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Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Amit Kumar reveals Kishore Kumar was asked to pay a bribe by someone in the Ministry in exchange for a National Award: ‘He was told, give something, we'll nominate you'
Kishore Kumar 's legacy as one of India's most iconic and versatile playback singers is undisputed. But what continues to baffle fans and music lovers is the fact that the legendary artist never received a National Film Award. In a recent interview, his son and fellow singer Amit Kumar shed light on a shocking reason behind this: Kishore was once asked to pay a bribe in exchange for an award nomination. During a conversation with Vickey Lalwani, Amit Kumar confirmed that his father came close to winning a National Award for his directorial venture Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein in 1964. The film, a commercial and critical success, marked a turning point in Kishore Kumar's career after his acting projects began faltering. Revealing the behind-the-scenes politics, Amit said, 'Yes, that happened. He got a call from Delhi from someone in the Ministry. At that time, Haqeeqat, Dosti, and Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein were being considered (for the National Award). They told my father, 'If you do something, give something, then we can get you nominated.' My father was like, 'Why are you after my life? My film is a hit.'' Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein, which featured both Kishore and a young Amit Kumar in key roles, was an Indian adaptation of the 1958 Hollywood film The Proud Rebel. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 40대 이상이고 PC가 있으세요? 그럼 이 게임을 정말 좋아하실 거예요! Sea of Conquest 플레이하기 Undo The Hindi version struck gold at the box office, especially in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, where it enjoyed a silver jubilee run. Ironically, while the Hindi version didn't win the National Award, its Tamil remake Ramu, made by a filmmaker to whom Kishore sold the rights, went on to win the prestigious honour. Kishore Kumar's Son Amit Kumar Opens Up On Leena Chandavarkar, Madhubala, Lataji, Bappida | #BigInterview 'The film ran for 23 weeks at Super Cinema. In Delhi-UP, the film was a silver jubilee. Then he sold the rights to a Tamil filmmaker. The remake was called Ramu. That won the National Award,' Amit added, highlighting the bitter irony. Though best known for his soulful voice and unique singing style, Kishore Kumar was also a passionate filmmaker. He directed 12 films in his career, out of which eight were released and four remained incomplete. His final directorial, Mamta Ki Chhaon Mein, considered a spiritual sequel to Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein, was released posthumously in 1990 and featured Amit Kumar, Ashok Kumar, Rajesh Khanna, and Leena Chandavarkar . Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Kishore Kumar refused to pay bribe to 'someone in ministry' for National Award, reveals son Amit Kumar
It is no exaggeration to call Kishore Kumar one of the most iconic and successful singers in Indian entertainment history. Ironically enough, despite being considered one of the finest playback singers in Indian cinema, Kishore never won a National Film Award. In a recent interview, his son and singer Amit Kumar revealed that the late singer did once come close to a National Award win, but was deterred by the demand for a bribe. In the 1960s, after Kishore's films as an actor began flopping, he turned director with Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein, which also starred Amit alongside him. The film was released in 1964 and was a stupendous box office success. At the time, it was reported that the film was being considered for the National Awards. In an interview with Vickey Lalwani, Amit confirmed this. When asked if there was an offer of a bribe as had been reported, Amit replied, "Yes, that happened. He got a call from Delhi from someone in the Ministry. At that time, Haqeeqat, Dosti, and Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein were being considered (for the National Award). They told my father, 'If you do something, give something, then we can get you nominated.' My father was like, 'Why are you after my life? My film is a hit.'' Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein, an adaptation of the American film The Proud Rebel, was a critical and commercial success. It was later remade in Tamil as Ramu, in Telugu as Ramu as well, and in Malayalam as Babumon. Noting an irony, Amit recalled, "The film ran for 23 weeks at Super Cinema. In Delhi-UP, the film was a silver jubilee. Then he sold the rights to a Tamil filmmaker. The remake was called Ramu. That won the National Award." While largely known as a singer, Kishore directed 12 films, of which 8 found release and 4 were abandoned. His final directorial, Mamta Ki Chhaon Mein, was a spiritual sequel to Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein. Starring Amit Kumar, Ashok Kumar, Rajesh Khanna and Leena Chandavarkar, it was released in 1990, three years after Kishore's death.
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Kishore Kumar refused to give bribe to get National Award nomination, recalls son Amit: ‘The remake of his film in Tamil won the award'
Actor, singer, and filmmaker Kishore Kumar's legacy in Hindi cinema is unparalleled. Despite leaving an indelible mark that inspired generations, the all-rounder of Hindi cinema never received a National Award. In a recent interaction, his son Amit Kumar spoke about an incident that took place after the release of Kishore Kumar's film Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein, when the legendary artist was asked for a bribe in exchange for a National Award nomination. What followed reflected Kishore Kumar's strong principles. In a recent conversation with Vickey Lalwani, Amit admitted that there was buzz around Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein being considered for a National Award. 'Yes, the film was recommended for National Awards.' When asked whether Kishore Kumar was asked for a bribe just to get nominated, Amit shared, 'Somebody from the Ministry in Delhi had called my father. At that time, films like Haqeeqat, Dosti and Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein were being considered. They told my father, 'If you give something then we can get you nominated.' My father was like, 'Why are you after my life? My film is a hit.'' Amit revealed that the film ran for 23 weeks at Super Cinema (a theatre) in Mumbai and also celebrated a silver jubilee in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. However, when the box office collections began to dip slightly after the 23rd week, the film's distributor, Hiranandani, urged Kishore Kumar to consider giving in to the bribe demand, arguing that a nomination would generate more buzz. But the actor-filmmaker firmly refused. Recalling his father's reaction, Amit said, 'He said, 'Chalo hatao. This film gave me a lot of trouble. It already took 4 years to make this.'' He added that the film was a success primarily due to strong word of mouth. Amit also revealed the biggest irony — Kishore Kumar had sold the rights of the film, and it was later remade in Tamil as Ramu, starring Gemini Ganesan. That version went on to win the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil. Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein was directed, written, and produced by Kishore Kumar. He also played the lead role in the film. The movie starred veteran actress Supriya Devi and a young Amit Kumar. It was an adaptation of the American film The Proud Rebel.
Express Tribune
17-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Pakistani cinemas shutting down at an alarming rate
Kaabil was the first Indian film to release in Pakistan after a months-long ban in 2017. photo: file An estimated 40 per cent of screens across Pakistani cinemas have shut down since 2018. According to a document provided by exhibitor Nadeem Mandviwalla, 58 screens across 36 cinemas have been closed, with nine more screens temporarily shut down lately. The cinemas that have halted operations include Lahore's Cinestar – ATC, PAF Cinema, Imperial Cinemas, Shabistan Cinema, Prince Cinema, Plaza Cinema, Super Cinema – Royal Palms, Super Cinema – Vogue Tower, Bahria Cinegold Orchard, Sozo World, Cinepax Lake City, Gulistan Cinema and Luxus Grand. In Karachi, Atrium Cinemas, Capri Cinema, Bambino Cinema and Mega Multiplex have been unfunctional whereas Cinemoosh, Bambino and Cinepax have ceased operations in Hyderabad. Meanwhile, Ciros and Odeon in Rawalpindi, Noor Mahal, Cine-One and Sabina Cinema in Faisalabad, Cinestar and Rex Multiplex in Multan, Cine Mehfil Cinema and Parwana Cinema in Sialkot, PAF Cinema and Khayyam Cinema in Sargodha, Marian Cinema in Sahiwal, Naz Cinema in Peshawar, Arts Council in Murree, Gulistan Cinema in Sheikhupura, and Zinco Palace in Gujranwala have all gone under. Among the total 36 cinemas, Lahore seems to be affected the most with 13 cinemas ceasing operations in the last seven years. Karachi is second on the list with four and Hyderabad third with three cinemas. Moreover, among the 124 active screens across 48 cinemas, nine screens have been temporarily shut down. Among them are four screens in Cinepax, Packages Mall, one in Cinepax Amanah Mall, and 1 in Chalo Cinema in Lahore, one in JFC Islamabad, one in Taj Mahal Faisalabad, and one in Cinepax Jinnah Park Rawalpindi. According to the report, that brings the total active screens across the country down to 115. Many factors play into Pakistani cinemas' decline at an alarming rate including lack of enough films to sustain the theatres year-round, the shift in audience's viewing habits since the pandemic and the ban on Indian films. Pakistan first banned Indian films in 2016 in response to the Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association (IMPPA) banning Pakistani actors, singers and technicians from working in Indian films. The tensions between the two countries continued for months. But the ban was eventually lifted with the release of Hrithik Roshan's Kaabil in February 2017. However, on February 26, 2019, Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jets violated Pakistan's airspace, causing Pakistan Air Force (PAF) to launch Operation Swift Retort in broad daylight on February 27, 2019 and capture pilot Abhinandan Varthaman. It immediately resulted in another ban on Indian films by Pakistan, which is still in effect.
