Kumar Sanu on Anu Malik's 90s genius: '14-15 versions on the spot'
Synopsis
Kumar Sanu's appearance on India's Best Dancer Season 5 turned into an impromptu tribute to Anu Malik's legendary spontaneity — the composer would reportedly reimagine a rejected song in 14-15 different versions on the spot until a producer relented. It's a rare window into the creative engine behind some of 90s Bollywood's most enduring music.
Key Takeaways
Kumar Sanu appeared on Sony Entertainment Television's 'India's Best Dancer Season 5' alongside composer Anu Malik .
Sanu recalled Malik's ability to perform a single song in 14–15 different versions instantly if a producer rejected it.
Sanu performed the evergreen 'Sambhala Hai Maine' from the 1994 film 'Naaraaz' live on stage.
Sanu described the song as 'difficult' and praised Malik's 90s contributions across multiple films, not just one track.
The episode, themed 'Great Grand Tashan' , also features contestant performances by Ritesh and Prateek ; airs every Saturday and Sunday .
Veteran playback singer Kumar Sanu revisited his celebrated creative partnership with composer Anu Malik during the 1990s, offering a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into how some of Hindi cinema's most beloved songs were made. The reminiscence came during Sanu's appearance on Sony Entertainment Television's 'India's Best Dancer Season 5', where both icons were featured as special guests for the 'Great Grand Tashan' episode.
The Spontaneity That Set Anu Malik Apart
Kumar Sanu described Malik's extraordinary ability to compose and perform on the fly as something he had never witnessed in any other musician. 'Inke jitna instant koi gaana nahi bana sakta, maine dekha nahi hain. Agar ek gaana producer ko pasand nahi aata tha, toh ussi samay uss gaane ko 14-15 kisam mein gaake sunate the. Toh aap pasand karne pe majboor ho jaoge itna acha gaate hain,' Sanu said — meaning, 'I haven't seen anyone create songs as instantly as he does. If a producer didn't like a song, he would sing it in 14–15 different ways right then and there. He sings so beautifully that eventually, you are bound to like one of them.'
This kind of improvisational fluency, Sanu suggested, was not merely a technical skill but a defining characteristic that shaped the sound of an entire decade in Bollywood music.
A Live Performance and a Nostalgic Moment
Moved by the conversation, host Haarsh Limbachiyaa invited Kumar Sanu to perform on stage. Anu Malik enthusiastically egged him on, saying 'Dada, gaana toh banta hain!' Sanu then delivered a soulful rendition of the evergreen classic 'Sambhala Hai Maine' from the 1994 film 'Naaraaz' — one of the many memorable tracks the two created together during their peak years.
Sanu's Tribute to a Decade of Musical Contribution
After his performance, Sanu reflected further on Malik's legacy: 'Aap sochiye, iss tarah ka contribution uss samay 90s ke daur mein inhone bhar bhar ke diya hain, khali ek nahi, iss tarah ke kai gaano mein. This is not a very easy song; yeh ek kathin gaana hain' — translating to, 'Just think about the kind of contribution he made during the 90s. He gave so much to music, not just through one song, but through many such tracks. This is not an easy song to sing; it is a difficult one.'
The tribute underscores how the Sanu–Malik pairing was among the most prolific of the era, producing chart-toppers across multiple films throughout the decade.
About the Episode
The upcoming episode of 'India's Best Dancer Season 5' on Sony Entertainment Television is themed 'India Wala Dance' and will feature stellar performances by contestants Ritesh and Prateek. The show airs every Saturday and Sunday on Sony Entertainment Television, with the special episode set to bring a wave of nostalgia for fans of 90s Bollywood music.
Point of View
Studio-floor spontaneity of the analogue 90s produced songs that have outlasted the era's technology by decades. Today's Bollywood music pipeline, driven by streaming metrics and committee approvals, rarely allows a composer the freedom to pitch 14 versions of a song on the spot. Whether that loss of creative latitude explains why fewer tracks from the last decade carry the same recall value is a question the industry has not seriously asked itself.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Kumar Sanu say about Anu Malik on India's Best Dancer Season 5?
Kumar Sanu praised Anu Malik's extraordinary spontaneity, saying he had never seen anyone compose and perform songs as instantly as Malik could. He recalled that if a producer rejected a song, Malik would immediately sing it in 14–15 different versions until the producer was won over.
Which song did Kumar Sanu perform on India's Best Dancer Season 5?
Kumar Sanu performed 'Sambhala Hai Maine,' the evergreen track from the 1994 Hindi film 'Naaraaz,' which was composed by Anu Malik. He described the song as a difficult one to sing and used it to illustrate Malik's contribution to 90s Bollywood music.
When does the special episode of India's Best Dancer Season 5 featuring Kumar Sanu and Anu Malik air?
The episode, themed 'Great Grand Tashan' under the broader 'India Wala Dance' theme, is set to air on Sony Entertainment Television. The show runs every Saturday and Sunday.
Why is the Kumar Sanu and Anu Malik collaboration considered iconic?
Their partnership during the 1990s produced numerous chart-topping Bollywood songs across multiple films. Sanu has described Malik's compositional instinct as unmatched, noting that his ability to adapt and reimagine music in real time set their work apart from contemporaries.
Who are the contestants performing in the featured episode of India's Best Dancer Season 5?
Contestants Ritesh and Prateek are set to deliver featured dance performances in the 'Great Grand Tashan' episode of India's Best Dancer Season 5 on Sony Entertainment Television.
