Mohd. Rafi has given playback for Kishore Kumar not once or twice but many times. In some cases the reason is known while in some cases it is unknown.
The song “Mann Mora Bawra” from Ragini (1958) was picturised on Kishore Kumar but sung by Mohd. Rafi.
The reason being that it was a semi classical song and music director O. P. Nayyar felt that only Mohd. Rafi could do justice with it.
There were two songs which Rafi sang for Kishore in Shararat (1959). “Ajab hai dastaan teri Ae Zindagi” required someone having a classical background and required high pitch.
One more reason is that Kishore was not the original choice as the lead actor and few songs had already been recorded. The other song was, “Tu mera copyright, main tera copyright”.
Rafi sang two songs for Kishore Kumar in the film Bhagambhag (1956), “Hame Koi Gham Hai” & “Chale Ho Kahan”
The song from the film Paisa hi Paisa (1956) is special in this regard. Kishore Kumar plays a double role in this film and therefore the voices of both the legends were used in the song.
Usually many will go with one voice if the characters look same but music director Anil Biswas thought the otherway as he wanted authenticity. The song was, “Le lo Sone Ka Ladoo”.
The song, “O Meri Maina” from the film Krorepati (1961) interestlngly had both Kishore & Rafi do the playback for Kishore in the same song.
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