Mumbai, Apr 12 (PTI) Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma still remembers the day singer Asha Bhosle walked in the studio to record for his Hindi debut “Rangeela” with the “poise of a queen”.
Asha died on Sunday at the age of 92 due to multi-organ failure at a private hospital here.
“She walked into the recording studio with the poise of a queen but approached the work with the wide-eyed, child-like curiosity of a newcomer. She was hungry to experiment with a new age music director like Rahman,” Varma told PTI in an interview.
That new age music director was A R Rahman and their collaboration led to one of the most youthful songs to come out of the industry as Asha sang “Tanha Tanha” to Urmila Matondkar’s Milli dancing in abandon.
The director, who also worked with Asha in his later films including “Company”, said the singing legend had the rare ability to blend classical traditions with contemporary beats.
“She’s my most favourite singer and I was like we have to have her in ‘Rangeela’,” Varma said, adding that she was not just any singer but the “heartbeat of an entire era”.
“From sensuality to soul stirring depth, she captured the complete full spectrum of human feeling like no one else ever.” Bhosle sang two songs in “Rangeela” – ‘Tanha Tanha’ and ‘Rangeela Re’ – picturised on Matondkar. Both the songs instantly became a huge hit.
“In ‘Rangeela’, it’s AR Rahman who composed the music but it was Asha ji’s voice that infused it with a raw energy and youthful fire, Varma said.
“Urmila’s electrifying moves on the raw, pulsating streets of Mumbai fused seamlessly with Asha ji’s playful sensuality, mischievous energy, and unimaginable vocal range, creating pure cinematic magic that redefined the film music’s rebellious spirit.” The director noted that coincidentally it’s the 24th anniversary of his film, “Company”, in which Asha sang yet another iconic track, ‘Khallas’. It was picturised on actor Isha Koppikar.
“That ultra seductive, high-octane number, with its thumping rhythm and Asha ji’s commanding voice became a quintessential item song that still pulses with undefined energy,” Varma said. PTI KKP BK BK ATR ATR
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