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Brothers in Bollywood: One died on the very birthday of the other
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News18•13-10-2026, 15:48
Brothers in Bollywood: One died on the very birthday of the other
- •Ashok Kumar and Kishore Kumar were legendary superstar brothers who left an indelible mark on Indian cinema.
- •Ashok Kumar, born on October 13, 1911, popularized natural acting in Hindi films and was fondly known as Dadamoni.
- •Kishore Kumar, born on August 4, 1929, gained massive popularity as a versatile singer, actor, composer, and director.
- •In a tragic coincidence, Kishore Kumar passed away due to a heart attack on October 13, 1987, which was Ashok Kumar's 76th birthday.
- •Deeply shattered by the tragedy, Ashok Kumar reportedly stopped celebrating his birthday for the rest of his life.
Key Questions Answered
Kishore Kumar passed away due to a heart attack on October 13, 1987, which was precisely the 76th birthday of his older brother, legendary actor Ashok Kumar. This unique date intertwined their lives as an emotional coincidence of joy and sorrow.
Kishore Kumar suffered a fatal heart attack at his Mumbai residence at age 58. Showing his trademark humor, he joked about not calling a doctor and collapsed while laughing and talking with his wife Leena Chandavarkar, who initially mistook it for a prank.
Various reports and writings indicate that the sudden shock of Kishore Kumar's death deeply traumatized Ashok Kumar. Following his brother's passing, Ashok Kumar reportedly stopped celebrating his birthday entirely.
