Sandra Fernandes (BOMBAY TIMES; June 9, 2018)

She has sung some of the most popular songs in the Hindi film industry in her career spanning nearly six decades, yet, when you talk to Asha Bhosle, there is a simplicity and an air of humility that you feel. In a candid chat, the legendary songstress talks about how music directors today sound confused, performing on stage and more...

What are your thoughts on the kind of music and songs that the Hindi film industry is churning out today?
The music today is all about what the film demands. In fact, a lot of the time, it depends on the hero of the film. The hero dances, chooses his songs and even sings wonderfully most of the time, that’s how music is made these days.

What sort of changes have you seen in the music industry over the past few years?
I’ve seen so many changes. To start with, the lyrics of the songs are not good. Films these days demand dhamaka in their songs, halla hona chahiye. So, the lyrics are written according to the demand and the music is produced in a similar fashion. I feel that music directors these days are confused about what they should give their audiences. I miss the songs from the earlier years and miss the music directors from that era. They were knowledgeable about music and were extremely good and confident at their job.

Singers today know how to sing, dance and have great stage presence too. Your thoughts…
Yes, they perform on stage, they dance and sing as well, but I don’t understand that. While singing you can dance a little, but you can’t jump around on the stage and sing at the same time. Then you have to play the song and lip-sync to it. A lot of people do it. No matter how well they sing and perform, a singer shouldn’t cheat the audience, because people come to watch you sing. People will come to watch me on stage, how I look and sing when I perform.

One actress you enjoyed lending your voice to?
I loved singing all my songs. People gave me good songs to sing and I enjoyed them all (laughs). I enjoyed singing for Umrao Jaan.

You’ve sung all kinds of songs — right from romantic, dance and peppy numbers. If you had to choose one song from today, which one would that be?
I don’t know. I’m not aware of any recent songs.

You are well known for your cooking skills. What do you enjoy cooking the most?
I love to cook. Raj Kapoor’s family is very fond of food. They used to tell me, ‘Aap khana itna accha banate ho, aap gaana chod do’. I make maa ki dal and different varieties of biryanis. I feel happy when people enjoy my food. Many of them are no more, like Rajesh Khanna and some members of the Kapoor family. Dev (Anand) saab never ate much, but he enjoyed the food I cooked. Many directors used to enjoy the food, maine har ek ke begum se jaakar khana banana seekha hai.

You are on social media. What prompted you to take the plunge?
There is one person behind every artiste. My son, Anand Bhosle, is that person for me. He told me that I should write a cook book but I refused, as I thought that no one reads a cook book. Then we opened several restaurants in my name in the Middle East and London. He was the one who suggested that I get on Twitter. So, he handles everything and I sing.

What message would you like to give your fans?
Fans are fans, without them we are nothing. No artiste is complete without his/her fans. They have shown me so much love, I want to meet them and interact with them.