Kishore Kumar — A Tender Recollection of His Last Morning (October 13, 1987)
Kishore Kumar — affectionately called "Kishore da" by friends and admirers — remains one of Indian cinema's most beloved playback singers and multi-talented entertainers. In a poignant 1997 interview with Cineplot, actress Leena Chandavarkar described the quiet, intimate moments of the morning when Kishore Kumar left this world. The following account is a careful English retelling of that recollection, preserving the details Leena shared about the last hours of October 13, 1987.
Morning of October 13, 1987 — The First Signs
According to Leena Chandavarkar’s interview, the morning of October 13, 1987 began like many others: Kishore was asleep. Leena noticed that his complexion looked somewhat pale. When she moved closer to examine his face, Kishore stirred and spoke to her gently, asking whether she was frightened — then reminded her that it was his day off.
Plans for Celebration — A Brother’s Birthday
That same day was the birthday of Kishore’s elder brother, the respected actor Ashok Kumar (Dadamuni). Kishore had been planning a lively celebration to mark his brother’s birthday and had invited a few people over to coordinate the party. During lunch he told Leena that they would watch the film River of No Return that evening — a small, ordinary plan that would now be sharply contrasted with what followed.
The Moment He Felt Weak — His Last Words
Shortly after, Leena noticed Kishore moving furniture in one of the rooms. On entering she found him lying on the bed and looking visibly worried. Kishore told her he felt very weak. Leena ran to call a doctor, but Kishore stopped her in a calm but urgent tone, saying:
“If you call the doctor, I’ll have a heart attack.”
Those were, as Leena recalled, his final words. Moments later his eyes remained open and his breathing slowed until it ceased.
Why Leena Thought It Was a Joke — Then the Realization
Leena explained that Kishore often indulged in playful antics and mock dramas, so at first she suspected he might be staging something — a jest or one of his familiar pranks. But on that morning he did not move beyond the stillness. He had in fact passed away; his body had left him and he had begun what Leena described as his journey into the infinite.
Aftermath — Grief, Depression, and Healing
Leena Chandavarkar and Kishore Kumar had been companions for seven years. After Kishore's death, Leena entered a period of deep depression. She has spoken candidly about how difficult those days were. Over time she found personal methods to cope. Leena described a private ritual she adopted whenever she felt sorrowful: closing her room door, turning up the TV volume, letting herself cry fully, then drinking a cup of tea and forcing a small smile. She said this gentle routine echoed Kishore’s own philosophy toward life and helped her move forward.
- Kishore Kumar passed away on the morning of October 13, 1987.
- Leena Chandavarkar was born on August 29, 1950.
- The recollection above is drawn from a 1997 Cineplot interview with Leena Chandavarkar, as she recounted the final morning she spent with Kishore.
Why This Memory Resonates
The image of a great artist meeting his end in an intimate, domestic setting — not on stage or surrounded by fans, but in the quiet of home — is deeply affecting. Kishore’s last gentle admonition to Leena captures a combination of tenderness, humor, and a wish to protect the emotions of those he loved. Over decades, fans have continued to remember Kishore not only for his unforgettable voice and comic genius but also for the human moments friends and partners have shared about him.
Closing Thoughts
This account is a faithful retelling of Leena Chandavarkar’s memory of Kishore Kumar’s final morning. It speaks to the fragility of life and the private ways people grieve and recover. Kishore’s music and memory live on; Leena’s recollection gives us a small, compassionate window into the last ordinary morning of an extraordinary life.
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