The party that never happened

Flashbacking to the last day in Kishore Kumar's life on his 13th death anniversary

by Roshmila Bhattacharya

October 13, 1987. Kishore Kumar was a man who had just been given the moon. A recording had been cancelled and he had a rare holiday. He knew just how he was going to celebrate the day. It was his elder brother, Ashok Kumar's birthday and he insisted that that evening Dadamoni drop in at his Juhu residence, Gauri Kunj, on his way back from Film City Studio. They'd have a party. Dadamoni didn't want any celebrations. His wife Shobha had passed away only six months ago and Dadamoni was still in mourning. But Kishore would not be deterred. "You have to come," he told Dadamoni. "I have a surprise for you." Dadamoni had to give in. He promised Kishore he would be there that evening.

Mission accomplished Kishore then decided to watch a film. He walked up to his video library upstairs and from his collection of 5,000 odd cassettes picked out a Marilyn Monroe classic, River Of No Return. As the movie rolled Kishore had an idea. He decided on the spur of the moment that he was going to make a film again. River Of No Return had been most inspiring. He was going to star in it. With Danny Denzongpa. It would be a great film. He picked up the phone and called his nephew Deb Mukherjee, brother of Joy Mukherjee. "Deb tell Danny to meet me immediately," he commanded. Danny was watching an Indo-Pak cricket match. He promised Kishoreda he'd meet him that evening, as soon as the match was won.

Ah, another guest for the party that evening. But how could one have a party without both his boys present. Sumeet was home. His baba had even stopped him from going swimming that evening. He wanted his boy home with him that day. But Amit, his elder son, was in Canada. Wife Leena assured him that Amit was returning that evening.

Kishore went back upstairs. Minutes later Leena heard furniture being moved around. She rushed up to find him tugging at the sofa. She frowned at him and reminded him that he hadn't been feeling too good that morning. "I'm okay," he smiled at her but a little later she found him in bed. It was an unusual sight. Noting her concern Kishore assured her that he was fine. There was just a twinge in his left shoulder. "Nothing to worry about. Don't call the doctor. I'll get a heart attack if he turns up," Kishore joked drawing a reluctant smile from his wife. Soon he was up and about and all was well.

At 4.30 p.m. he was still laughing and joking when suddenly in mid-sentence he dropped to the ground in a dead faint. Leena thought it was just one of his pranks till the servant dropped down besides him and picked up his inert hand. There was no pulse. It was all over. Kishore Kumar had suffered a fatal heart attack.

Soon cars started driving into Gauri Kunj. Kishore's guests had started to arrive.....Danny, Dadamoni, Amit. But there was no party.

Dadamoni never celebrated his birthday again.

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