Veteran singer Kumar Sanu broke down emotionally on stage while expressing concern over the deteriorating health of his longtime singing partner Alka Yagnik, who has been battling a rare sensory neural nerve hearing loss condition. Speaking during the taping of an upcoming episode of 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa 2026' — which celebrates his 69th birthday — Sanu paid a heartfelt tribute to Yagnik, voicing his hope that she recovers and returns to the stage.

Sanu's Emotional Tribute on Stage

The emotional moment was triggered when contestant Geetashree's rendition of a classic duet reminded Sanu of the songs he and Yagnik had recorded together over the decades. He said, 'As many of you know, Alka ji is not keeping well, and that makes me very emotional. Some of the most romantic songs of my career have been with Alka ji, and her brilliance as a singer needs no introduction. I sincerely hope she recovers soon and returns to join us in front of all of you once again.'

He further added, 'It truly saddens me to know that she is unwell. Through this performance, I would like to pay tribute to her by singing a few lines of this song, with the hope that she gets well soon and we get to hear her magical voice again.' Sanu then sang a few lines from the song as a personal tribute to his longtime partner.

Over 500 Duets and a Shared Musical Legacy

Kumar Sanu and Alka Yagnik have collaborated on more than 500 duets, making them one of the most iconic vocal partnerships in Hindi film music history. Their voices defined the romantic soundscape of Bollywood through the 1990s and early 2000s. Sanu recalled the beautiful musical moments they shared while recording those songs, noting that the memories remain deeply personal to him.

Alka Yagnik's Rare Hearing Condition

Yagnik first disclosed her diagnosis publicly nearly two years ago in a social media post, revealing that she had been struck by a rare sensory neural nerve hearing loss following a viral attack. She described the episode in her own words: 'A few weeks ago, as I walked out of a flight, I suddenly felt I was not able to hear anything... It has been diagnosed by my docs as a rare sensory neural nerve hearing loss, due to a viral attack... This sudden, major setback has caught me completely unawares.'

The condition, which affects the inner ear's nerve pathways, has no widely available cure and can result in permanent hearing impairment. It has kept the singer away from active performances and public appearances.

Padma Bhushan Amid Personal Adversity

Despite her health challenges, Alka Yagnik received the prestigious Padma Bhushan — one of India's highest civilian honours — from President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on 23 June. Accepting the honour, she wrote: 'Today, as I stepped out to receive one of the highest civilian honours in the country — the distinguished Padma Bhushan, I did so with a heart full of gratitude. This honour is deeply humbling, and while my name may be on it, it belongs just as much to every listener who welcomed my voice into their lives.'

The award was widely seen as a recognition not just of her career but of her resilience in the face of her illness.

What Comes Next

The special episode of 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa 2026' featuring Kumar Sanu's birthday tribute is expected to air shortly. Fans and the broader music fraternity continue to wish Alka Yagnik a full recovery, with many hoping she will eventually return to recording and live performances — a prospect Sanu described as one he holds close to his heart.