Legendary singer Asha Bhosle shared a long-standing professional and personal bond with the veteran actor Saira BanuDelivering memorable songs like Main Chali, Zindagi Ittefaq Hai, Tujhko Dekh Kar and Mohe Tirchhi Najariya Na Maro. Over the years, their association grew beyond cinema into a warm friendship.Recalling her earliest memories, Saira told News18, “I first met Asha ji at a recording session. In those days, the live orchestra was outside in a recording theater and there would be a cubicle for the singer with a microphone. Asha ji, Lata ji, Mohammed Rafi saab and Mukesh ji were such wonderful people that they would let us sit with them as part of the cast. We witnessed so many live recordings.’She added, “In her recordings, Asha ji mujhe ishaara bhi karti thi beech beech mein. Unhone mujhe pehle hi kaha tha ki woh apni awaaz mere liye baarik kar rahi hai. I was a newcomer at that time. I was very, very young and entered films as a very school-leaver girl. I am reminded through her ishaara that her voice is changing inside the recording studio.“
“That was the last time I spoke to him”
Saira revealed that she had recently spoken to the singer, making the loss even more personal.“Recently I spoke to him during the month of Ramzan. I saw an interview of his where he spoke so lovingly about Ramzan, Eid and fasting. I was in awe! He conveyed a beautiful message of unity, solidarity, love and affection between people. I was moved by the way he spoke. He always spoke so well. I called him to talk about him.’“That was the last time I spoke to him, I didn’t realize that he would be so unwell soon. It was a surprise for me. I remember watching a video of him attending an event (promoting Arjun Tendulkar’s marriage) and I saw that he was extremely weak. That was the last time I saw him. It was amazing to see him suddenly well when I had never seen him before.”
‘We were like family’
Saira also spoke about the deep bond that their families, especially, shared Lata Mangeshkar and her husband Dilip Kumar.“He and Lata ji have been family friends. We’ve spent a lot of time together. Dilip Saab and I shared a significant amount of time with them. We’re that classic crowd of yesteryears. We loved sharing stories about life and music. And we loved talking about food. Asha ji was crazy about really good food! She even has a restaurant. I never cooked anything but he and Lata ji used to come to our house for lunch. The last time they came home, Lata ji ne apne haathon se Dilip saab ko khaana khilaaya tha. I have photos from that day.”
“Each one was a master of his craft”
Reflecting on the musical legacy of the Mangeshkar sisters, Saira emphasized their individuality.“Both really changed the course of Indian film music by matching what was needed in those times. They sang according to the times and the demand of the people. Lata ji had her own style. There were certain types of songs that Lata ji would not sing. He took those very versatile, Asha ji”.He added, “Songs featuring dancing queen Helen ji like Mehbooba Mehbooba and Yeh Mera Dil were sung very differently. They had different styles and each was a master of their craft.”
“Losing a friend is terrible”
An emotional Saira concluded: “Oh, losing a friend is terrible what you go through! It’s so terrible to lose people you love. It’s terrible.”Asha Bhosle died at the age of 92 in Mumbai. He was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital on April 11 due to multiple health complications and died of multi-organ failure, marking the end of an era in Indian music.
