31 May,2023 11:49 AM IST | Mumbai | Natasha Coutinho D`souza
Krishnakumar Kunnath. Pic/PTI
Singer Krishnakumar Kunnath, better known as KK, passed away on May 31 last year, which came as a huge shock to fans, family and colleagues. The singer had suddenly fallen ill while performing at an event in Kolkata and was taken to the CMRI hospital, where he was declared dead.
Mid-day.com had spoken to his friends and industry colleagues - Kabir Khan, Kailash Kher, Ehsaan Noorani and Shekhar Ravjiani - who had shared fond memories of the late singer.
Director Kabir Khan, who was KK's college friend, recalled that they won various dance competitions together. Khan had told Mid-day.com, "KK and I go back a long way! Every film of mine has a song by KK, he was my lucky charm. He was an extremely close friend and we would keep planning to meet but years just go by because he was busy and so was I. When someone goes away you realize you should have taken out time! KK was the first from our batch to move to the city and we would cite his example. He had started singing jingles by then. Then he became an accomplished singer and I was just two films old but his song âHai Junoon' from 'New York' became iconic. I still remember sitting with Pritam and how we recorded that song. It's really heart breaking to think of it now!" Read full story here
Singer Kailash Kher remembered KK as someone who inspired the youth with his songs. Kher said, "When a public figure like KK passes away, it's not just his family but fans who are his extended family that are deeply affected. Fans are very emotional about their favourite singers. People die every day, but when a much-loved public figure passes away, it is very painful. He was not only a good singer, he was a good person. He was a Keralite but lived in Delhi. A lot of members from my band Kailasa and their friends had worked with KK. I was really shocked when I heard that he fell ill and suddenly passed away." Read full story here
Music director-singer Shekhar Ravjiani had said that KK had been part of everything from the very beginning of his career. "KK was the most beautiful soul and every bit of that beauty reflected in his music at all times," said Ravjiani. Read full story here
Music composer Ehsaan Noorani, of the musical trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, who had worked with singer KK, recalled, "We've had so many songs together from 'Koi Kahe' (Dil Chahta Hai) to 'It's the time to Disco' (Kal Ho Na Ho) and Jhoom Barabar Jhoom. Pretty iconic songs! In fact, I had done a jingle with him years ago when he had just come to Mumbai. Loy (Mendonsa) knew him very well and I had asked Loy for recommendations because he used to teach at KK's school in Delhi. We required a rock singer for a jingle of Timex watches and he said 'Call KK' who was singing for a band back then." Read full story here
