Tarot reader had warned Kishore Kumar about his death and it happened exactly as predicted

Economic Times

3 days ago

Synopsis
Kishore Kumar, one of India's most iconic singers, appeared to have sensed his death before it happened. In interviews, his son Amit Kumar recalled how a tarot reader once predicted Kishore had only seven years left to live—an eerie forecast that came true. On the day he passed away in 1987, Kishore showed signs of unease and made unusual remarks to his family. Amit, who was abroad at the time, learned of his father's death through a phone call.
Kishore Kumar Kishore Kumar passed away on October 13, 1987, leaving a void in Indian music that was felt across generations. His elder son, Amit Kumar, revealed in interviews with Radio Nasha and journalist Vickey Lalwani that the legendary singer had sensed something unusual in his final hours. Amit recalled that Kishore seemed particularly anxious about his son's return from Canada, asking repeatedly whether he would arrive in time. That very day, Kishore collapsed unexpectedly — and tragically, it wasn't one of his infamous pranks. His sudden death came exactly seven years after a tarot reader in Assam had told him he had only that much time left to live — a prediction Kishore had quietly carried with him.Amit Kumar, who was in the US with actors Govinda and Asrani for a live tour, was unaware of the seriousness of his father's condition. He remembered receiving a morning call from filmmaker Shomu Mukherjee, followed by others, all hesitant to reveal the truth. It was finally producer-director Shakti Samanta who broke the news that Kishore had died. Amit shared that his colleagues offered quiet support, and actor Kulbhushan Kharbanda comforted him during the flight back to India. The grief was compounded by his father's prolonged illness and perhaps even Kishore's sadness over his son's troubled marriage.
Kishore Kumar's life was often a mirror of contradictions — artistic brilliance entwined with eccentricity, restlessness mixed with intense emotionality. Filmmaker H.S. Rawail once said Kishore had a habit of either escaping situations or finding a simpler path forward. This reflected not just in his music but in his relationships, especially his marriages, which were often impulsive and short-lived.His first marriage to actor-singer Ruma Guha Thakurta was spontaneous. Kishore left for their wedding directly from the airport after a recording session. The marriage brought early career success, but eventually ended due to conflicting ambitions. Kishore reportedly buried the car he had bought during their marriage beneath his bungalow, wanting to forget its emotional ties.Kishore's marriage to Madhubala in 1960 was marked by both devotion and complexity. Madhubala, seriously ill with a congenital heart defect, married Kishore before leaving for medical treatment in London. Although rumours suggested that Kishore had converted to Islam for the wedding, these were denied by family and friends. Despite early efforts to be by her side — including altering his work schedule to be home for dinner with her — the emotional strain grew. Her sister, Madhur Bhushan, claimed that Kishore eventually distanced himself, leaving her at her family home under the care of a nurse. However, a biography by Aniruddha Bhattacharjee and Parthiv Dhar countered this narrative, stating that Kishore remained deeply involved and moved her to a different house for health reasons.Kishore Kumar was more than just a playback singer; he was an institution. Untrained in classical music, he still managed to record nearly 3,000 songs, act in numerous films, and collaborate with musical greats like R.D. Burman and S.D. Burman. His whimsical persona — often described as bordering on madness — was misunderstood. For instance, tales of him keeping skulls at home were later clarified by Amit as mere African souvenirs. Kishore had a fascination with African art and culture, not a penchant for morbidity.In his own way, Kishore Kumar always danced to his own rhythm. And on that final day, it seemed the performer had already heard his closing cue. His death, like his life, unfolded with drama, emotion, and a touch of mystery — befitting the genius who made unpredictability his trademark.