Amit Kumar Recalls Kishore Kumar’s Furious Reaction After Catching Him Smoking as a Child

June 28, 2026

Mumbai: Legendary playback singer and actor Kishore Kumar’s son Amit Kumar has recalled one of the rare occasions when the iconic singer lost his temper after catching him smoking as a child during a concert tour in the United States. Sharing the incident on the music reality show Indian Idol, Amit revealed that despite Kishore Kumar’s fun-loving personality, he was extremely strict when it came to smoking and drinking.

A Childhood Memory from a Washington Tour

Appearing on the show along with his mother, actress Leena Chandavarkar, Amit Kumar recounted the incident that took place during a show in Washington.

Recalling the moment, Amit said:

“Washington mein show tha. Mummy bhi thi usmein. Main bhaiya ke saath room mein tha. Baba ka show tha aur Mummy unke saath gayi thi. Mujhe bhaiya ke room mein chhod diya tha. Shaam ko 8:30 baje ke baad drink, baraf aur smoke, yeh sab bhai ke room mein aa gaya. Mere paas kuch tha nahi karne ke liye. Main room mein baithkar bhaiya ko dekh raha tha, toh maine zidd karni shuru kar di, ‘Mujhe bhi chahiye… mujhe bhi cigarette chahiye.'”

He further added:

“Bhaiya ek point ke baad tang aa gaye. Unhone bola, ‘Chal, le lo.’ Bas main aaine ke saamne bhaiya ko dekh-dekh raha hu aur cigarette phoonk raha ho.”

(We were in Washington for a show. My mother was there too. I was staying in my elder brother’s room while my father was performing and my mother had gone with him. Around 8:30 p.m., drinks, ice and cigarettes arrived in the room. Watching my elder brother smoke, I insisted on trying a cigarette too. Eventually, he gave me one, and I stood in front of the mirror pretending to smoke.)

Kishore Kumar’s Unexpected Entry

Amit revealed that the situation changed dramatically when Kishore Kumar unexpectedly entered the room.

He continued:

“Achanak darwaaza khulta hai aur entry hoti hai Baba aur Mummy ki, and Baba really used to not like who would drink or smoke. Jaise hi woh room mein aaye, uske baad ka part mujhe bahut achhi tarah yaad hai. Usse pehle ka part toh dhundhla hai.”

(Suddenly, the door opened and my father and mother walked in. My father absolutely disliked anyone drinking or smoking. The moment he entered the room, everything that happened afterwards is crystal clear in my memory.)

A Rare Moment of Anger

Describing his father’s reaction, Amit said:

“Jab unhone chillaya na, toh jo Kishore da ki awaaz aap gaane mein sunte ho, main aapko kasam se bolta hoon, hotel ke do floor upar aur do floor neeche tak awaaz gayi hogi. Aisa ek bang hogaya tha. Bahut buri haalat ho gayi thi.”

(The moment he shouted, I swear, the powerful voice people heard in Kishore Da’s songs echoed throughout the hotel. It was so loud that people on two floors above and below would have heard it.)

‘I Was Just a Child,’ Says Amit Kumar

Looking back at the incident with a smile, Amit admitted:

“Lekin main naadaan tha. Mujhe toh de di thi cigarette. Ismein meri bhi galti thi nahi.”

(But I was just a child. I had simply been handed the cigarette, so I don’t think I was entirely at fault.)

Kishore Kumar’s Strict Personal Principles

While Kishore Kumar was known for his playful personality, humour and legendary musical career, Amit’s anecdote offered a glimpse into the singer’s personal values. According to Amit, Kishore Kumar strongly disapproved of smoking and drinking, especially among youngsters, and did not hesitate to discipline his children when he felt they were heading in the wrong direction.