Mumbai: Legendary singer Asha Bhosle passed away at 92, leaving behind not only an unmatched musical legacy but also countless personal stories of warmth, loyalty and generosity. In an exclusive interview to News9Live, author and filmmaker S Ramachandran remembered her not just as an icon, but as his “first muse”.
“I worked with Asha Bhosle in a few music videos when I started my career. She was my first muse,” he said, recalling their collaboration on the album Asha and Friends. The project featured personalities such as Sanjay Dutt, Brett Lee and Urmila Matondkar, who sang and appeared in music videos alongside her.
He shared how she was keen to have industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla participate as well, given a family connection through their grandchildren’s school. While Birla could not join, others did. What stayed with Ramachandran, however, was her generosity. In a video testimonial, she credited him for bringing the personalities together. “Imagine her, giving me credit. She was all heart,” he said.
Ramachandran also reflected on her deep loyalty towards those who stood by her, especially singer Sudesh Bhosle. He narrated an incident from a performance near Kolkata when male singers fell ill at the last minute. In crisis, she sent a simple message through Sudesh’s wife: “Tell him to come immediately.” Without asking about the emergency or payment, Sudesh arrived and saved the show.
That bond endured. During a concert in Pune, when she was battling swine flu and barely able to sing, Sudesh stepped in seamlessly, even performing demanding pieces like Dil Cheez Kya Hai. He energised the crowd, calling out, “Ooparwaalon, taali bajao!” Impressed by his spirit, she told her son Anand that Sudesh should be part of every show thereafter, a promise that held.
Even after decades on stage, she admitted to moments of nervousness. While performing with the Kronos Quartet in London, she wondered how the audience would respond. Her anxiety dissolved when members of the crowd called out to her in Hindi and Marathi, transforming a foreign stage into a familiar embrace.
Her memories of Paris were marked by characteristic candour. Despite being advised by her son Anand to speak only in English, she told the audience, “I do not know English, but I will try my best.” The connection transcended language. She fondly described how French audiences demanded encores through a rhythmic 2+3 clap, “thak-thak, thakk-thakk-thakk”, a signal for her to continue. Though they may not have understood the lyrics, she believed they connected deeply with her sur.
Beyond music, her global appeal extended to cuisine. Her restaurant chain, Asha’s, became a gathering place for international and Indian celebrities alike. In August 2021, the Birmingham branch drew attention when actor Tom Cruise reportedly reordered his meal while filming in the city. Singer Pink, boxer Amir Khan and chef Heston Blumenthal have also dined there.
Bollywood stalwarts including Amitabh Bachchan, Anil Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra frequented her outlets in Dubai, Manchester and Birmingham, while musicians such as Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and Sukhwinder Singh gathered at her Dubai location.
For Ramachandran, these stories underline a larger truth, whether through a microphone or a meal, Asha Bhosle had an unmatched gift for connection. As he remembered her, the refrain felt almost inevitable: Abhi na jao chhodkar…
But through her music, loyalty and love, she never truly will.