Fans of all ages across India are stunned.

Playback singer Krishnakumar Kunnath, better known as KK, died barely an hour after he had finished a command performance at South Calcutta’s Nazrul Mancha. He was 53. He suffered a massive heart attack and was immediately rushed to Calcutta Medical Research Institute at 10.30 pm. But unfortunately he’d already passed away by then .

The Delhi born singer is considered one of the leading romantic male voices in films. He had sung in several languages.
KK had come to Calcutta on Sunday for two performances in the city — both at Nazrul Mancha. Monday’s event was organised by Thakurpukur’s Vivekananda College. Tuesday’s show was the annual social of Gurudas Mahavidyalaya in Ultadanga.

The singer said he was feeling unwell on his return to the Oberoi Grand hotel. Death came on the way to hospital. He was declared brought dead at Calcutta Medical Research Institute in Alipore.

Filmmaker Srijit Mukerji wrote on Facebook, “In a state of total shock. Just met him last month for the first time and it seemed that we had known each other for years. The chatter wouldn’t just stop. And I was so moved to see the love he had for Gulzar saab. He said he stepped into the film world with Chhor aaye hum and sang it to him as a tribute. Farewell, my newest friend. Will miss you. I wish we could have had more sessions on music and food and cinema.”

KK was brought to the hospital between 9.45pm and 10pm. “He was brought dead here. We have handed over the body to police. For tonight, the body will be kept at the hospital’s mortuary,” a spokesperson for CMRI told the media.

KK released his first album, Pal in 1999. The album is popular to this day. The singer-composer, whose real name was Krishnakumar Kunnath then focused more on working for the film industry. He had hits such as Tadap Tadap (Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, 1999), Dus Bahane (Dus, 2005), and Tune Maari Entriyaan (Gunday, 2014).

“He told his secretary Hitesh Bhatt that he was feeling cold when the car’s air conditioner was switched on while returning to the hotel this evening. In the hotel, a few fans were waiting for him to take selfies. He politely refused and said he was not feeling well today,” show arranger Tochan Ghosh told The Telegraph newspaper.
Ghosh said KK collapsed on a sofa in his room. Bhatt, who was present in the room, rushed him to hospital.

Singer Harshdeep Kaur expressed shock at his death. “Just can’t believe that our beloved #KK is no more. This really can’t be true. The voice of love has gone. This is heartbreaking.”

Bengal power and youth affairs minister Aroop Biswas, said: “I was returning from office when I received a phone call from Anupam Roy (singer) who asked me if the news was true. I said ‘let me check’…. He was brought dead at the hospital. I am speechless.”

Actor Akshay Kumar wrote, “Extremely sad and shocked to know of the sad demise of KK. What a loss! Om Shanti.”

  KK, Media, Music