Saira Banu Reflects on Cherished Friendship with Asha Bhosle
Legendary singer Asha Bhosle and veteran actress Saira Banu shared a profound professional and personal bond that spanned decades, marked by iconic songs such as Main Chali, Zindagi Ittefaq Hai, Tujhko Dekh Kar, and Mohe Tirchhi Najariya Na Maro. Over the years, their collaboration in cinema blossomed into a warm and enduring friendship, with Saira recently opening up about their cherished memories in an emotional interview.
Early Studio Days and Musical Camaraderie
Recalling her initial encounters, Saira Banu described meeting Asha Bhosle at a recording session. "I first met Asha ji at a recording. During those times, the live orchestra would be outside at a recording theatre, and there would be a cubicle for the singer with a mic. Asha ji, Lata ji, Mohammed Rafi saab, and Mukesh ji were such wonderful people that they would let us, actors, sit with them inside the cubicle. We got to witness so many live recordings," she shared.
She added that Asha Bhosle would often signal to her during recordings, adjusting her voice to match Saira's youthful and delicate tone. "During 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, very young, and I joined the movies straight out of school. I was a very thin girl with a baarik awaaz. She would keep reminding me that she's changing her voice through her ishaaras inside the recording studio. She was truly effervescent, lovely, naughty, and happy-go-lucky," Saira recounted.
Final Conversations and Sudden Illness
Saira revealed that she had recently spoken to Asha Bhosle during the month of Ramzan, making the singer's passing feel even more personal. "I recently spoke to her during Ramzan. I had seen an interview of hers where she was speaking of Ramzan, Eid, and fasting so lovingly. I was so surprised! She conveyed a beautiful message of unity, togetherness, love, and affection among people. I was thrilled with the way she spoke. She always spoke so well. I called her to speak to her about it," she said.
Reflecting on their last interaction, Saira expressed shock at Asha's sudden decline in health. "That was the last time that I spoke to her, not realising that soon enough, she would be so unwell. It came as a surprise to me. I remember seeing a video of hers attending a function, and she looked terribly weak. That was the last time that I saw her. It was absolutely shocking to see her that way. I never expected her to be so unwell all of a sudden," she added, hinting at Arjun Tendulkar's wedding as the event.
Family Ties and Shared Moments
The bond between their families ran deep, especially through connections with Lata Mangeshkar and Saira's husband, Dilip Kumar. "She and Lata ji have been family friends. We spent a lot of time together. Dilip saab and I shared some meaningful time with them. We are that old-fashioned, classical crowd. We loved sharing stories about life and music. And we loved talking about food. Asha ji was crazy about very good food! She has a restaurant too. I never had anything cooked by her, but she and Lata ji would come for meals at our house. The last time they came home, Lata ji ne apne haathon se Dilip saab ko khaana khilaaya tha. I have photographs from that day," Saira fondly remembered.
Musical Legacy and Individual Styles
Reflecting on the immense contributions of the Mangeshkar sisters to Indian film music, Saira emphasized their unique talents. "Both of them truly changed the path of Indian film music by conforming to what was needed in those times. They sang according to the times and the demand of the people. Lata ji had a style of her own. There were certain kinds of songs that Lata ji wouldn't sing. Those were taken over by the very versatile Asha ji," she noted.
She highlighted Asha Bhosle's versatility, particularly in songs featuring dancing queen Helen. "She sung the tracks featuring Helen ji, such as Mehbooba Mehbooba and Yeh Mera Dil, very differently. They had varying styles, and each was a master of their craft," Saira added.
Emotional Farewell and Loss
An emotional Saira concluded by expressing the pain of losing a dear friend. "Oh, the loss of a friend is such a terrible thing to go through! It's such a terrible thing to lose people that you love. It's awful," she said, capturing the grief felt by many.
Asha Bhosle passed away at the age of 92 in Mumbai. She was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital on April 11 following multiple health complications and died due to multi-organ failure, marking the end of an era in Indian music. Her legacy continues to inspire generations, remembered through her timeless songs and the heartfelt memories shared by friends like Saira Banu.
