From singing with his idol Lata Mangeshkar to getting a chance in Bollywood as his voice suited Big B; singer Shabbir Kumar shares amusing anecdotes in TKSS

Kapil Sharma invites on stage Shabbir Kumar, Altaf Raja, Suneeta Rao, and Shweta Shetty, music sensations from the 1980s and 1990s. Shabbir Kumar made a spectacular entry singing 'Parbaton Se Aaj Mein Takra Gaya,' while Altaf Raja and Suneeta Rao performed Tum To Thehre Pardesi and Pari Hoon Main, transporting everyone back to the 1980s and 1990s. Shweta Shetty added chaar chand to her classic song 'Deewane To Deewane Hain' with her voice. Shabbir had some amusing anecdotes to share from his journey in the industry:

I began with Amitabh Bachchan when I sang for him and it suited his personality, this became a turning point for me. In the 1980s when Rafi Sahab passed away, I used to reside in Baroda. I used to only come for live shows to Bombay and go back. We had made a show, 'Ek Shaam Rafi ke Naam' that changed my life. This became so famous that Lakshmikant Pyaarelalji called and asked me to come to meet them. Lakshmiji asked me to sing a song and gave me the lyrics. And that's how I came into the industry for having a voice similar to Rafi Sahab.

Kapil asks Shabbir ji about his fan moments and he shares an interesting instance, "There were many instances in the early 90s when many women used to stop my car and kiss it just to express their love for me. I am blessed to receive such immense love from every generation."

The era of the 80s was so amazing. It was all about the struggle. It reminds me of a beautiful couplet written by Basheer Badr Sahab, "Yeh phool mujhko virasat mein mile hai, par tune mera kaanto bhara bistar nahi dekha". In those days, I didn't have a radio but I used to love listening to songs. There was this one doctor's family and they had a radio. Earlier those who had a radio at their place were considered rich. So, I used to walk early in the morning near their place and listen to songs through the wall.

We had a lot of respect for each other, my parents would never let us even speak a bad word in the house. The maximum I ever said was 'Saala', but when I came into the Industry and I got a song to sing in the film 'Mard', Buri Nazarwale, and that had lyrics like 'Jaa saala', my parents used to say that bring the songs home to share with us and in the whole song wherever I said 'Saala', I was so hesitant. If you listen to the song you will come to know.

I got an opportunity to collaborate with Rajkumar Sahab for live shows in South America. After the first show, he called me into the room to talk to me. He said, "Today you will sing a song from Heer Ranjha, but you will sing from backstage because I will be lip-syncing it. But remember you will not come on the stage, the audience must believe that I am singing the song." I gave him a suggestion to say the Shayari from the film and that would be a cue for me to start singing. He agreed and when Rajkumar Sahab went on the stage he forgot the couplet and very innocently he said, 'Shabbir tum kahan ho' and I started singing. It was one of the most memorable moments of my life.

The first time I sang with Lata Didi, I sang all the songs of Betaab with Lata didi, it is my biggest achievement. When the producers told me that I will be singing with Lataji, I was shocked. It reminded me of my childhood when I used to listen to her songs on the radio through the wall. When she came, I touched her feet and started singing. When my lines used to come I used to be so starstruck by didi's voice that I would just pause at the moment. Pancham da kept reminding me of the cue and I kept making the same mistake again. That's when Didi asked Pancham da to take a short break as she realised I was a little hesitant. We sat and Lata didi asked me if I would have tea and we had tea together; then she talked me out and later I was comfortable singing with my idol.