Amit Kumar recently shed light on the complicated first marriage of his legendary father, Kishore Kumar, to Ruma Guha Thakurta, revealing a fundamental clash of personal and professional aspirations.
Ruma Guha Thakurta: A Star Before Kishore
Before her marriage to Kishore Kumar, Ruma Guha Thakurta was a prominent figure in the entertainment industry. Her son, Amit Kumar, shared that she hailed from a family of intellectuals and artists, deeply involved with Bombay Talkies.
Ruma was a central pillar of the Bombay Youth Choir, a prestigious group that included musical giants like Salil Chowdhury, Lata Mangeshkar, Manna Dey, Mukesh, and Prem Dhawan. She was considered second only to Salil Chowdhury in the group’s hierarchy, highlighting her significant musical talent.
An Established Actress
Her talents weren’t limited to singing. Ruma had also started acting as a child, sharing screen space with leading stars of the era. She worked alongside luminaries such as Dev Anand, Dilip Kumar, and Ashok Kumar, establishing herself as an accomplished artist in her own right.
Love at First Sight, Then a Clash
Amit Kumar recounted how his parents met at Bombay Talkies. At the time, Kishore Kumar was still a struggling artist, often traveling with Dev Anand. It was reportedly love at first sight, leading to their marriage.
However, the initial spark soon faced a challenge. Within a few years of their marriage, a significant ideological difference emerged between the two strong-willed artists. Kishore Kumar wanted Ruma to step away from her career and focus solely on home and family.
Amit explained, “My father was ideologically a very different man than her, and both of them were strong-minded artistes, and a clash was bound to happen.” Kishore believed that with marriage, her duties had changed, and she should manage the household while he became the sole breadwinner.
The Divorce and Lingering Legacy
This fundamental disagreement about Ruma’s career and her role led to a growing rift. The couple eventually divorced seven years after they got married.
Following their separation, Ruma’s film career saw a revival. Meanwhile, Kishore Kumar cemented his legacy as one of Indian cinema’s most iconic multi-hyphenates—a singer, actor, and filmmaker whose influence continues to resonate today.
- Ruma Guha Thakurta was an established singer and actress before marrying Kishore Kumar.
- She was a key member of the Bombay Youth Choir, featuring legendary artists.
- Kishore Kumar desired her to quit her career and focus on household duties post-marriage.
- The clash between their strong artistic personalities led to their divorce after seven years.
This insight from their son offers a rare glimpse into the personal struggles behind the public personas of these celebrated figures in Indian cinema.
