Amitabh Bachchan on Asha Bhosle
“Ashaji’s energy and enthusiasm were unbeatable. I’ve seen her during recordings and performing live on stage. She was electric!,” says Amitabh Bachchan.
Continuing to sing Asha Bhosle’s praises, he says, “She ushered in an entirely new concept of vocal emoting with her songs like Piya Tu Ab Toh Aaja and Do Lafzon Ki Hai Dil Ki Kahani. The latter is from my own film (The Great Gambler) and I wish I could have lip-synced that one—it was filmed on Zeenat Aman.”
Remembering both the late Mangeshkar sisters with admiration, he says, “They (Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle) define the entire ethos of feminine beauty in Indian cinema. Actresses looked better when Lataji and Ashaji sang for them. They were the two women voices that ruled the singing world for decades,”
Asked to name a few favourite Asha Bhosle songs, he reeled off several—“Dum Maro Dum (Hare Rama Hare Krishna), Do Lafzon Ki (The Great Gambler), Mera Kuch Samaam (Ijaazat), Aaja Aaja (Teesri Manzil), Chura Liya Hain Tumne (Yaadon Ki Baraat), Sajna Hai Mujhe (Saudagar), Kali Ghata Chaye (Sujata), Paan Khaiya Saiyyan (Teesri Kasam)…I could go on and on.”
