Kumar Sanu originally was named Kedarnath Bhattacharya. He was born on 23rd September 1957 in Kolkata. Today he is hailed as one of the preeminent playback singers of Bollywood. Kumar Sanu was born to an illustrious classical vocalist and composer Pashupati Bhattacharjee under whom he received his early training in singing and in playing the tabla. He completed his graduation in commerce from Calcutta University. Afterwards from 1979, he started performing publicly, in and around Kolkata.
But later on Sanu moulded his syntax after the legendary Bollywood singer Kishore Kumar. He moved to Mumbai to try his luck in Bollywood. But for a long time he did not accomplish his kind of success. In the early 1980s, he stole an opportunity to record his voice for a series of Kishore Kumar, covering for a pop label. It was music director and singer Jagjit Singh who had offered Sanu the opportunity to sing in the Hindi film, Aandhiyan. After this episode famous music director duo Kalyanji-Anandji gave him a chance to sing in the film Jaadugar. It was their suggestion, that Kedar Bhattacharya should change his name and adopt a stage name like Kumar Sanu.
The 90s saw Kumar Sanu render a breakthrough performance with the film Asshiqui. Success arrived at his doorstep overnight. Sanson ki zaroorat hai jaise, Tu meri zindagi hain, Nazar ke saamne, Jaane jigar jaaneman, Ab Tere Bin Jee Lenge Hum and Dheere, dheere se meri zindagi mein aana are the hit songs from the film. He fetched five consecutive Filmfare awards as a recognition to his talent and he was bestowed the award as `Best Male Playback Singer`. The Filmfare awards he has received down the line, for his films are: in 1995 for the song Tujhe Dekha Toh Yeh for the epoch-making film `Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge`; in the year 1990 for the song Aab Tere Bin Jeelenge -from the film Aashiqui, in 1991 for the song Mera Dil Bhi Kitna Pagal Hai from the film Saajan; in 1992 for the song Sochenge Tumhe Pyaar from the film Deewana; in 1993 for the song Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhen from the movie Baazigar; in the year 1994 for the song Ek Ladki Ko Dekha from the film 1942: A Love Story.
The deadly duo of Nadeem-Shravan and Kumar Sanu became a cherished combination within a short span of time. Kumar Sanu there after provided many hit songs like- Sadak (Tumhe apna bana ne ki kasam khayi hai), Deewana (title song), Baazigar (title song, Kali kali ankhen), Saajan (Jeeye to jeeye kaise, Mera dil bhi kitna pagal hai), Pardes (Meri Mehbooba, Do dil mil rahe hain), and others. After persuing a brilliant singing career, he tried his luck in acting. He has playacted in a Bengali film and has also performed in both Bengali and Hindi television serials.
Humraaz, Yeh Dil Aapka Huwa (Pakistan), Karz, Dil Ka Rishta, Indian Babu, Ishq Vishk, Andaaz, Qayamat, Hungama and Footpath are some of his recent hits. He had also ventured into making music for Indian films. He produced a new Bollywood film, Utthaan. For his song Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyan from the film Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, in the year 2000 he was conferred the IIFA Best Male Playback Award.
