Kumar Sanu - Bollywood Playback Singer

Career He first received his career break when the legendary Jagjit Singh offered him a chance to sing for the Hindi movie AANDHIYAN. Kumar Sanu shifted his residence to Mumbai. Already perceiving the genius in him, Kalyanji Anandji gave him the opportunity to sing for the film JAADUGAR.

In fact, they suggested changing his name from Kedarnath Bhattacharya to Kumar Sanu. Before JAADUGAR was released, he had sung for a few films like YEH DESH (1984), JAAL (1986), MUJRIM (1989) and ASMAAN SE OONCHA (1989). Sonu started singing Jagjit Singhs film songs.

He then went on to work with several other composers like Naushad, Ravindra Jain, Hridayanath Mangeshkar, Pt. R K Razdan, Kalyanji Anandji and Usha Khanna.Under these various music composers, he sang for a variety of movies like CID (1990), JURM (1990), PRATIGYABADH (1991), DIL HAI KI MANTA NAHIN (1991), SAAJAN (1991) and SAATHI (1991).

In 1990, for the film AASHIQUI, music director Nadeem Shravan gave Sanu the opportunity to sing all the songs except one. Some of the songs included Sanson Ki Zaroorat Hai Jaise, Tu Meri Zindagi Hai,Nazar Ke Saamne, Jaane Jigar Jaane Man, Ab Tere Bin Ji Lenge Hum, Dheere Dheere Se Meri Zindagi Mein Aana.

He performed Award winning songs for the movies SAAJAN (1991), DEEWANA (1992), BAAZIGAR (1993) and 1942 A LOVE STORY.Sonu often collaborated with Nadeem Shravan. Some of their collaborated songs for the movies were Aashique (1990), Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin, Sadak(1991), SAAJAN (1991), DEEWANA (1992), DIL KA KYA KASOOR (1992), KAL KI AWAZ (1992), SHRIMAN AASHIQUE (1993), SALAMI (1993), DAMINI: LIGHTENING (1993), DIL WALE (1994), AGNI SAKSHI (1994), RAJA HINDUSTANI (1996), JEET (1996) and PARDES (1996).

During his career, which lasted over two decades, he sang with several composers like R D Burman, Anand Milind, Anu Malik, Jatin Lalit, Nadeem Shravan, Ismail Darbar and Kalyanji Anandji. Working under them, Sonu had produced a variety of hits in movies like RAJU BAN GAYA GENTLEMAN, BAADSHAH, KHILADI (1992), BOL RADHA BOL (1992), KABHI HAAN KABHI NAA (1993), GEETANJALI (1993), AANKHAN (1993), SIR(1993), HUM HAIN RAHI PYAAR KE (1993), 1942: A LOVE STORY, EENA MEENA.

Kumar Sanu, like many other celebrities, had joined politics. He joined the Bharatiya Janta Party in the year 2004. The ceremony was held by the then president of BJP Venkiah Naidu. Awards Kumar Sanu has bagged several awards for his outstanding contribution in the industry as a playback singer.

In 1994, he won the Star Screen Award in the category of Best Male Playback Singer for the movie 1942: A LOVE STORY. In 1994, he also won the Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback singer for the movie 1942, A LOVE STORY. In 1993, he again bagged the Filmfare Best Male Playback Singer Award for the song Yeh Kali Kali Aankhen from the movie BAAZIGAR.

In 1992, he won the Filmfare Best Male Playback Singer Award for the Song Sochenge Tumhe Pyaar from the movie DEEWANA. In 1991, he yet again bagged the Filmfare Award in the category of Best Male Playback Singer for the song Mera Dil Bhi Kitna Pagal Hai from the film SAAJAN. In 1990, he yet again won the Filmfare Award in the category of Best Male Playback Singer for the song Ab Tere Bin Jeelenge Hum from the movie AASHIQUI.

Marriage controversy According to a report published in 1994 by the Filmfare Magazine, Kumar Sanus wife Rita had filed a divorce against her husband, convinced of his extra- marital affair with the actress Meenakshi Seshadri. When Meenakshi was contacted, she chose to remain silent. If the news was untrue, then Meenakshi would have definitely filed a legal complaint. To add to Ritas woes, she was pregnant at that time.

According to Rita, when she protested, the two even performed sexual acts in front of her. When a reputed newspaper contacted Kumar Sanus secretary, he told them that the singer slept with many women whom he would not marry. His secretary spoke in Kumars behalf and said that there was nothing wrong in this behavior as rich and powerful men often did the same.