Playback Hits To Ghazal Greats, The Story Of Roopkumar Rathod’s Musical Career

The guru-shishya relationship in India transcends the typical teacher-student dynamic, holding profound cultural and emotional significance. In the realm of Hindustani music, this bond is akin to familial reverence, embodying respect and deep commitment. It is rare to hear of conflicts within such relationships, but about three decades ago, a particularly shocking fallout between a guru and disciple rocked the Indian music industry. Roopkumar Rathod is a leading ghazal singer of his time, also known for his contributions to film music. His father, the esteemed classical vocalist Pandit Chaturbhuj Rathod, introduced him to music, and Roopkumar began playing the tabla in his teenage years.

In the 1980s, he joined Anup Jalota’s bhajan troupe, performing with him frequently. Roopkumar looked up to Anup Jalota as his guru and used to frequent his home. During this period, he met Sonali, who was Jalota’s wife at the time. Roopkumar and Sonali eventually fell in love and decided to marry, which led to her divorcing Anup Jalota. Their relationship and subsequent marriage caused a significant uproar in the Indian music industry. Anup Jalota, upset by the turn of events, urged Bollywood producers and composers to boycott Roopkumar, and many complied with his request.

Roopkumar Rathod began his playback singing career in 1992 with the film Angaar. His initial foray into playback singing laid a strong foundation, but it was his performance in the film Border that catapulted him to widespread fame. The song Sandese Aate Hain, which he sang for Border, became an anthem and remains one of the most iconic songs in Indian cinema. He sang memorable tracks in movies such as Kareeb, Mela, Jism, and Life in a Metro, each contributing to his growing reputation in the industry.

In 2007, Roopkumar achieved another milestone with the song Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai from the film Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. However, after 2010, Roopkumar began to shift his focus more towards ghazals, a genre that has always been close to his heart. This transition allowed him to explore his musical roots and express his artistry in a more personal and profound way. He and Sonali remain married and have a daughter, Reewa Rathod, who is also a professional singer.