They say that a small tree can never grow under the shade of a big one, but if anyone proved it wrong, it was Asha ji. Lata ji [Mangeshkar] was a goddess [in Hindi playback singing]; no singer could hold their own in front of her. Many singers tried to sing like her. But Asha ji developed her own style of singing and created her own identity. The Mangeshkar sisters ruled the Indian film music industry for over 55 years.

Life experiences create depth, and that was present in both of them. She sang her first song when she was only 10 years old. That means an 83-year career and what an impact she has left!

I will always remember what Ashaji told me once. She said, ‘When you look for happiness in life and relationships, you may be hurt. True happiness lies only in your work. If you think you have done your work well, that will give you true satisfaction.’

Among my favourite songs that I had written for her is Radha Kaise Na Jale from Lagaan [2001]. There is also Kanha Jo Aaye Palat Ke from Sardari Begum [1996]. When I would write the lyrics, I would know that only Ashaji could sing it.

In Rahul Rawail’s film [Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya, 1997], she was to sing a song with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. It was a challenging tune, and Asha ji realized it was her agni pariksha. She heard it twice with rapt attention before going behind the mic. When she sang it, Nusrat Fateh Ali couldn’t stop saying, ‘Waah, waah!’

Javed Akhtar recalled how he interviewed Lata Mangeshkar for a TV channel, where she reflected on her sister Asha Bhosle’s versatility. He said, “Lata ji told me, ‘Asha can sing the songs that I have. Lekin Asha ne jo saare gaane gaye hai, woh saare gaane main nahin gaa sakti’.”