Amitabh Bachchan recalls Kishore Kumar mistaking him for son Amit Kumar
Synopsis
Amitabh Bachchan's on-air recall of Kishore Kumar mistaking him for son Amit Kumar is more than a charming anecdote — it opens a window into an era of Hindi cinema where giants shared studios and living rooms. Add Khandwa's tradition of whispering 'Kishore' into newborns' ears, and the legend's reach feels less like nostalgia and more like a living inheritance.
Key Takeaways
Amitabh Bachchan shared that Kishore Kumar once mistook him for his son Amit Kumar during a phone call when Big B introduced himself as 'Amit'.
Kishore Kumar invited Bachchan to his home and showed him a world-spanning collection of video cassettes , reflecting his passion for the medium.
Contestant Virendra Jaiswal from Khandwa described how the city celebrates Kishore Kumar's birthday on 4 August with karaoke at every street corner.
In Khandwa, the first word traditionally whispered into a newborn's ear is 'Kishore' , honouring the legendary singer's enduring legacy.
Kishore Kumar's career spanned nearly four decades across singing, acting, composing, and writing.
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has shared a warm and amusing memory of his interactions with the legendary singer Kishore Kumar, revealing that the late artiste once mistook him for his own son, singer Amit Kumar, during a phone call. The anecdote surfaced in an upcoming episode of a reality show, offering fans a rare personal glimpse into the bond between two of Hindi cinema's most iconic figures.
The Phone Call Mix-Up
Bachchan recounted that when he introduced himself on a call by saying 'Main Amit bol raha hoon' (This is Amit speaking), Kishore Kumar immediately assumed he was speaking with his son, Amit Kumar. The moment, shared with characteristic warmth by Big B, drew laughter and nostalgia in equal measure, underscoring the informal, affectionate relationship the two shared.
Kishore Kumar's VCR Collection and Generosity
Bachchan also recalled being invited to Kishore Kumar's home, where the legendary singer proudly displayed his extensive collection of video cassettes — a prized hobby in an era when home video was still a novelty. In his own words, Bachchan described Kishore Kumar as 'bohot dildaar insaan' — a very generous and warm-hearted person — who would always greet him with great affection during their meetings in recording studios and elsewhere. He noted that Kishore Kumar had collected cassettes from across the world, reflecting both his curiosity and his passion for the medium.
Khandwa's Living Tribute to Kishore Kumar
The episode also featured contestant Virendra Jaiswal, who hails from Khandwa in Madhya Pradesh — Kishore Kumar's hometown. Jaiswal described how Khandwa transforms every year on 4 August, Kishore Kumar's birthday, with karaoke stations set up at every street corner, inviting anyone to sing the legend's songs. He added that in Khandwa, the first word whispered into a newborn's ear is 'Kishore' — a tradition that speaks to the depth of the city's reverence for its most famous son. Jaiswal noted that Kishore Kumar himself deeply loved Khandwa in return.
A Career That Spanned Four Decades
Kishore Kumar's association with the Hindi film industry spanned nearly four decades, during which he established himself not only as a playback singer but also as an actor, composer, and writer. His catalogue includes timeless numbers such as Chala Jaata Hoon, Neele Neele Ambar Par, Mere Sapnon Ki Rani, and Mere Saamne Wali Khidki Mein, songs that continue to resonate with audiences across generations.
Bachchan's reminiscences serve as a reminder of a golden era in Indian entertainment, when towering personalities shared studios, homes, and a camaraderie that rarely makes it to the public record.
Point of View
It is practising cultural continuity. That kind of grassroots canonisation is something no music award or chart position can manufacture.
NationPress
25 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Kishore Kumar mistake Amitabh Bachchan for his son Amit Kumar?
Kishore Kumar mistook Amitabh Bachchan for his son Amit Kumar because Bachchan introduced himself on a phone call simply as 'Amit' — a name shared with Kishore Kumar's son, singer Amit Kumar. The mix-up, recalled by Bachchan on a reality show, reflects the informal closeness the two shared.
What was Kishore Kumar's video cassette collection about?
Kishore Kumar had a passion for collecting video cassettes from across the world, which he proudly showed Amitabh Bachchan during a visit to his home. Bachchan described the collection as spanning cassettes from virtually every part of the world, reflecting Kishore Kumar's wide-ranging curiosity.
How does Khandwa celebrate Kishore Kumar's birthday?
Khandwa, Kishore Kumar's hometown in Madhya Pradesh, celebrates his birthday on 4 August with karaoke stations set up at street corners across the city, where anyone can walk in and sing his songs. According to locals, the entire city becomes 'Kishore-themed' on that day.
What is the tradition of saying 'Kishore' to newborns in Khandwa?
In Khandwa, it is a local tradition to whisper the word 'Kishore' into a newborn's ear as the very first word they hear, honouring the legendary singer's deep bond with the city. Contestant Virendra Jaiswal mentioned this tradition on the reality show, noting that Kishore Kumar himself loved Khandwa deeply.
What were some of Kishore Kumar's most iconic songs?
Kishore Kumar delivered some of Bollywood's most enduring tracks, including Chala Jaata Hoon, Neele Neele Ambar Par, Mere Sapnon Ki Rani, and Mere Saamne Wali Khidki Mein. His career as a singer, actor, composer, and writer spanned nearly four decades.
