Jackie Shroff honours S.P. Balasubrahmanyam on seventh death anniversary
Synopsis
Seven years after his passing, S.P. Balasubrahmanyam's legacy refuses to fade. Jackie Shroff's tribute — anchored by the deeply personal choice of 'Hum Na Samjhe The' from their shared film Gardish — is a reminder that SPB's voice was not just a soundtrack to Bollywood's golden era but a thread woven into the personal memories of those who worked closest with him.
Key Takeaways
Jackie Shroff paid tribute to S.P.
Balasubrahmanyam on his seventh death anniversary on 25 September 2026 .
Shroff shared a studio photograph of SPB with the caption 'Always in our hearts!
June 4, 1946 and September 25, 2020.' He chose 'Hum Na Samjhe The' from the 1993 film Gardish as the background music for the post.
Balasubrahmanyam passed away on 25 September 2020 at age 74 due to Covid-19 complications.
SPB won the National Film Award six times and was posthumously awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2021 .
His career spanned over five decades across multiple Indian languages, including iconic playback work for Salman Khan .
Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff on 25 September 2026 paid a moving tribute to legendary playback singer S.P. Balasubrahmanyam on the seventh anniversary of his passing, sharing a heartfelt post on social media that resonated with fans of the iconic voice across India.
The Tribute
Shroff shared a photograph of S.P. Balasubrahmanyam — affectionately known as SPB — captured mid-session at a recording studio, accompanying it with the words: 'Always in our hearts! June 4, 1946 and September 25, 2020.' For the background score of the post, Shroff chose 'Hum Na Samjhe The', the soulful number SPB had lent his voice to for the 1993 film Gardish, in which Shroff had starred alongside Dimple Kapadia. The personal selection added an intimate layer to the tribute, underscoring the bond between the actor and the singer.
A Career That Spanned Continents and Languages
S.P. Balasubrahmanyam passed away on 25 September 2020 at the age of 74 following complications arising from Covid-19. His career stretched across more than five decades, during which he recorded thousands of songs in multiple Indian languages, making him one of the most prolific voices in the history of Indian music. His contribution extended well beyond playback singing — SPB also worked as an actor, music composer, dubbing artiste, television presenter, and film producer.
The Iconic Voice of a Bollywood Era
In Hindi cinema, SPB became particularly celebrated during the late 1980s and 1990s as the playback voice of actor Salman Khan. Films including Maine Pyar Kiya, Saajan, Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!, and Hum Saath-Saath Hain featured his voice in songs that went on to define a generation. His memorable titles include 'Dil Deewana' and 'Aate Jaate Hanste Gaate' from Maine Pyar Kiya, 'Tumse Milne Ki Tamanna Hai' from Saajan, 'Pehla Pehla Pyar' from Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!, 'Yeh Haseen Wadiyan' from Roja, 'Hum Bane Tum Bane' and 'Tere Mere Beech Mein' from Ek Duuje Ke Liye, 'Sach Mere Yaar Hai' from Saagar, and 'O Priya Priya' from Dil.
Accolades and Legacy
SPB was honoured with the National Film Award on six occasions, the Padma Shri in 2001, and the Padma Bhushan in 2011. Posthumously, he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2021, the third-highest civilian honour in India. Seven years on, tributes from across the film and music fraternity continue to mark each anniversary of his passing, reflecting the enduring depth of his cultural imprint.
Point of View
SPB's absence is still felt most acutely not in grand institutional commemorations but in these individual, quietly specific acts of remembrance. For all the posthumous state honours, it is the singers and actors from those recording studios who carry the most authentic memory of what SPB meant to Indian cinema.
NationPress
25 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 25 September significant for S.P. Balasubrahmanyam?
S.P. Balasubrahmanyam passed away on 25 September 2020 at the age of 74 following complications from Covid-19, making this date his death anniversary. Each year, fans and colleagues from the film fraternity mark the day with tributes.
What did Jackie Shroff post for SPB's seventh death anniversary?
Jackie Shroff shared a photograph of S.P. Balasubrahmanyam at a recording studio, with the caption 'Always in our hearts! June 4, 1946 and September 25, 2020.' He accompanied the post with 'Hum Na Samjhe The', a song SPB sang for their 1993 film Gardish.
What awards did S.P. Balasubrahmanyam receive during his lifetime and posthumously?
SPB won the National Film Award six times and was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2001 and the Padma Bhushan in 2011. He was posthumously awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's third-highest civilian honour, in 2021.
Which Bollywood films is S.P. Balasubrahmanyam best remembered for?
SPB is widely remembered as the playback voice of Salman Khan in films such as Maine Pyar Kiya, Saajan, Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!, and Hum Saath-Saath Hain. Songs like 'Dil Deewana', 'Pehla Pehla Pyar', and 'Tumse Milne Ki Tamanna Hai' remain enduring classics.
What was the scope of S.P. Balasubrahmanyam's career beyond playback singing?
Beyond his celebrated playback career spanning over five decades and thousands of songs across multiple Indian languages, SPB also worked as an actor, music composer, dubbing artiste, television presenter, and film producer.
