Sanu Kumar, widely known as Kumar Sanu, is a legendary Bollywood playback singer whose voice defined the 1990s. With a career spanning over four decades, he has sung more than 18,000 songs in multiple languages. His soulful voice, emotional depth, and unmatched versatility have earned him the title “Melody King of Bollywood.”
This blog post explores his biography, personal life, career, and achievements. It also highlights his top songs, controversies, and interesting facts. Whether you are a music lover or a fan of Bollywood entertainment, this post offers a deep dive into the life of one of India’s most iconic singers.
Early Life and Upbringing
Kumar Sanu was born as Kedarnath Bhattacharya on 20 October 1957 in Calcutta, West Bengal (now Kolkata). His father, Pashupati Bhattacharya, was a classical vocalist and composer. Music ran in the family, and young Sanu learned to play the tabla and piano early on.
He completed his education at Calcutta University and began singing in local shows and hotels. His early performances helped him build confidence and stage presence. In 1987, he moved to Mumbai to pursue a career in playback singing.
- Born in Kolkata, West Bengal
- Learned music from his father
- Played tabla and piano
- Studied at Calcutta University
- Sang in hotels before Bollywood debut
Personal Life – Age, Zodiac Sign
| Personal Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kedarnath Bhattacharya |
| Nickname | Sanu Daa |
| Alternative Names(s) | Kumar Sanu |
| Date of Birth | 20 October 1957 |
| Age (as of 2024) | 67 years |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Zodiac Sign | Libra |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Birthplace | Kolkata, West Bengal |
| Hometown | Kolkata, West Bengal |
| Current Address | Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| Education Qualification | Calcutta University |
| Hobbies and Interests | Singing, Composing, Reading |
| Languages Known | Hindi, Bengali, English |
| Social Media Profiles link | Facebook, Instagram, Twitter |
| Wikipedia Profile link | Wikipedia |
| IMDb Profile link | IMDb |
| Website link | N/A |
Physical Appearance – Height, Weight, Body Measurements
| Physical Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Body Type | Average build |
| Body Measurements | 42-36-38 |
| Height in feet, inches, cm | 5’11”, 180 cm |
| Weight in lbs, kg | 176 lbs, 80 kg |
| Chest | 42 inches |
| Waist | 36 inches |
| Biceps | 14 inches |
| Eye Colour | Brown |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Hairstyle | Short straight |
| Distinctive Features | Melodic voice, mustache |
| Tattoos | N/A |
Family and Relationships – Boyfriend/Husband, Affairs
Kumar Sanu has had a colorful personal life. He was first married to Rita Dutta in 1986, but they divorced in 1994. He later married Saloni Bhattacharya in 2001. He has children including Shannon K, a singer based in the United States, and Jaan Bhattacharya.
His brother Tapan Bhattacharya is also involved in music. Sanu keeps his personal life private but occasionally shares family moments on social media.
| Relationships Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse – Wife | Saloni Bhattacharya |
| Father | Pashupati Bhattacharya |
| Mother | Shubha Yagnik |
| Children | Shannon K, Jaan Bhattacharya |
| Siblings | Tapan Bhattacharya |
| Affairs – Girlfriend(s) | Kunika Sadanand |
| Significant Relationships | Kunika Sadanand |
Rise to Stardom
Kumar Sanu made his playback singing debut with the Bengali film Tin Kanya in 1986. His big break came in 1989 when he sang for the Bollywood film Hero Hiralal. The turning point was the film Aashiqui in 1990, where he sang all the songs composed by Nadeem-Shravan.
The album became a blockbuster and made Sanu a household name. He went on to sing for films like Saajan, Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin, Baazigar, and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. His voice became the romantic anthem of the 90s.
Sanu Kumar – Selfie
Sanu Kumar – Debut Album – Tera Mera Pyar
Sanu Kumar – Successful Album / Blockbuster Album – Tujhe Dekha To
Career, Awards, and Achievements
Kumar Sanu holds the Guinness World Record for recording 28 songs in a single day in 1993. He won the Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer for five consecutive years from 1990 to 1995. He was honored with the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 2009.
He has sung in Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, and other regional languages. His collaborations with music directors like Nadeem-Shravan, Anu Malik, and Jatin-Lalit created timeless hits.
- Guinness World Record holder
- Padma Shri recipient
- Over 18,000 songs recorded
- Worked with top music labels
- Judge on Indian Idol and other shows
| Career Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Profession(s) | Playback Singer |
| Debut Album | Tera Mera Pyar |
| Notable Songs | Dheere Dheere, Mera Dil Bhi Kitna, Ek Ladki Ko Dekha, Tujhe Dekha To |
| Recent Albums – New Albums | Melody King Collection, Sanu Classics |
| Upcoming Albums | Retro Rewind, Bollywood Nostalgia |
| Popular Movies | Aashiqui, 1942: A Love Story, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge |
| Awards and Achievements | Padma Shri, Filmfare Awards, Zee Real Heroes Award |
| Endorsements/Brand Collaborations | T-Series, Saregama, Sony Music |
| Philanthropy/Charity Work | Music Education, Cultural Events, Youth Mentorship |
| Professional Associations | Indian Music Guild, Playback Singers Union |
| Training and Education | Calcutta University |
| Production Company | N/A |
| Blockbuster Success – Hit Albums | Aashiqui, Sanu Hits, Melody King |
| Critical Acclaim Album | Aashiqui |
Assets and Finances – Net Worth
| Financial Profile | Information |
|---|---|
| Net Worth in Dollars | $9 million |
| Per Movie Charges in Dollars | $15K–$25K |
| Per Endorsement Charges in Dollars | $20K–$30K |
| Sponsorship Deals | T-Series, Saregama, Sony Music |
| Business Ventures | Live Shows, Music Licensing |
| Investments | Real Estate, Royalties |
| Real Estate Holdings | Mumbai Flat, Kolkata Property |
| Luxury Items/Properties Owned | Designer Wear, Studio Equipment |
| Cars Collection | BMW 5 Series, Toyota Fortuner |
Favorite Things, Likes, and Dislikes
| Favorite Things | Information |
|---|---|
| Favorite Actor | Amitabh Bachchan |
| Favorite Actress | Madhuri Dixit |
| Favorite Film | Aashiqui |
| Favorite Music Bands | Kishore Kumar Classics |
| Favorite Sport | Cricket |
| Favorite Books | Music Biographies |
| Favorite Colour | Blue |
| Favorite Food | Bengali Cuisine |
| Things s/he like | Singing, Composing, Reading |
| Things s/he dislike | Remixes, Loud Noise, Dishonesty |
Top 5 Best Songs – Sanu Kumar
| Song Name | Year of Release | Album/Movie Name |
|---|---|---|
| Tujhe Dekha To | 1995 | Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge |
| Mera Dil Bhi Kitna | 1991 | Saajan |
| Ek Ladki Ko Dekha | 1994 | 1942: A Love Story |
| Dheere Dheere | 1990 | Aashiqui |
| Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhen | 1993 | Baazigar |
Controversies – Sanu Kumar
- Remix Criticism: Spoke against modern remixes of classic songs.
- Bollywood Neglect: Claimed he receives respect but no work from Bollywood.
- Reality Show Remarks: Criticized contestants for lack of originality.
- Political Involvement: Briefly joined politics, faced backlash.
- Live Performance Incident: Sang on the day his father passed away, stirred emotional debate.
Interesting Facts – Sanu Kumar
- Recorded 28 songs in one day, a Guinness World Record.
- Known as Melody King of Bollywood.
- Sang in over 30 languages.
- Daughter Shannon K is a singer in Hollywood.
- Featured in Indian Idol as a judge.
- Sang in hotels before entering Bollywood.
Kumar Sanu, also known as Sanu Kumar, is a true legend in the world of Bollywood music. His voice has touched millions and continues to inspire new generations. From romantic hits to emotional ballads, his songs remain timeless.
