Amrita Rao makes her television debut with Meri Awaaz Hi Pehchaan Hai today
Roshni Olivera (BOMBAY TIMES; March 30, 2016)

Nikaah's leading lady plays a singer-actress in a show on sibling rivalry alongside Deepti Naval and Zarina Wahab
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 24, 2016)

Nikaah's leading lady, Salma Aagha, who is still remembered for her two evergreen tracks "Dil Ke Armaan Aansuon Mein Beh Gaye" and "Dil Ki Yeh Arzoo Thi Koi Dilruba Mile" from BR Chopra's 1982 Muslim social, is gearing up for an acting comeback with a small screen debut. Titled Meri Awaaz Hi Pehchaan Hai, the show features her as an actress-singer, alongside Deepti Naval, Zarina Wahab, Amrita Rao and Aditi Vasudev.

"I took it up because I get to play what I am in real life. Singer-actress characters are close to my heart. I've been offered shows before but a daily soap isn't my cup of tea. My daughter, Sasha, pushed me into accepting this one. I've done concerts and mushairas all over the world and will be singing in the show as well," reveals the veteran, who is currently in Lucknow for a concert.

The show chronicles the journey of two sisters who are singers, from their childhood, through their teens and prime, focusing on their professional rivalry along the way. Speculations are rife that the sisters are modelled on Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle. While Deepti and Zarina play the older versions of the protagonist sisters, the younger roles are portrayed by Aditi and Amrita.

Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 26, 2015)

Her maternal grandmother, Anwar Begum, had acted in Heer Ranjha with her grandfather Jugal Kishore Mehra in 1932 and her mother, Nasreen, with K L Saigal in AR Kardaar's Shahjehan in 1946. But surprisingly, light-eyed beauty Salma Aagha was more interested in a career in singing rather than acting. She was in the recording studio for a song rehearsal with Naushad for Chanakya Aur Chandragupta when producer B R Chopra walked in, took one look at her and said, "Yeh meri Nilofer hai!"

His composer-friend tried telling him that Salma was there as a singer, but Chopra was adamant about casting her as the female lead in his upcoming social-drama, Nikaah, and asked her to meet him the next day. He was a good friend of her grandfather's who had been with All India Radio before he entered films like Chopra, who was a journalist. So she went along and he once again reiterated that she was playing the lead in his film.

"That was it! Without any struggle I had landed my big break and I didn't even realise it then," laughs Salma recalling her entry into Bollywood over three decades later.

She was a complete novice but Chopra was the patient mentor-director, explaining every technical detail minutely to her, and Salma put her heart into her performance. So much so that after one particular scene she was so distraught that she just wouldn't stop crying even after the camera stopped rolling.

"Raj Babbar who played my second husband in the film and who has remained a good friend since, reprimanded me saying, 'Why do you take things to heart? It will make you ill.' But I continued crying," she laughs.

Chanakya Aur Chandragupta never got made but Nikaah, earlier titled Talaq, Talaq, Talaq, based on the Sharia laws of divorce and its misuse, opened in 1982. Made on a modest budget of Rs 19 lakh, it was a superhit.

"It was the story of every second home. I work for two NGOs, I've come across many instances of men messing up and women having to pay for their mistakes," says the film's singer-actress who was an overnight sensation.

Salma points out that many singers since have come up with remixed versions of Dil ke armaan aansoun mein bah gaye, even she is coming up with one with my daughter Sasha.

"But none of these versions have been as successful as the original, not because these singers aren't good but because my voice was unique at the time," she reasons.

She adds that many, including the film's composer Ravi, had tried to dissuade Choprasaab from using her voice, insisting he go in for another playback singer. But he was adamant. He not only got her to sing Dil ke armaan but also another solo, Faza bhi hai jawaan jawaan, a duet with Mahendra Kapoor, Dil ki yeh aarzoo thi koi dilruba mile and Chehra chhupa liya hai kisine hijab mein with Mahendra Kapoor and Asha Bhosle. "Dil ke armaan released before the film and was an instant hit. But I didn't know then that this fairly simple song would be evergreen," she admits.

After the film opened she'd visit theatres incognito to gauge people's reactions. And she was overwhelmed when, as she'd heard, she saw people streaming into the darkened auditorium just before Dil ke armaan came on screen. "When it started playing there would be shower of coins and after it was over, all those who had stepped in for a dekko would go away and the doors would shut quietly," she smiles.

Salma didn't win the Filmfare best actress award despite being nominated but she did return home with the black lady after being adjudged the best playback singer (female) for Dil ke armaan. She admits that with Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle also in contention, she didn't think she stood a chance of winning and was happily talking to someone when suddenly she heard her name being announced.

"The auditorium was packed and everyone was looking at me. For a moment my heart stopped beating. Then I stood up and walked to the stage to collect my first Bollywood award," she smiles.

Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; April 2, 2015)

Buzz is that actress Sasha Aagha’s marriage to musician Sachin Gupta is headed for splitsville. In a secret ceremony last year, Sasha, daughter of yesteryear actress-singer Salma Aagha had tied the knot with Sachin, who lived in the same neighbourhood. As Salma was unhappy about it, the two always maintained that they are just close pals.

Says a source, “There were constant differences between the mother-daughter duo over Sachin. Sasha was adamant about being with Sachin against her mother’s wishes while Salma was keen that she concentrate on her professional life. Things took an ugly turn and Sasha has now moved to Dubai.”

Sachin, however, maintains that Sasha has gone to Dubai as her maternal grandfather has not been keeping well. “As for our marriage ( breaking up), it is only a rumour,” he adds.

Sasha remained unavailable for comment.

In May last year, Salma had lodged a police complaint against Sachin at the Oshiwara police station. He was even questioned by the cops in the presence of Salma and Sasha. At that time, Sachin had rubbished reports about the interrogation and said that they were at the police station to complain about water leakage problems in their building.

The actress has featured in films like Aurangzeb (2013) and more recently in Desi Kattey (2014).

Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 5, 2014)

Rumour mills have been working overtime since Thursday about Salma Aagha's daughter Sasha Aagha, who made her debut opposite Arjun Kapoor in Aurangzeb. Buzz is, the 22-year-old has tied the knot with music composer Sachin Gupta, against her mother's wish.

When Mirror called Salma last evening, she hung up after promising to get back. Within minutes, Sasha called to say that she is still single but her mother is no longer opposed to her relationship with Sachin.

Salma has been unhappy about her daughter seeing Sachin. However, the lovebirds continued the relationship even after the former singer-actress filed a complaint against Sachin at the Oshiwara police station in May. A major showdown between the mother and daughter, followed this episode.

When we asked Sasha how she had managed to pacify her mother, she said: "How long could my mother remain angry? I understand her concern. She feels we should both concentrate on our respective careers. But eventually she realised that we are really serious about each other and gave in. Sachin and I have known each other for six years and have been together for two years."

When quizzed on the subject, Sachin echoed her words, saying, "Sasha and I are madly in love. She is a lovely girl. And now Salma aunty is fine with our relationship. But contrary to rumours, we haven't got married yet."

Sasha chirped up saying that people have misunderstood their relationship status because Sachin sometimes calls her 'wifey'.

Gaurav Dubey (MID-DAY; May 3, 2014)

The wee hours of Friday saw a fair share of drama unfold at the Oshiwara police station. It seems that former actress Salma Aagha, who is apparently upset about her daughter Sasha Aagha dating music director Sachin Gupta, went to the police in order to lodge a complaint against him.

Says a source, “Sasha Aagha and music director Sachin Gupta are said to be in love. But Salma Aagha is opposed to this relationship. In fact, the music director has been dating Sasheh for a while now and Salma has been upset about this. So she went to the Oshiwara police station to file a complaint against him.” Soon after, the music director came to the police station accompanied by girlfriend Sasheh. “The police witnessed a Salma-Sasha face off and they had to step in to control the situation,” says the source.

However, Sachin Gupta had another version to offer. “There has been a misunderstanding. We went to the police to sort out a water leakage problem in our building and it has already been resolved. Salmaji is a beautiful singer and I respect her a lot. There’s nothing between me and Sasha; we are just good friends.”

Sasha too denied her relationship with Sachin Gupta. “I really don’t know where this has come from, because we went to the police to sort out a water leakage problem. Sachin is a sweetheart and there’s nothing between us. Even if there was something, why would my mother go to the police station. We stay in the 21st century and nobody does such a thing now. Whoever gave you this story needs to come up with something better,” she said A source at the police station, however, confirmed the story. “Yes, Sachin Gupta was called to the station. Sasha and Salma Agha too were present at the police station, where Sachin was questioned about his relationship with Sasha. After briefly questioning the couple, the cops allowed them to go.”

(With inputs by Shiva Devnath)