If you’re familiar with Bollywood music and films, you’ve likely encountered T-Series. This influential music label and film studio was transformed by Gulshan Kumar, who played a pivotal role in reshaping Bollywood’s music industry. Under his leadership, T-Series introduced the audio cassette format in India, overtaking the long-established HMV label.
Here’s a look at the remarkable journey of the man who changed Bollywood’s music scene forever:
- Founder of T-Series
Gulshan Kumar Dua, born in 1951 into a Punjabi Hindu family, was a visionary businessman who founded T-Series. His innovative approach and dedication helped shape the modern music industry in India.
- Early Life
Gulshan Kumar was born into a modest family in Delhi’s Daryaganj neighborhood. His father, a fruit juice vendor, struggled to make ends meet. The family had relocated from Jhang in West Punjab due to the 1947 Partition riots, which had forced many Hindu families to flee their homes.
- The Birth of T-Series
The journey to T-Series began when Kumar’s family opened a shop selling affordable audio cassettes and records. This venture laid the foundation for what would become a massive music empire. In 1983, Gulshan Kumar founded Super Cassettes Industries, which later evolved into the renowned T-Series music label. By the early 1990s, T-Series played a crucial role in revitalizing the Indian music industry. Kumar’s strategy involved enlisting vocalists like Anuradha Paudwal, Mohammed Aziz, Kumar Sanu, and Alka Yagnik to record cover versions of popular songs at a fraction of the usual costs.
- Tragic Death
Gulshan Kumar’s life was tragically cut short on August 12, 1997. He was shot 16 times outside the Jiteshwar Mahadev Mandir, a Hindu temple he visited daily. His murder was orchestrated by hired assassins. Abdul Rauf, also known as Daud Merchant, was convicted of the crime in 2002. After being released by the Bombay High Court in 2009, Merchant fled the country but was later extradited from Bangladesh in 2016 and is now imprisoned in Mumbai’s Arthur Road prison.
- Enduring Legacy
From a young age, Kumar was involved in religious activities and worked alongside his father. He was deeply devoted to Shiva and Vaishno Devi, and he established a free meal service (Prasad) for devotees at the Vaishno Devi Temple starting in 1983. This service continues to be a revered tradition in India, now managed by his son Bhushan Kumar.
Gulshan Kumar’s legacy endures through his son Bhushan Kumar, who continues to lead T-Series as its Chairman and Managing Director, carrying forward his father’s vision and influence in the music industry.