The Enduring Legacy of Gulshan Kumar: 29 Years After His Passing

Mumbai, August 11: Gulshan Kumar significantly elevated the music industry during his lifetime. Nearly 29 years after his death, his greatest legacy may not stem from a shop, cassette, or film, but from a medium he could never have imagined. Known as the ‘Cassette King,’ he popularized devotional music in the 1980s and 1990s through affordable cassettes, and today, that same music is viewed billions of times on mobile phones and the internet.

A prime example is the video of ‘Shri Hanuman Chalisa,’ featuring Gulshan Kumar. Released in May 2011 on T-Series’ devotional channel, this video surpassed 5 billion views by November 2025. This means that 14 years after his passing, his image became part of a digital phenomenon that captured global attention.

The story here goes beyond just 5 billion views. It reflects a market that Gulshan Kumar recognized in his time. When cassettes were the primary way to listen to music in India, he understood the vast potential of the devotional music market. In the early years, T-Series released a large volume of bhajans and religious songs. Gulshan Kumar’s business acumen revealed that music was not just for filmgoers; temple visitors, home worshippers, and residents of small towns could also be significant consumers. This insight later became a cornerstone of T-Series’ devotional catalog.

Discussing the digital journey of ‘Shri Hanuman Chalisa,’ the video was released on May 10, 2011, and crossed one billion views by 2020. By 2023, it reached three billion, and by November 2025, it exceeded five billion views. At that time, the media hailed it as the first YouTube upload from India to achieve such a milestone. This was astonishing. Typically, after a person’s death, their name is confined to books, awards, or monuments. However, in Gulshan Kumar’s case, his name remains linked to a thriving commercial music library. Old bhajans have been reimagined into new videos, classic music has found fresh digital platforms, and T-Series has successfully spread its devotional content online.

Another aspect of Gulshan Kumar’s legacy is reflected in institutions and awards. The Gulshan Kumar Film and Television Institute of India bears his name. In 2019, T-Series’ educational wing established the Gulshan Kumar Award of Excellence and the Gulshan Kumar Young Achievers Award, ensuring his legacy continues to influence education.

His name is also set to make a significant impact in cinema. Plans to create a film titled ‘Mogul,’ based on his life, have been in the works for some time, with names like Akshay Kumar and Aamir Khan attached at various points. In 2025, there were reports of renewed efforts to advance the project, but the film remains in limbo.

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