India, May 29 -- It is no exaggeration to call Kishore Kumar one of the most iconic and successful singers in Indian entertainment history. Ironically enough, despite being considered one of the finest playback singers in Indian cinema, Kishore never won a National Film Award. In a recent interview, his son and singer Amit Kumar revealed that the late singer did once come close to a National Award win, but was deterred by the demand for a bribe.

In the 1960s, after Kishore's films as an actor began flopping, he turned director with Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein, which also starred Amit alongside him. The film was released in 1964 and was a stupendous box office success. At the time, it was reported that the film was being considered for the ...