When Asha Bhosle Thought She Won't Get Work Because Of 'Didi' Lata Mangeshkar

Asha Bhosle and her late sister Lata Mangeshkar have constantly been among the most enduring vocalists in the industry. Their relationship was seen as competitive because they worked in the same music industry. However, did you know that Asha Bhosle once admitted that Lata Didi had overshadowed her, leading her to reevaluate her singing career?

Asha Bhosle had previously recalled how a production man's careless error had completely changed her life in an interview with India Today. Asha has mentioned that she was descended from musicians. Everyone, including her father and sister, was a vocalist. Her voice sounded a lot like Didi's (Lata Mangeshkar), she recalled.

Asha Bhosle said, "Once a man called me. During those days, music records would not have the name of the singers but actors. So the actor in that particular film was Asha (Parekh), and so the record was tentatively titled Asha Pictures. He mistook Didi’s voice to mine. He said, 'Yeh Asha ka gaana hai', I clarified right then, ‘No, its not me. Its my sister’s song. Then he apologised and was like, 'My bad'."

ALSO READ - Asha Bhosle Suffers Cardiac Arrest, Hospitalised In Breach Candy Hospital 

ALSO READ - Asha Bhosle Meets Union Home Minister Amit Shah Ahead Of 91st Birthday; Sings ‘Abhi Na Jao Chhod Kar’

'I Will Never Get Work Because Of Didi': Asha Bhosle

Asha Bhosle went on to say that she endured many restless nights as a result of this occurrence. Classic songs like Aaja Aaja from Teesri Manzil, O Mere Sona Re from the same film, Piya Tu Ab To Aaja (Caravan), and Do Lafzon Ki Kahani (Don) were all sung by the singer.

"I thought to myself, if I will continue to sing in a similar voice to didi, then I will never get work as long as didi is in the business. I won’t have a name and fame of my own. After this incident, I began to change my style of singing. I started to watch English movies to learn western songs, observe how they would sing in English. I also learnt how to sing Qawwali, Ghazal, the voice modulations needed in different form of singing. I started to learn it all," Asha Bhosle added.

'There's Definitely Competition Between Us': Asha Bhosle

Asha Bhosle said in the same interview that she had to use tremendous caution whenever she recorded with Didi. Asha had stated that she needed to be ready for the new element she would include in this song. "There was definitely a competition between us. It was a healthy one. This (competition) enhanced our songs."

Asha Bhosle has recorded 12,000 songs in about 20 different languages, setting a Guinness World Record. She has also won the Padma Vibhushan and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.