“Show must go on” Kumar Sanu on Completing 4 decades in Bollywood

Kedarnath Bhattacharya, better known as Kumar Sanu, has been an Indian playback singer since the last 4 decades. He is also known as the King of Melody in Bollywood. In an exclusive interview with Adgully, he speaks about completing his musical journey of 40 years and also shares about his success, his rewards, regrets as well as his future plan of writing his autobiography.

Your life story has been inspiring to many. Have you ever thought of coming up with an autobiography?

It has been some time that people have been approaching me for my autobiographical but I have been busy with my first love, singing so have not decided about it. I need more time to think whether I want my autobiography or no. I am still thinking about it.

You have been a success since the last four decades. When you look back, what was your biggest struggle to survive in Bollywood?

Struggle is struggle, there is no big or small. The first time I held the microphone in my hand I could hear the chorus artists saying - see one more singer from Calcutta (Kolkata) is here. Even after hearing that taunt, I sang my bit melodiously. One can be drenched in the rain, one can spend time at the railway stations - each one has survived his/ her own struggles.

What is your biggest struggle so far?

My Sustainance!! I have achieved a lot of success over the years; I have to sustain that, maintain that and take it forward in my life.

What are your views on politics in the music industry with specific camps?

I am least interested or bothered at all. Yes, there are groups and they don’t take singers outside the group. But I am getting paid, people call me with respect and I do my work. Every alternate day I am recording songs. And I only choose my type of songs which has good melody and meaningful lyrics. I may not be heard in big banner films but I am still singing.

Films are not working well at the box office since last couple of years. What according to you can be the reasons?

Lack of good music is one of the reasons. Music is a territory and good music is like a relaxation in a film. People come to watch movies for relaxation and good music can only provide that.  But now-a-days where is good music!!  I don’t want to sing for a big banner movie which I think will be a flop in future.

What songs can we find in Kumar Sanu’s playlist?

To be honest I do not listen much to music, especially my own songs. I love to watch English and South films. I have observed you get to learn a lot from South films. Moreover, the films in down South are quite engaging and interesting.  

Do you think South Indian music is the best?

No, according to me Hindi film music is supreme.

Any regrets in your journey so far?

There are many but few are close to my heart. I have always wanted to have my own chartered plane and I have also worked towards it. But somehow that didn’t materialise. And I always wanted to work with genius composers like Shankar-Jaikishan, SD Burman etc, which also could not be fulfiled.

How do you see your legacy passing on to the next generation?

I feel they have to be on their own. I cannot hold their hand and steer them towards what I want. It’s not the job of the daddy, they have to work hard and get success their own way.

What was your “Show must go on moment”?

I feel to go on is the utmost commitment towards our profession. I remember when my father died I had a live show in West Bengal and my father took the promise from me that I should not shave my hair. And same thing happened when I lost my mother. Whatever happens in our life an artist's job is to perform.

You are a Bengali and you have dominated the Hindi playback scenario. Have you ever been criticised or been left out for your Bengali accent?

When I used to sing in the hotels, I learnt Urdu because when you sing ghazals you cannot go wrong with the diction. The famous composer, Kalyanji gave me my name as Kumar Sanu so no one could identify me as Bengali.

To conclude, what is your dream in regard to music and your profession?

I don’t have any dream now. I just want to continue singing till the end of my life. Because when you don’t do what you are known for, people tend to forget you. And that is common everywhere.