Thu Jan 09 10:34:25 UTC 2025: ## Legendary Interviewer Pritish Nandy Dies; His Iconic Kishore Kumar Interview Remembered
**Mumbai, January [Date of Publication]** – The passing of renowned journalist, adman, producer, and poet Pritish Nandy at age [Nandy’s Age] has sent shockwaves through India. Nandy, who died of a cardiac arrest at his Mumbai home, is best remembered for his groundbreaking 1985 interview with the legendary singer Kishore Kumar for *The Illustrated Weekly of India*.
The interview, which featured a now-iconic cover image of Kishore Kumar alongside a skull wearing spectacles, offered an unprecedented glimpse into the eccentric personality of the music icon. Nandy’s skillful questioning revealed Kumar’s candid views on his four wives, his aversion to acting (despite becoming a star), his unusual methods of dealing with income tax officials (involving dead rats and dusty records), and his deep admiration for Alfred Hitchcock.
Kumar’s responses were as unconventional as his persona. He spoke frankly about his marriages, stating that his first wife, Ruma Devi, prioritized her career over building a home, while his relationship with Madhubala was marked by her illness and her mother’s influence. He expressed happiness with his fourth wife, Leena Chandavarkar, describing her as understanding and different. His foray into acting, he revealed, was a result of being “conned” into it due to his brother Ashok Kumar’s fame.
The interview, unearthed by Nandy’s tweet, went viral again following the news of his death. It quickly gained cult status over the years, revealing a side of Kishore Kumar largely unseen before. Nandy’s ability to draw such candid responses cemented his reputation as a master interviewer, capable of eliciting profound and unforgettable moments from even the most guarded personalities. The interview stands as a testament to both Nandy’s journalistic prowess and Kumar’s unique, unforgettable spirit.
First Piper 