Kishore Kumar’s entry into the film industry coincided with a landscape dominated by established singers. The competition was fierce, but he was determined to forge his own identity. Early in his career, he played comedic roles and his singing wasn’t always taken seriously. This changed with the release of the song ‘Dukhi Man Mere’ from the 1956 film ‘Funtoosh.’ This led to opportunities to sing for Dev Anand. His career soared with ‘Roop Tera Mastana’ from the film ‘Aradhana,’ which made him a household name. The yodeling in ‘Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana’ further solidified his popularity. His brothers, Ashok Kumar and Anoop Kumar, provided initial support in the film industry. The brothers encouraged him to pursue acting, and he did, but his singing soon overshadowed his acting. Though often perceived to have gained prominence after the deaths of Mukesh and Rafi, Kishore Kumar was already a successful playback singer. He had sung hits for Dev Anand, Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan, and others, demonstrating his wide appeal. His collaborations included songs with Mohammed Rafi, and the iconic song in Amar Akbar Anthony.
