Jackie Shroff pays tribute to Ashok Kumar, Kishore Kumar on Oct 13 anniversaries
Synopsis
On 13 October, Jackie Shroff quietly surfaced one of Indian cinema's most poignant coincidences: Kishore Kumar died on the very birthday of his elder brother Ashok Kumar — and Ashok reportedly never celebrated that day again. Thirty-nine years after Kishore's death and 115 years after Ashok's birth, the Ganguly brothers' shared anniversary remains a moment the film world pauses for.
Key Takeaways
Jackie Shroff shared tribute posts on 13 October 2026 for both Ashok Kumar (115th birth anniversary) and Kishore Kumar (39th death anniversary).
Ashok Kumar , born Kumudlal Ganguly on 13 October 1911 , won the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1988 and the Padma Bhushan in 1999 .
Kishore Kumar , born Abhas Kumar Ganguly on 4 August 1929 , died on 13 October 1987 — Ashok Kumar's 76th birthday — following a heart attack, aged 58 .
Ashok Kumar reportedly stopped celebrating his birthday after Kishore's death and passed away on 10 December 2001 at age 90 .
Jackie's posts featured the songs 'Dheere Dheere Aa Re Badal' (Kismet, 1943) and 'Khwab Ho Tum Ya Koi Haqeeqat' (Teen Devian, 1964) respectively.
Veteran actor Jackie Shroff on Monday, 13 October paid heartfelt tributes to two legendary brothers of Indian cinema — Ashok Kumar, on his 115th birth anniversary, and Kishore Kumar, on the 39th death anniversary of the iconic singer-actor. Both anniversaries fall on the same date, a poignant coincidence that Jackie marked through separate social media posts.
Jackie's tribute posts
Taking to his social media account, Jackie shared distinct montages honouring each legend. For Ashok Kumar — fondly remembered as 'Dada Moni' — he posted a black-and-white picture montage showcasing the veteran actor across different looks from his storied career. The montage was set to the song 'Dheere Dheere Aa Re Badal' from the 1943 film Kismet. Jackie captioned the post: 'Fondly remembering Ashok Kumar ji on his birth anniversary.'
For Kishore Kumar, Jackie shared a black-and-white portrait of the singer-actor, accompanied by the song 'Khwab Ho Tum Ya Koi Haqeeqat' — Kishore Kumar's beloved number from the 1964 film Teen Devian, composed by S. D. Burman with lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri.
Ashok Kumar: From laboratory assistant to Dadasaheb Phalke laureate
Born Kumudlal Ganguly on 13 October 1911 in India, Ashok Kumar reportedly began his association with Bombay Talkies as a laboratory assistant before making his acting debut in Jeevan Naiya in 1936. He went on to become one of Hindi cinema's defining stars, with landmark films including Achhut Kanya, Kismet, Mahal, Parineeta, Bandini, Howrah Bridge, Jewel Thief, Victoria No. 203, and Aashirwad to his name.
He was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1988 and the Padma Bhushan in 1999, recognising his extraordinary contribution to Indian cinema. He passed away on 10 December 2001, aged 90, at his residence in Chembur, Mumbai.
Kishore Kumar: A multifaceted genius
Born Abhas Kumar Ganguly on 4 August 1929, Kishore Kumar was a rare creative force who excelled as a playback singer, actor, music composer, lyricist, and filmmaker. His distinctive voice, versatility, and playful singing style produced an enduring catalogue of evergreen songs, among them 'Roop Tera Mastana', 'Mere Sapno Ki Rani', 'Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana', and 'Khwab Ho Tum Ya Koi Haqeeqat'. On the acting front, he starred memorably in films such as Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi, Half Ticket, Padosan, and Jhumroo.
A heartbreaking coincidence
Kishore Kumar passed away on 13 October 1987 following a heart attack in Mumbai, aged 58 — the very day his elder brother Ashok Kumar turned 76. The loss reportedly shattered Ashok Kumar; according to accounts from those close to him, he never celebrated his birthday again after that day. The dual anniversary serves as an annual reminder of a bond between two brothers that defined an era of Indian cinema.
Jackie Shroff's tribute underscores how deeply the legacies of the Ganguly brothers continue to resonate with the generations of artists who followed them.
Point of View
And Ashok quietly erasing that day from his calendar for the rest of his life. What mainstream coverage of such anniversary posts often misses is the human dimension: the poignancy of a shared date that became both a celebration and a wound. In an era when social media tributes can feel formulaic, Jackie's choice of specific songs — not hits but deeply personal picks — signals genuine curatorial intent rather than routine commemoration.
NationPress
13 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 13 October significant for both Ashok Kumar and Kishore Kumar?
13 October is Ashok Kumar's birth anniversary — he was born on this date in 1911 — and also the date on which his younger brother Kishore Kumar died in 1987. The coincidence means both milestones are observed on the same day every year.
How did Jackie Shroff pay tribute to Ashok Kumar and Kishore Kumar?
Jackie Shroff shared separate social media montages for each legend. The Ashok Kumar post featured a black-and-white picture montage set to 'Dheere Dheere Aa Re Badal' from the 1943 film Kismet, while the Kishore Kumar post featured his song 'Khwab Ho Tum Ya Koi Haqeeqat' from the 1964 film Teen Devian.
What are Ashok Kumar's most notable achievements?
Ashok Kumar was one of Hindi cinema's biggest stars, known for films such as Kismet, Mahal, Bandini, and Aashirwad. He received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1988 and the Padma Bhushan in 1999 for his lifetime contribution to Indian cinema.
How did Kishore Kumar die, and how old was he?
Kishore Kumar died on 13 October 1987 in Mumbai following a heart attack. He was 58 years old at the time of his death.
How were Ashok Kumar and Kishore Kumar related?
Ashok Kumar and Kishore Kumar were brothers, both born into the Ganguly family. Ashok Kumar, born Kumudlal Ganguly, was the elder brother, while Kishore Kumar, born Abhas Kumar Ganguly, was younger by about 18 years.
