Hindi films. Kumar’s nostalgic tunes are featured in the musical comedy. On October 22, 2018, a statue of Kumar was unveiled on Kolkata’s Southern Avenue. On his 86th birthday, Kumar’s son Amit released an album titled Baba Mere. It depicts Kumar’s granddaughter Muktika Ganguly getting up in the middle of the night and meeting her grandfather in her nightmares. The album is like a film on a large canvas. The record, according to Amit Kumar, is the finest tribute to his father, Kishore Kumar. Kumar was ranked fourth in the UK-based newspaper Eastern Eye’s list of the “Greatest 20 Bollywood Playback Singers” in 2015. In 2016, Kumar was also one of the top ten most searched Indian artists on Google.

In the June 2010 Outlook Music Poll sponsored by Outlook Magazine, three songs tied for second place: Kishore performed one. “Kuch to log kahenge logon ka kaam hai kehna” was the song (Amar Prem, 1972). Outlook published the results of this poll. People from the Indian music industry were on the jury. There have been requests to the Government of India to posthumously award the singer-actor the Bharat Ratna (India’s Highest Civilian Award). Manna Dey, a contemporary of Kishore, once stated, “Kishore had the best voice of all playback singers. He made singing sound so effortless. He had no classical training but could surpass me in a song because of his wonderful musical instinct and natural singing flair”.

Famous Playback Singer of Hindi movies Asha Bhosle, stated:

“It is impossible for anyone to take Kishore Kumar’s place. Kishore Kumar was one of a kind. He swayed everyone with his mellifluous voice and even made everyone around him always happy. He has been a true gem to the music industry.”

Veteran actor Rajesh Khanna stated “Kishore Kumar was my soul and I was his body.”

Actress Vyjayanthimala once stated:

“I did several films with Kishore Kumar. He was always full of fun and frolic. You couldn’t really predict what he was up to. It was wonderful working with him. Being a singer, he was so quick in his rhythm and quick in his reflexes while dancing. It was easy to match his steps and he was comfortable with me too. He used to tell me, ‘Aap to taal mein karte hai sab to bahut hi achha lagta hai mujhe. Betaali ho jati hai to mushkil padta hai.’ (It’s nice that you dance in rhythm. It’s difficult if rhythms don’t match.)”

Kishore Kumar, according to Amitabh Bachchan, is a multitalented genius who will continue to be a fantastic star. Sachin Tendulkar, a former cricketer and batsman, stated:

“Kishore Kumar’s music has been a constant companion of mine and I feel his songs are truly timeless.”

In 2012, Kumar’s unreleased song sold for Rs 15.6 lakh at the Osian’s Cinefan Auction in New Delhi, the highest amount bid for any Indian vocalist. “Tum hi to woh ho” was written by Kulwant Jani and composed by Usha Khanna. This was for Rakesh Kumar’s film “Khel Tamasha,” which was never made. Three days before his death in October 1987, he recorded the song. Today, Kumar’s popularity covers numerous South Asian countries, particularly Pakistan. Half Ticket, a digitally coloured version of Kumar’s film, was released theatrically in 2012. To find a singer like Kumar, Sony TV hosted the televised singing competition K For Kishore. Kumar’s popular songs are still reworked or copied nowadays. The Madhya Pradesh government has erected a memorial in his honour on the outskirts of Khandwa. It is open to the public and features a life-sized statue of him in a lotus-shaped building. There is also a mini-theatre and museum devoted to him. Every year on his birth and death anniversaries, a function is organised, and many fans attend. On certain days, his films are also shown at the mini-theatre.

Every year, a significant number of musical tributes, special programmes, and gatherings are inspired by his birth and death anniversaries. Fans of Kumar and music enthusiasts from Khandwa make offerings of ‘doodh jalebi,’ Kumar’s favourite food, at his memorial every year on his birthday.

In Popular Culture

• On the occasion of Kumar’s 85th birthday, Google honoured him with a special doodle on its Indian home page on August 4, 2014.
• The Simpsons episode “Kiss Kiss, Bang Bangalore” included Kumar’s song “Pal Bhar Ke Liye” from the movie Johny Mera Naam (1970). His songs have also appeared in films such as Such a Long Journey (1998) and Side Streets (1998).
• Kumar’s vocals from the track Saala Main Toh Saab Ban Gaya were utilised in the film Raja Hindustani, starring Aamir Khan, nine years after his passing. Kumar originally sang it for Dilip Kumar in the film Sagina.
• Kishore Kumar Junior, a Bengali drama film directed by Kaushik Ganguly, was dedicated to Kumar and his followers.
• Kumar Sanu’s song “Amar Shilpi Tumi Kishore Kumar,” a Bengali chart-topper, was dedicated to Kishore’s memory.
• The song “Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani” from the 1972 movie Jawani Diwani was replicated in the 2019 film Student of the Year 2, a followup to Student of the Year, featuring music composed by Vishal-Shekhar and sung by Vishal Dadlani, Payal Dev, and Kishore Kumar (only singing the lyric tune of Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani).
• Anurag Basu is directing an official biopic on his life and times, starring Ranbir Kapoor as Kishore Kumar.

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