Playback Singer Kunal Ganjawala Shares Heartwarming Birthday Tribute to Sushma Shrestha
Mumbai singer Kunal Ganjawala just took us on a nostalgic trip down memory lane with a touching Instagram post. On Sunday, the popular playback singer celebrated the birthday of fellow artist Sushma Shrestha, better known by her stage name Poornima, by sharing old photos and a heartfelt message. It’s a beautiful reminder of how mentors shape careers in the Hindi film music industry.
The post kicks off with a rare throwback photo from the recording of the iconic song "Ek Din Bik Jayega" from the 1975 movie Dharam Karam. This black-and-white gem features Bollywood music legends like S.D. Burman, his son R.D. Burman, renowned music arranger Manohari Singh, and actor Randhir Kapoor. Kunal calls it the first song he ever performed on stage, adding a personal twist to this piece of Bollywood history.
In a long, emotional caption, Kunal pours out his gratitude to Sushma Shrestha for being his "guardian angel" during his early struggles in the 90s. He writes, "Happiest Birthday to my dearest Sushma Shrestha Didi this day and forever. Thank you for being God’s chosen fairy Godmother to me and for tirelessly taking me along with you to all the major film and advertising studios of the early 90’s."
Kunal credits her for introducing him to top composers like Anand-Milind, Anu Malik, Aadesh Shrivastava, Ranjit Barot, Louis Banks, and Leslie Lewis. "You endorsed your faith in my talent & my original voice quality, which was my shortcoming as per those times of course," he adds. This support came at a time when breaking into the playback singing world was tough, and it gave him "an unbelievable opportunity" during his struggling days.
The second photo shows Sushma Shrestha herself, highlighting her enduring legacy in Bollywood playback singing. Kunal goes on to describe how she single-handedly launched him into the professional music scene. "Coming with you meant I could be in those monitor rooms of the hallowed studios & take in all the vibe required for an enormous learning curve," he shares. He names legendary spots like Film Centre, Bombay Lab, Mehboob Studios, Sunny Super Sound, Sahara Studios, and Western Outdoor—places where "just getting inside the studio premise took a lifetime."
Kunal also reveals how Sushma treated him like family. She let him stay at her home when it got late, and even gave him a spot equal to her own children, like an older brother. "You gave me a place in your home when it was late to get back home. I was given an equal place with your children like an older brother of theirs. I can never repay you for what you’ve done for me & for your kindheartedness. I stay eternally indebted," he writes.
He wraps up by noting her role as a massive source of confidence when no one knew him and music was a brand-new chapter in his life. Kunal even teases some fun trivia: "Legendary Mukesh’s absence from pic? Didi pls fill us in onto that trivia." Fans of Bollywood music and playback singers are loving this glimpse into the golden era of Hindi film songs, and it’s sparking conversations about the unsung heroes behind the stars.
This tribute not only honors Sushma Shrestha’s contributions to Indian playback singing but also shows the power of mentorship in the music industry. If you’re a fan of classic Bollywood hits like "Ek Din Bik Jayega," this post is a must-see!
