Legendary playback singer and actor Kishore Kumar was celebrated for his wit, humour, and unmatched musical talent. However, his son, Sumit Kumar, recently revealed that the iconic entertainer could also be extremely strict when it came to discipline.Speaking during his appearance on the music reality show Indian Idol, Sumit narrated a childhood incident that showed a completely different side of his father. Appearing alongside his mother, veteran actress Leena Chandavarkar, Sumit looked back on an unforgettable episode from a family trip to Washington. The incident took place while Kishore Kumar was away performing at a live concert. According to Sumit, he had been left in his elder brother’s hotel room while his parents attended the event.
Sumit Kumar opens up about the curiosity that led to the incident
Recalling the events, Sumit explained that he became curious after watching his elder brother receive drinks and cigarettes in the room. Having nothing else to do, he insisted on trying a cigarette himself.Sharing the memory, he said, “Washington mein show tha. Mummy bhi thi usmein. Main bhaiya ke saath room mein tha. Baba ka show tha aur Mummy unke saath gayi thi. Mujhe bhaiya ke room mein chhod diya tha. Shaam ko 8:30 baje ke baad drink, baraf aur smoke, yeh sab bhai ke room mein aa gaya. Mere paas kuch tha nahi karne ke liye. Main room mein baithkar bhaiya ko dekh raha thai, toh maine zidd karni shuru kar di, ‘Mujhe bhi chahiye... mujhe bhi cigarette chahiye.'” (There was a show in Washington. My mother was there too. I was staying in my elder brother’s room. My father had gone for his show, and my mother had accompanied him. I had been left behind in my brother’s room. After around 8:30 in the evening, drinks, ice, and cigarettes were brought to his room. I had nothing to do, so I just sat there watching my brother. Then I started insisting, ‘I want one too… I want a cigarette too.’)After repeatedly refusing, his brother eventually gave in to his demands. Sumit continued, “Bhaiya ek point ke baad tang aa gaye. Unhone bola, ‘Chal, le lo.’ Bas main aaine ke saamne bhaiya ko dekh-dekh raha hu aur cigarette phoonk raha ho.” (“After a point, my elder brother got fed up with my constant insistence. He finally said, ‘Alright, go ahead, have one.’ I stood in front of the mirror, watching him and trying to imitate him, puffing away on the cigarette.“)
Kishore Kumar walks in unexpectedly
The situation changed instantly when Kishore Kumar and Leena Chandavarkar unexpectedly returned to the hotel room. Sumit revealed that his father strongly disliked smoking and drinking, making the discovery even more shocking.Describing the moment, he said, “Achanak darwaaza khulta hai aur entry hoti hai Baba aur Mummy ki, and Baba really used to not like who would drink or smoke. Jaise hi woh room mein aaye, uske baad ka part mujhe bahut achhi tarah yaad hai. Usse pehle ka part toh dhundhla hai.” (“Suddenly, the door opened, and my father and mother walked into the room. My father absolutely disliked people who drank or smoked. The moment he entered the room, everything that happened after that is crystal clear in my memory. Everything before that is a blur.”)The sudden arrival caught everyone by surprise, and the atmosphere changed within seconds. According to Sumit, his father reacted with an explosive outburst that echoed throughout the hotel. He recalled that Kishore Kumar’s booming voice could be heard far beyond their room.Remembering the incident, Sumit said, “Jab unhone chillaya na, toh jo Kishore da ki awaaz aap gaane mein sunte ho, main aapko kasam se bolta hoon, hotel ke do floor upar aur do floor neeche tak awaaz gayi hogi. Aisa ek bang hogaya tha. Bahut buri haalat ho gayi thi.” (“When he shouted, I swear, the same powerful voice you hear in Kishore Da’s songs echoed through the hotel. I’m sure it could be heard two floors above and two floors below. It was like a thunderous blast. I was absolutely terrified.”)Looking back at the incident today, Sumit admitted that he was simply an innocent child who had copied what he saw around him. He said he did not fully understand the consequences at the time. He concluded, “Lekin main naadaan tha. Mujhe toh de di thi cigarette. Ismein meri bhi galti thi nahi.” (“But I was just an innocent child. Someone handed me the cigarette, so it wasn’t really my fault either.”)Kishore Kumar remains one of the most influential figures in Indian cinema. Beyond his legendary playback singing career, he excelled as an actor, composer, filmmaker, and producer.
