Biography
Who is Kumar Sanu?
Early life and real name
Kumar Sanu was born as Kedarnath Bhattacharya in Kolkata, India, on September 23, 1957. His father, Pashupati Bhattacharya, worked as a vocalist and composer. During his early years, Kumar lived with his father and elder sister in Panchanantala at Gopal Bose Lane in the Sinthee area of North Kolkata.
For his education, Kumar attended the University of Calcutta. Before adopting his current stage name, he began his playback singing career in 1984 with the film Yeh Desh. Singer Jagjit Singh later introduced him to composers Kalyanji and Anandji in 1989, who encouraged him to change his professional name.
Career highlights
Kumar achieved mainstream breakthrough success with the soundtrack of the film Aashiqui in 1990. He established a dominant romantic playback style through popular tracks such as Ab Tere Bin and Nazar Ke Samne. His success continued throughout the decade with major films like Saajan, Deewana, Baazigar, and 1942: A Love Story.
Between 1991 and 1995, Kumar won the Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer for five consecutive years. In 1993, he entered the Guinness World Records by recording 28 songs in a single day. The Government of India honored him with the Padma Shri award in 2009 for his contributions to music.
Other works and later career
In addition to his film recordings, Kumar has appeared as a judge and mentor on various television music reality shows. He also released tribute albums dedicated to Kishore Kumar and performed in nostalgia concerts celebrating 1990s Bollywood music. He founded a primary school for underprivileged children in Delhi's Karol Bagh, providing students with free books and uniforms.
From the 2010s onward, Kumar focused heavily on stage events and live shows both domestically and internationally. He collaborated with various music directors and artists, continuing to record new tracks while celebrating his extensive musical catalogue.
Family and personal life
Kumar's first marriage was to Rita Bhattacharya in 1986, with whom he had three children before their divorce. He later married Saloni Bhattacharya in 2001. The couple has two daughters, Annabelle and Shannon K, who is a singer adopted by the family.
Beyond his immediate family, Kumar remains connected to his roots in India and maintains an active career in the music industry. He continues to support charitable initiatives and educational projects for disadvantaged youths.
Birthday and age
Kumar Sanu was born on September 23, 1957, which makes Kumar 69 years old today. That birthday falls under the Libra sign. Kumar shares the date with 37 other famous people.
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