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28 March 2024

Asha Bhosle talks about daughter's death, Rekha and Dubai concert

Bollywood's legendary singer Asha Bhosle. (SUPPLIED)

Published
By Meesha Kapoor

Seven decades and a lifetime of career highs and personal lows cannot be summed up in mere minutes of meeting one of Indian cinema’s living legends.

Yet, if there is any lesson that life has taught Asha Bhosle, then it’s one of facing her worst fears and persevering in its darkest hours.

Her daughter’s suicide last year shook up the illustrious Bollywood family mere weeks before Bhosle was to make her big screen debut in ‘Mai’.  

Following such a difficult phase, how did she manage to cope up with her first ever movie venture that highlights the relationship of a mother and daughter?

Speaking to Emirates 24|7, a somber Bhosle narrates: “I was in a different world while shooting for ‘Mai’. In one month’s time we were done with the shooting. My daughter passed away after we completed the shooting.”

Now at peace with daughter Varsha’s gruesome death, who shot herself in October last year, Bhosle states: “Whatever had to happen happened after that but had ‘Mai’ been shot today, I would not have been able to do it.”

Prompt her further, and Bhosle is firm that acting in films is not a career path she can ever pursue again.

After joining the industry at the tender age of 10, Bhosle believes that being a part of the Bollywood film industry has made her fearless.

“You should do what makes you happy; when you are doubtful about something, you should not do it,” she advises. “My age is such that I do whatever I like, say whatever I feel like.

“Initially I used to feel scared and think twice before speaking, but now I am fearless. I am 80 now and I finally follow my heart.”

Summing up her 70 years in the music industry, the 80-year old singer is poised to enthrall her Dubai fans in a concert on Friday (Dec 13), highlighting the nuances of her life with the support of actors Rekha and Farooque Shaikh in a talk show format event titled ‘I am Asha’.

Reliving the glory days of ‘Umrao Jaan’, the National Award winning film about the tragic life of a courtesan, Bhosle will also share anecdotes and share brief glimpses of a 70-year career that has seen her sing over 12,000 songs in more than 20 languages. 

These days, however, the singer has now taken a backseat from singing in Bollywood movies.

“I do sing in Bengali films, Kannada, Punjabi even Hindi but not in the big films anymore,” says Bhosle.

She continues: “Everything has changed; song writers aren’t there any more. Although there are some fine songs, their lyrics aren’t appealing and these days more emphasis is on dance numbers because everybody likes dancing.

“Like at weddings the bride, groom and their parents dance. If you notice that it is a cycle where one trend goes, the other comes and someday this will make way for another one. It goes on.”

Apart from singing and acting the actor is well-known for her culinary talent, as well and her chain of restaurants named after her.

"Asha's" is often recommended by those who are a fan of wholesome Indian cooking.

Since, Dubai has won the bid to host Expo 2020, does she plan to expand her chain of restaurants here as well?

“Dubai will definitely benefit a lot from the Expo2020. But I am not sure if I would like to expand Asha’s and open new branches. I have left it to my son to care of that,” she concludes.