When Kishore Kumar cut his Rs 50,000 fee; Sang Bhojpuri songs for just Rs 3,000

Legendary singer Kishore Kumar is remembered not only for his magical voice but also for his kind gestures. Playback singer Shaan recently shared a touching story about Kishore’s generosity and love for music.Speaking to IANS, Shaan recalled how Kishore once agreed to sing two Bhojpuri songs for his father, composer Manas Mukherjee, for just Rs 3,000—a fraction of his usual fee at the time. “Kishore Da sent a message to my father asking why they weren’t working together. My father said it was just a Bhojpuri film, and Kishore immediately said, ‘I’ll do it for you.’ He sang two songs for only Rs 3,000, even though he usually charged Rs 50,000 per song,” Shaan shared.He explained that this gesture showed Kishore’s emotional connection to music and people. “He used to command Rs 50,000 per song, and he got it. Today, some singers charge close to Rs 1 crore. But if an artist feels a personal connection, or if they respect the project, they will sing for less—because artists are emotional people,” he said.He also reflected on how music lasts in the digital age. “I have sung close to 3,000 songs or more. How many of my songs do you remember? How long have they lived? 10%, 15% at the most. So, that's just how it is. Some songs will be filtered out, some songs are generally bad, so nothing could be done about that. They were made then, they are made now, and they will continue to be made in the future,” Shaan added.Recently, Shaan curated a tribute show in honour of Kishore Kumar, celebrating the singer’s timeless voice and emotional depth, showing why he remains one of Indian music’s most beloved legends.