The passing of the legendary Asha Bhosle marks the end of an era in Indian music, leaving behind a void that can never be filled. As the world mourns the loss of one of its most versatile and beloved voices, music composer Anu Malik recalls her extraordinary legacy and the profound personal bond they shared. To Malik, she was more than just a collaborator; she was a mother figure who nurtured his talent from a young age and stood by him through his most challenging times. Here, he reflects on a lifetime of memories, from their first recording together to the deep emotional connection that defined their relationship.
In Anu Malik’s own words…
“Ashaji has sung such beautiful songs for my dad, the late Sardar Malik. He used to say she’s incomparable. Do you remember a song like Hum Apne Ghar Ko Sajakar, which my dad composed and she sang so beautifully? She used to drop in our house often. In fact, she gave me the name Anu. My parents hadn’t decided on my name when she said, ‘Do it.’
Years later, when I was around 14-15, Dad was composing for a film called Hunterwali 77 (1977). It was produced and directed by Mohan Choti, starring Aruna Irani. I used to hang around during his song sittings and recordings. One day, I was humming a tune which she liked very much and told my dad, ‘We must use his tune.’ I convinced Dad to let me record the song. So, technically, that was my debut song with her.
Those were the days of live recordings. Everyone wondered why she would turn up for a ‘chit of a bit,’ remembering I was only 15. On the appointed day of the recording, I called up her house, and they told me she was unwell. The recording was in Film Centre, and she lived 10 minutes away. I think the producer was irritated that the musicians would have to be paid their day charges without a recording. I lost hope. Please remember, she was the reigning queen then, such a busy artiste recording 4-5 songs daily, so everyone was like, ‘She won’t come.’ But as luck would have it, her car pulled up at the studio. Her arm was in a sling. She came and asked me to hum the song, and she sang it so ebulliently. Some musician sitting in the orchestra scoffed that I wouldn’t be able to do it; she said, ‘He will go far.’ The song was Zulmon Sitam Pe Itraane Waale. Later, she sang so many of my songs for films like Ek Jaan Hain Hum (1983) and Sohni Mahiwal (1984).
I recall during Sohni Mahiwal, she was so overworked, doing shows and recordings back-to-back. It was a big film for my career. We had booked Mehboob Studios with many musicians. But she had a bad throat and was coughing badly. She heard the song, loved it, but said, ‘I can’t do it.’ I was at my wits’ end. We would have to cancel the recording. And she left. I saw her reach the Mehboob Studios lobby, take a flask out of her car, and gargle with salt for about 3-4 minutes. She then said, ‘Okay, I’m ready,’ and she recorded Rab Mujhe Maaf Karen. And it was a huge hit. She told me, ‘I know you need this film badly.’ She said, ‘You had an inherent melody in your tunes like Sohni Mahiwal.’
Later, even when I made a comeback with Baazigar (1993), she sang Kitaaben Bahut Si for me, and what a way she sang it, with harkats and all. She told me Didi (Lata Mangeshkar) and she were watching some songs when the trailer of Main Khiladi Tu Anari and the Chura Ke Dil Mera song came on, and Didi sat up. They were amazed I had composed in “Avro” (descending order). Didi remarked, ‘Finally, some good composers in the industry.’
Ashaji treated me like a son, would serve me lunch. I would drop in at her residence; I was friends with Hemant, Varsha and Nandu. We had a mother-son relationship. How beautifully she sang the title track of Filhaal (2002), written by Gulzar Saab. She told me Pancham would have loved the song.
Once, I was recording for a very big banner, and I was excited to record the song. Ashaji heard it and said she didn’t like the tune; it was very ordinary. ‘You can do much better.’ My ego was hurt; I walked out of the studio. I came back after half an hour and said, ‘Ashaji, you are right, let me compose something better.’ The producers were upset that we had to cancel. Later, I composed a tune for the same song, and Ashaji sang it and said, ‘This is the real Anu. You have so much in you.’ The last song she sang for me was for Begum Jaan in 2017; it was just an amazing experience watching her sing and recount tales of the past.
I remember when I was seriously ill in 2016, she was one of the few people who came to the hospital and said a prayer for me. I will never forget her touching gesture. With her passing, I feel I’ve lost my mother one more time.”
Also Read: “There Must Be Truth to It” – Amaal Mallik Breaks Silence on Anu Malik Controversy
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