In 1968, Rahul Dev Burman worked with Kumar on the soundtrack of the film "Padosan" (1968), in which Kumar sang "Mere Saamne Wali Khidki Mein" and "Kehna Hai." "Padosan" was a comedy featuring Kishore as a dramatist-musician, Mehmood as a Carnatic music and dance teacher, and Sunil Dutt as a simpleton named Bhola. Kishore's character was inspired by his uncle, Dhananjay Bannerjee, a classical singer. The highlight of the film was a musical, comical duel between Kumar, Sunil Dutt and Mehmood: "Ek Chatur Nar Karke Singaar."