It’s been almost a month since Asha Bhosle’s demise. We are revisiting Asha Bhosle’s Hindi film songs, she sang for the leading ladies of Hindi cinema across the decades.
After going through 50s and 60s, 70s and 80s in two separate posts, it’s now the 90s and beyond.
As I went through the decades, I observed Asha Bhosle’s voice getting changed as per age advancements. Still till the early 80s, it sounded very fresh. Afterwards, it started showing a bit of signs of aging. And this is not criticism, but an acceptance of the fact that singer’s voices will age too. A bit of widening of the voice etc comes with age. I’m not sure if I’m describing it correctly.
Her voice in the 90s appeared even more aged to me. But her expressions, picking up the exact mood and moulding as per situation won the show. And of course we were aware, it’s past her prime. In fact, as a child grown up entirely in the 80s, I could listen to her previous voice, the then current voice simultaneously. So in the 90s, when I came to the age of understanding the voices properly, I could feel it. As a huge fan of her songs, I still liked her voice.
In the 90s, she had comparatively less songs, and the popular and memorable songs are still lesser.
Though Asha Bhosle sang solos for Raveena Tandon (for Divya Shakti), none of their collaborative songs were popular or memorable.
The majority of the songs Asha Bhosle sang for Kajol (right from the latter’s debut in Bekhudi to DDLJ and Pyar To Hona Hi Tha) were duets. So I couldn’t include her songs on today’s list, though the songs were popular and memorable. For Manisha Koirala as well, Asha Bhosle sang most of the duets (First love letter & Grahan), making me keep her out of the list.
So without a further ado, let’s listen to the songs,
1. Madhuri Dixit –
Making her debut with Abodh (1984) with Rajshree productions, she came to limelight in the late 80s with N Chandra’s cult classic, Tezaab (1988). She rose to stardom throughout the 90s when both the Mangeshkar sisters sang a lot of songs for her, mainly the elder sister. In comparison Madhuri’s songs by Asha Bhosle are relatively lesser. The prominent films were, Thanedar, Khel, Zindagi Ek Jua, all mainly in the late 80s or early 90s.
For today’s list, let’s watch her song from Khel,
Ek Baat Maan Lo Tum – Khel (1992) / Rajesh Roshan – Javed Akhtar
A club dance number in a seductive, vivacious mood. We can say, Asha Bhosle was at ease with these songs, which she sang right from the 50s. Her polished, expressive performance is highlighted by Madhuri Dixit’s graceful dancing and great facial expressions. A good song to celebrate their alliance.
2. Juhi Chawla –
Winning the Miss India beauty pageant in 1984, she entered Hindi films with Sultanat in 1986, where Kunal Kapoor was her hero. She became popular with Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak in 1988. She went on to become one of the leading actresses of the 90s with films like Darr, Hum Hain Raahi Pyar Ke, Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, Lootere, Yes Boss, Ishq etc. Though Asha Bhosle sang for her in several films, none of their associations were popular. However, I later thought of adding one song from Lootere (1993) which wasn’t popular, but fits the theme.
Aaja Aanewale Aaja – Lootere (1993) / Anand Milind – Majrooh
Not a particularly great song, but fits today’s theme. Juhi Chawla had a somewhat bold presence in this movie. Her bubbly, demure, girl next door image was somewhat broken by this movie. Asha Bhosle effortlessly sings the high pitched part of the song and the other nuances too. Not an otherwise visually appealing song.
3. Urmila Matondkar –
She rose to fame as a child artist in Masoom (1983) to join as a main lead in Narsimha (1991) which was directed by N Chandra. Her breakthrough film was Rangeela (1995) where Asha Bhosle sang a couple of solos for her. So in a way, Asha Bhosle was an important part of her success story. She went on to act in a number of Hindi films by Ram Gopal Varma and other directors including a few of her acclaimed performances.
The song added today is obviously,
Tanha Tanha Yahan Pe Jeena – Rangeela (1995) / A R Rahman – Mehboob
Asha Bhosle received a special Filmfare award for her songs from Rangeela. Asha Bhosle indeed sang for a few generations of actresses across the decades. This song along with the title track of the film (which was a duet with Aditya Narayan) were very popular. Though the film was criticised to some extent because of Urmila’s bold look, the film was a box office success.
4. Tabu –
Tabassum Hashmi, known by her short n sweet Tabu, made her debut in South India before turning to Hindi cinema. Though she signed Prem (1995) first, her first release was Pehla Pehla Pyar (1994). She was noticed in Vijaypath (1994) and then she never looked back. She portrayed strong and at times complex onscreen characters in Hindi films, receiving Best actress awards multiple times, both National and Filmfare. Her major collaboration with Asha Bhosle was for a very popular song, which I’m sharing today,
Mujhe Rang De – Thakshak (1999) / A R Rahman – Sukhwinder Singh
A R Rahman composed for the movie and a few of the songs were popular. Tabu plays a dancer and had a couple of dances picturised on her. This song is a stage performance. It was Asha Bhosle’s yet another popular song with Rahman after Rangeela. The song still maintains popularity.
5. Karisma Kapoor –
Making her debut in the early 90s, she was the first daughter of the Kapoor family to enter films. In her initial films, she was paired with Govinda making them a popular on screen couple in Hindi films of the 90s. Later however she evolved into serious and meaningful roles, getting acclaim in ‘classes’ as well.
Though Asha Bhosle sang for her on several occasions, the one that got popular was the dance number from Dil To Pagal Hai.
Mujhko Hui Na Khabar – Dil To Pagal Hai (1997) / Uttam Singh – Anand Bakshi
After the credit song is over, the film opens with this stage dance performance which is shown to be a part of the musical play acted and directed by Rahul (Shah Rukh Khan). The song very soon became popular with its unique dance steps choreographed by Shaimak Dawar. The film version was, however, a duet by Asha Bhosle and Udit Narayan. It was only revealed when I watched the film in the first week of its release. Asha Bhosle is very much at home in the song, which highlighted the film and Karisma Kapoor’s dance.
6. Ayesha Jhulka –
After a popular debut with Salman Khan in Kurban (1991), Ayesha became popular in the early 90s with films like Khiladi (1992) and Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992). Later she continued acting till the late 90s, though only a few films could attain the same popularity.
Asha Bhosle sang for her in a few Hindi films, notably Khiladi (1992) and Balma (1993). But the majority of the songs were duets. Still one song qualified,
Mehendi Se Likh Gori – Balma (1993) / Nadeem Shravan – Sameer
Asha Bhosle sang solos and duets for this movie under the baton of Nadeem Shravan. Though the duets were popular, including the title track of the movie, her only solo was not very popular. The song depicts Karwa Chouth being celebrated in the household where Ayesha jhulka and her friends perform all the rituals. There’s however a touch of melancholy to the song.
7. Sonali Bendre –
She made her Hindi film debut in 1994 and received the best debutant award. She rose to fame in the late 90s when she acted in Diljale, Zakhm, Major Saab, Hum Saath Saath Hain, Sarfarosh etc. She continued her Hindi film career, as well as South Indian films in the 2000s.
I could get just one song for today’s list,
Kaise Mukhde Se Narare Hataaun – English Babu Desi Mem (1996) with Chorus / Nikhil Vinay – Yogesh
I’m not aware of the situation in the song, I haven’t watched the movie. The film was not very popular and hence her pairing with Shah Rukh Khan wasn’t much talked about. A song that sounds like a Qawwali and it’s picturised like one too, if not in a traditional way. A Qawwali singer usually never dances, here Sonali dances with the other dancers. The song maintains the aura of Qawwali and Asha Bhosle does a wonderful job.
8. Aishwarya Rai –
The former Miss World started her film career in South Indian movies to enter Hindi films in the same year. The film was Rahul Rawail’s Aur Pyar Ho Gaya (1997). Asha Bhosle sang for her in her Hindi debut film itself. Later her popular song for her was for Taal (1997). Aishwarya Rai became one of the most popular and acclaimed actresses of Bollywood. Her popular roles were from, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999), Mohobbatein (2000), Devdas (2002), Raincoat (2004), Dhoom 2 (2006), Jodha Akbar (2008), Guzarish (2010), Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016) etc. She also acted in International projects like, Provoked, Bride and Prejudice etc.
Thoda Sa Pagla Thoda Deewana – Aur Pyar Ho Gaya (1997) / Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan – Javed Akhtar
Aishwarya Rai’s debut film had songs composed by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and were popular. This energetic dance number has Aishwarya Rai dancing to the tune. The song mentions about how she wants her beloved to be like! He should be somewhat crazy, a little mad, but fully devoted to her. The song talks about many cities in India, mentioning their speciality. An audio visual treat!
9. Sushmita Sen –
She won Miss India in 1994 where Aishwarya Rai became the first runner up. She went on to win Miss Universe and soon entered Hindi films. Her debut was Mahesh Bhatt’s Dastak (1997). Though she acted in a few of the popular Hindi films, notably, Biwi No 1 (1999), Sirf Tum (1999), Aankhen (2002), Filhaal (2002), Main Hoon Na (2004), she perhaps couldn’t secure a firm place in Hindi films. Though she’s a good actress, destiny played its role in her career. She didn’t get many roles of her calibre in Hindi films.
Yeh Lamha Filhaal Jee Lene De – Filhaal (2002) / Anu Malik – Gulzar
A philosophical song, from Meghana Gulzar’s directorial debut and it was critically acclaimed. The film portrayed a complex relationship between friends. The character played by Sushmita wants her life to let her be in the present moment. It’s been a new experience for her as everyday brings her a new surprise, but she has so far managed to cooperate with life.
Asha Bhosle’s perfect and expressive rendition (though her voice sounds a bit strained), the tune and the lyrics, all are good.
10. Pooja Bhatt –
Mahesh Bhatt’s daughter Pooja Bhatt was first seen in a telefilm, Daddy (1989) and the spark in her was clearly visible right from that film. She acted more or less in her father’s films and a few of her notable films were Sadak (1991), Junoon (1992), Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayi (1993), Naaraaz (1994), Chaahat (1996), Tamanna (1997), Border (1997), Kabhi Na Kabhi (1998), Angaaray (1998) and Zakhm (1998).
I think her potential was not fully utilised in Hindi films. After the 90s, she was more into film production and direction.
The song I’ve chosen was very popular in its release, though it couldn’t help the film survive at the box office.
Mere Dil Ka Woh Shahzada – Kabhi Na Kabhi (1998) / A R Rahman – Javed Akhtar
The song was an instant hit, but by that time, Pooja Bhatt was not really at the top. The film as well couldn’t succeed at the box office. The song expresses the longing and hopeful anticipation of her Prince charming. Asha Bhosle’s singing captures the essence of romantic anticipation and longing, perfectly complementing the composition and the poetic lyrics.
11. Amisha Patel –
Amisha Patel’s debut film was Kaho Na Pyar Hai which was released in 2000 and the changing millennium brought a fresh new on-screen pair. Her pairing with Hritik Roshan became popular and the film was a phenomenal success. Later however barring a few exceptions, she couldn’t deliver hit films in Hindi.
It was a sort of trend that time, to add a song later once the film became popular and successful. Such a song was added in Amisha Patel’s debut film and it was by none other than Asha Bhosle.
Janeman Janeman Palat Teri Nazar – Kaho Naa Pyar Hai (2000) / Rajesh Roshan – Sawan Kumar Tak
The song is a party song, Amisha Patel, her friends and Hritik Roshan all are attending and enjoying it. She’s evidently jealous of his friend, and in turn trying to make Hritik jealous. Asha Bhosle nailed the song. Her energy, her laughter in between, her expressions all feel so good. It was perhaps the only occasion when she sang for Amisha Patel.
12. Sneha Ullal –
I know she’s not exactly one of the well known Hindi film actresses now. Her debut with Salman Khan in Lucky – No Time for Love (2005) was popular and she became the talk of the town because of her resemblance to Aishwarya Rai. She was only 18 when the film was released.
Later Sneha couldn’t achieve fame in Hindi films, but was popular and successful in Telugu films.
Does the song need any introduction!
Lucky lips – Lucky – No Time for Love (2005) with Chorus / Adnan Sami – Sameer
I’m awestruck each time I listen to this song. Asha Bhosle, who was in her early 70s, sang for Sneha, who was 17. It’s magical! Though her voice doesn’t sound very young, she has managed to deliver the expressions so well. The song was very popular and continues to be.
Would you add a song?
Disclaimer –
Mehfil Mein Meri, claims no credit for any image, screenshots or songs posted on this site. Images on this blog are posted to make the text interesting. The images and screenshots are the copyright of their original owners. The song links are shared from YouTube, only for the listening convenience of music lovers. The copyright of these songs rests with the respective owners, producers and music companies.
