Kishore
Kumar, also known as Abhas Kumar Ganguly, was a playback singer, music
director, lyricist, film director, producer, screenwriter and even an actor.  He was known for his soft numbers to peppy
tracks and was fondly called Kishore Da.

His
comic timing in films were equally loved by his fans but  do you know that despite some successful
films under his belt, he hated acting. He later developed a serious interest in
singing and gave hits like ‘Tum bin jaaon kahan’, ‘Zindagi ek safar hai suhana’
and ‘Chala jata hoon became a instant hit’.

Also Read: Kishore Kumar birth anniversary: Evergreen songs of the legendary singer

On
his 92th birth anniversary today, here are some of the lesser-known facts about
the legendary singer as shared by Indian Express.

*Kishore
Kumar wasn’t a trained singer. He didn’t know any of the raags.

*In
a 1985 interview with Pritesh Nandy, Kishore Kumar was famously quoted as
saying, “What’s wrong with making friends with trees?”

*As
a multilingual, Kishore Kumar could sing in as many as 10 Indian languages
including Bengali, Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Assamese, Malayalam, Oriya, and
Kannada.

Also Read: As COVID-19 cases fall, Indore college to celebrate Kishore Kumar’s birth anniversary

*Kishore
da was very particular about his remuneration. Once a producer paid him half in
advance and said that he would like to pay the rest once the film is completed.
The next day, Kishore Kumar shocked everybody when he appeared with half of his
head and moustache shaved! and he told everybody that he would continue
appearing like this in every shot until he is given the full amount!

*In
the song Aake seedhi lage dil pe from the movie Half Ticket, he sang both the
male and female playback versions – quite a feat singing a duet simultaneously.
The female part was supposed to be sung by Lata Mangeshkar.

*There
used to be a signboard outside his bungalow that read ‘Beware of Kishore’.

*The
inspiration behind Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi’s popular song Panch Rupaiya Barah Aana
was based on the Rs 5.75 that Kumar owed his college canteen in Indore. In the
song, he also romanced with Madhubala who would later on become his second
wife.