Mumbai, November 11, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Veteran playback singer Kumar Sanu has described the assassination of music mogul Gulshan Kumar as a major turning point for the Hindi music industry, saying the tragedy gradually disrupted what he considers the golden era of film music.
Speaking to IANS at his residence in Mumbai’s Andheri West during the promotion of his song Suniyo Zara, the singer recalled Gulshan Kumar’s contribution to the music business and his ability to recognise musical talent and take songs to audiences across the world.
Sanu said Gulshan Kumar was much more than a music lover or businessman, crediting him with an exceptional understanding of the music industry and its commercial potential.
“It was bad. Till the time he was here, it was a golden era for Hindi film music,” Sanu said, adding that Gulshan Kumar had taught him important lessons about the value of a singer’s work.
The singer recalled that Gulshan Kumar regularly acquired music rights for films and played a significant role in supporting composers and singers. His death, Sanu said, had a wider impact on the industry, with several established musical collaborations eventually breaking apart.
“Nadeem–Shravan got separated. Nadeem went away. Then all the music directors who used to make good quality songs, everyone was affected,” he said.
Sanu also credited Gulshan Kumar with encouraging singers to demand fair payment for their work, recalling his advice that artists should not hesitate to seek proper remuneration for their efforts.
Describing the late music entrepreneur as his godfather, Sanu said the industry had lost someone from whom artists could have continued learning.
“Definitely it’s a big loss for our industry,” he added.
Gulshan Kumar, founder of the T-Series music label, was shot dead outside a temple in Mumbai on August 12, 1997. His assassination sent shockwaves through the Indian music and film industries.
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