Kumar Sanu Better Jun 2026

Early in his career (and even now), the biggest criticism is that he sounded too much like Kishore Kumar. In films like Aashiqui (1990), he didn't yet have his own identity—he was a brilliant mimic. It took him until around 1993 ( Baazigar, Damini ) to carve out his own distinct, lower-pitched style. For purists, that first phase hurts his "originality" score.

Born in Kolkata into a musical family, Sanu received early training in vocal music and the tabla from his father, Pashupati Bhattacharya, a noted vocalist and composer. After completing a commerce degree, he began his career performing in local shows and restaurants under the name Shanu Bhattacharya. Kumar Sanu

While romantic ballads defined him, Kumar Sanu’s technical prowess shines in kaanas (difficult, fast-paced) songs. Tracks like Aankhon Mein Bandar Hai (Aankhen) and O Lal Dupatte Wali demonstrate his ability to navigate complex rhythmic cycles ( layakari ) without breaking a sweat. He never needed to "shout" to prove he was a great singer; his greatness lay in the seamless glide from a low whisper to a high-pitched crescendo. Early in his career (and even now), the

What followed was a blitzkrieg of melody that has no parallel: For purists, that first phase hurts his "originality" score

Kumar Sanu gained recognition in the 1980s, singing for Bengali films. His breakthrough came in 1990 with the song "Roop Tera Mastana" from the film "Aashiqui," which was a huge hit. This success opened doors for him in Bollywood, and he soon became a sought-after playback singer.