Kishore Kumar’s legacy is a maze of brilliance, mischief, and moments that have now become folklore in Hindi cinema. The industry remembers him as a once-in-a-generation talent whose career stretched across acting, playback singing, songwriting, composing, and direction.
Despite never receiving formal training in music, his voice became one of the most distinctive sounds of Indian cinema. His effortless transitions between romance, comedy, and melancholy turned him into one of Bollywood’s greatest playback legends.
Alongside that genius was a famously eccentric personality. Kishore Kumar’s unpredictability and humour made him unforgettable, but they also occasionally led to chaos on film sets.
One such incident occurred during the filming of the 1955 MV Raman-directed Pehli Jhalak, involving Kishore and the formidable actor Pran.
The two were shooting a fight sequence that required Pran to land punches on Kishore Kumar.
The scene should have been routine, but Kishore turned it into a comic circus.
Each time Pran swung his fist, instead of acting hurt, Kishore would burst out laughing. His inability to stay serious threw the entire shoot off track.
After 12 to 14 retakes, the crew had lost patience. MV Raman, exasperated and unsure how to salvage the moment, needed a solution.
After thinking it through, Raman gave Pran a rather drastic instruction: deliver one real punch to Kishore to provoke a genuine reaction. Pran was hesitant, but he trusted his director.
During the next take, he landed a true blow. Kishore was caught off-guard, and for the first time, the director got the exact expression he needed. The scene was finally completed. What could have been a disaster became a strange but memorable slice of Bollywood history.
Pehli Jhalak went on to become a success, with audiences praising Kishore’s vibrant and humorous performance. Despite the hiccup, Kishore and Pran remained professionally cordial. The moment became one of those behind-the-scenes stories that only strengthen the myth around Kishore’s larger-than-life personality.
Also Read: When Amitabh Bachchan recalled how he went to Sholay set with Dharmendra by autorickshaw
Off-screen, Kishore was far more complex than the entertainer people adored. His first marriage to Ruma Guha Thakurta ended in separation, and subsequent marriages also struggled to bring him lasting peace until he married Leena Chandavarkar. His personal life carried long spells of solitude that contrasted sharply with the exuberant roles he played on screen.
Professionally too, he faced setbacks. During the Emergency, Kishore refused to sing in support of Indira Gandhi’s 20-point programme. In retaliation, then Information and Broadcasting Minister VC Shukla banned his songs from All India Radio, a move that severely impacted his career. Yet Kishore persisted, continuing to enchant the world with his voice and spirit.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
