Legendary playback singer of the 90s Sanu Kumar has opened up about a terrifying experience in his career, revealing he once felt “terrified” for his safety after being forced to perform at a Dubai party hosted by an underworld woman. According to Sanu, he had no choice but to go ahead with the performance. Reflecting on a time when the underworld significantly dominated the Hindi film industry, he admitted that the situation actually made him fear for his life.
Kumar Sanu remembers fearing for his life
Speaking on Subhojit Ghosh’s podcast, Sanu admitted, “Darr toh laga tha. Kyunki us samay kuch chal raha tha — aisa ek system tha,” (“I was scared. Because at that time something was happening, there was such a system”). The host responded by pointing to the backdrop of that time, noting, “Gulshan Kumar was shot dead at that time.”
Kumar Sanu on Navigating a Dangerous Path
Reflecting on this disturbing chapter, Kumar described witnessing first-hand several alarming incidents, which kept him on edge. Still, he said he would try to push through tense situations, even though there was often a price, he would be asked to perform at a specific gig, which he would simply agree to as he felt he had no real choice. Interestingly, he recalled that some of these figures eventually grew fond of each other, even laughingly offering to step in and deal with anyone who bothered him. His answer, he said, was always the same: “mujhe dekhne ki zaroorat nahi hai, main khud ka dekh lunga” (“You don’t need to take care of me; I can take care of myself.”
Kumar Sanu’s legal battle for his identity
The singer had approached the Delhi High Court last year, she filed for legal protection over her personality and publicity rights, covering her name, voice and distinctive vocal style. The petition will come up before Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora on Monday. Among the elements that Sanu wants to protect are his vocal arrangements and performances, singing mannerisms, images, caricatures, photographs, likeness and signature. He further urged the court to prevent third parties from exploiting these attributes without authorization or license, particularly in ways that might confuse, mislead or dilute his public identity.
Kumar Sanu’s lawsuit cites violation of moral rights
The suit, filed by lawyers Shikha Sachdeva and Sana Raees Khan, also raises the issue of violation of Sanu’s moral rights in his performances as protected under the provisions of the Copyright Act.
Kumar Sanu’s decades-long musical legacy
Kumar Sanu has a career spanning several decades, marked by an impressive body of work. Some of his most memorable tracks include ‘Ek Sanam Chahiye’ and ‘Dil Ka Aalam’, both from ‘Aashiqui’ (1990), along with ‘Dheere Dheere Se Meri Zindagi Mein Aana’ from the same film. He has also lent his voice to hits like ‘Chura Ke Dil Mera’ from ‘Main Khiladi Tu Anari’ (1994) and ‘Tujhe Dekha To from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ (1995).