When Kishore Kumar's last wife Leena, admitted he scared her: 'I heard rumours about him...'

Kishore Kumar, celebrated as one of India’s most legendary playback singers, was not just a musical prodigy but also a man known for his unpredictable and eccentric nature. Those closest to him often found themselves navigating his moods and quirks, sometimes with a sense of awe, and at other times with fear. Leena Chandravarkar, his fourth wife, spoke candidly about these peculiarities in an interview with Lehren Retro, revealing that she was initially both bewildered and intimidated by his behavior.

Moments of Fear

Leena recalled a particular incident that left her shaken during the shooting of Pyaar Ajnabi Hai. Alone in her dressing room, she was approached by Kishore, who asked if she had heard any gossip about him. Unwilling to respond, she hesitated, only to witness a startling transformation in his expression. His face contorted into a wild, almost animalistic look, leaving her momentarily terrified.

“He asked me once if I have heard any rumours about him, but I refused because I didn’t want to say it to his face. I was alone in the room. I can’t even make the face he made… but he made a face like an animal, like a very scary face. It was like he had gone mad. I had heard these things about him, so I got scared..." she recalled.

Seeking to calm him, she admitted that she had indeed heard rumors, which immediately prompted laughter from the singer. Such dramatic mood swings were part of his personality, Leena noted, adding that he also enjoyed exposing children to horror films, reflecting his playful yet unpredictable nature.

A Bold Proposal
Leena’s first encounter with Kishore Kumar also highlighted his unorthodox approach to relationships. In 2022, during her appearance on Dance India Dance Li’l Masters season 5, she recounted how Kishore boldly proposed marriage to her at their initial meeting. Confused at first, she quickly realized he was serious about his intentions, but she politely refused. This early interaction captured both his directness and his characteristic audacity, qualities that often left those around him both amused and unsettled.

A Unique Matrimonial Journey

Leena’s experiences with Kishore extended into her marriage, which was unconventional in several ways. In a 1997 interview with Cineplot, she explained that they had to marry twice: once through legal registration and once through traditional Vedic rituals. At the time of the second ceremony, she was nine months pregnant with their son Sumeet. Leena described the humorous image of herself taking the sacred saat pheras while heavily pregnant, occasionally needing breaks during the ceremony. This anecdote illustrates the blend of tradition, devotion, and levity that marked their union.

Marriages and Legacy

Kishore Kumar’s personal life was as colorful as his professional one. He married four times over his lifetime. His first marriage to Bengali singer and actress Ruma Guha Thakurta lasted eight years. His second marriage was with the iconic actress Madhubala, which ended tragically with her untimely death in 1969. He then married Yogeeta Bali, but that union lasted only two years. His final marriage, with Leena Chandravarkar, endured until his passing in 1987. Each relationship reflected a distinct chapter of his life, intertwining love, complexity, and the eccentricities that defined him.