Shakti Thakur (1947 – 5 October 2020) was an Indian actor, comedian and playback singer. He has acted in many Bengali as well as several Hindi films and also lent his voice in films. His repertoire includes Yeh Desh (1984), Aagoon (1988), Sajanj Go Sajani (1994) etc.

Shakti Thakur
Born
Shakti Thakur

1947
Died5 October 2020(2020-10-05) (aged 72–73)
Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Occupations
  • Actor
  • singer
Children2, including Monali Thakur
Musical career
GenresFilm music
Instrument(s)Vocalist
Years active1980–2020

Career edit

Thakur was a school teacher in his primary life. He later started his film career in 1976 with Tapan Sinha's "Harmonium" film as a playback singer. He, later on, starred in films like Dadar Kirti (1980) and Bhalobasha Bhalobasha. He was successful as an actor. He mostly played comedy roles in films.

Thakur was a classically trained singer. He sang songs under the baton of composers like Hemanta Mukhopadhyay, Ajoy Das and R. D. Burman etc.[1] In 1984, he debuted in Bollywood when prominent composer R. D. Burman gave him a chance to sing a group song in Hindi film Yeh Desh alongside Kumar Sanu, Udit Narayan and Shailendra Singh. It was also the debut song of Kumar Sanu. After this, he lent his voice for many Bengali and Hindi films. In 1988, he sang a duet "Khali Pete Korle Bhojon" with veteran singer Kishore Kumar in a Bengali film Aagoon.

Personal life edit

Thakur has two daughters: Mehuli and Monali. His elder daughter Mehuli Thakur is a Rabindra Sangeet singer. His younger daughter Monali Thakur was a contestant at Indian Idol Season 2. She later went on to become a leading playback singer in Bengali as well as Bollywood film industry. On his death, Monali shared a heartbroken note and cited that all she has become today is due to him.[2]

Death edit

On 5 October 2020, Thakur died at the age of 73 following a massive heart attack. Many fellow actors and singers paid tribute to him.[3]

References edit

  1. ^ "প্রয়াত গায়ক-অভিনেতা শক্তি ঠাকুর, বাবা হারালেন মেহুলি-মোনালি". Hindustantimes Bangla (in Bengali). 5 October 2020. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  2. ^ "Monali Thakur's heartbroken note after father Shakti Thakur's death: 'I started dreaming because of you Baba'". Hindustan Times. 5 October 2020. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  3. ^ "Veteran singer-actor Shakti Thakur dies at 73". India Today. 6 October 2020. Retrieved 10 January 2021.