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In 1983, Gulshan Kumar established Super Cassettes Industries Private Limited, a company that would later be known as T-Series.
Gulshan Kumar was a devotee of Lord Shiva and Mata Vaishno Devi. (Photo Credits: Instagram)
What connects a fruit juice stall, bhajans and Bollywood blockbusters? T-Series. Long before it became a music and film powerhouse, T-Series began as a small cassette venture by a Delhi-based juice seller. That seller was Gulshan Kumar, the man who built an empire from scratch and changed the scenario of Indian music forever.
In 1983, Gulshan Kumar established Super Cassettes Industries Private Limited, which is now known as T-Series. Now led by his son Bhushan Kumar, the label has grown into a global entertainment powerhouse. It has made the Kumar family the richest in the Bollywood industry. As per the Hurun India Rich List, the Kumar family’s net worth is estimated at Rs 10,000 crore.
From Juice Seller To Music Entrepreneur
Gulshan was born in Delhi on May 5, 1951, to a Punjabi Hindu family that had migrated from West Punjab during partition in 1947. Gulshan started working at a very young age at his father’s small juice stall in Daryaganj. While managing the stall, he noticed that music cassettes were in high demand and held strong profit potential.
He then invested in a small music shop and started selling cassettes. He soon moved into producing devotional songs, which became popular and laid the foundation for the music label. On July 11, 1983, he officially founded Super Cassettes Industries Private Limited, now widely known as T-Series.
Deep Devotion That Shaped His Identity
Gulshan was deeply religious as he was a devotee of Lord Shiva and Mata Vaishno Devi. He often sang bhajans and spiritual songs himself. His attachment to Vaishno Devi was so strong that he began a free meal service in 1983 for pilgrims at the Baan Ganga area on the temple route, a tradition that continues to this day.
His label produced a vast number of devotional albums, and many of them featured him personally. One of the most iconic devotional videos is the Hanuman Chalisa, sung by Hariharan and featuring Gulshan, which has crossed over four billion views on YouTube. His devotion was not just personal; it became the core of the company’s early identity.
Entry Into Bollywood
While devotional songs gave T-Series its start, Gulshan did not stop there. He took the label beyond spiritual content and into mainstream Bollywood music. The label produced re-recorded old film songs which were sung by new singers like Alka Yagnik, Anuradha Paudwal, Kumar Sanu and Mohammed Aziz. Not only this, to reach to wider audience, he made music accessible by distributing cassettes not just in elite music stores but through small shops and street vendors.
In 1988, the label released the soundtrack of Aamir Khan’s debut film, Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, which became a turning point for it. The album’s success helped T-Series gain recognition as a serious player in Bollywood. This was followed by popular soundtracks for films like Aashiqui, Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. By 1997, the company was valued at around Rs 500 crore.
Family Life
Gulshan married Sudesh Kumari in 1975. Despite his growing fame and public presence, he largely kept his personal life away from the media. The couple had three children: Bhushan Kumar, Tulsi Kumar and Khushali Kumar.
Sudden Death
On August 12, 1997, Gulshan was attacked and killed outside Jiteshwar Mahadev Mandir in Mumbai’s Andheri West area shortly after his morning prayers. His sudden death shocked the country and left a lasting void in the music world.
Bhushan Kumar Takes Over
After Gulshan’s death, his son Bhushan Kumar took over the reins of T-Series. He was only 19 years old when he stepped into his father’s shoes. Over the years, he expanded the company from music production into full-scale film production and digital content creation.
Under Bhushan’s leadership, T-Series has backed several hit films. The company has embraced digital platforms, music streaming and international partnerships. It also launched the Gulshan Kumar Film and Television Institute to train new talent for the industry.
The rest of the family is also active in the entertainment space. Bhushan’s sister Tulsi Kumar is a playback singer and his other sister Khushali Kumar is an actress.
Can You Too Earn Like Bhushan Kumar?
While the success of T-Series cannot be copied, there are valuable lessons from how Bhushan Kumar grew the company into a global entertainment brand.
Focus On One Area
T-Series started with devotional music, established trust and then expanded to Bollywood. The key is to start with one strong offering instead of trying to enter multiple areas before scaling up.
Consistency Matters
The company consistently produces and releases content, which has helped it stay visible and relevant.
Use Of Digital Platforms
YouTube played a major role in T-Series becoming a global name. Learning to use platforms like YouTube, Spotify or Instagram effectively is key in today’s market.
Market Understanding
Bhushan Kumar has a strong grasp of market trends and audience preferences. He chooses projects that align with what viewers want and ensures that each investment is made with a clear focus on budget and commercial potential.
Adapt With Time
From cassettes to CDs to digital, the company changed with the times. Bhushan Kumar made sure that T-Series didn’t fall behind during the shifts.
Clear Vision
Success didn’t come overnight. Gulshan Kumar began with a small local shop and gradually built T-Series into a trusted name. After his passing, Bhushan Kumar took over and expanded the brand across new areas. The journey was shaped by patience, planning and a clear sense of purpose.
A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on what’s creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture.
A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on what’s creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture.
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