Tulip Joshi, Neetu Chandra, Asha Bhosle, YAsh Chopra, Poonam Dhillon, Padmini Kolhapure, Jackie Shroff, Kamia Malhotra, Anju Mahendroo, Delnaz Paul, Bappi Lahiri, Sudesh Bhonsle, Rajiv Paul, Anu Ranjan, Kiran Juneja, Jaspinder Narula, Ranjeet, Siddharth Kak, Randhir Kapoor, Deepshikha, TAnvi Azmi at Poonam Dhillon_s birthday bash in Andheri on 18th April 2009.

Asha Bhosle, Sudesh Bhonsle at RD Burman_s assistant Manohari Singh_s 80th birthday in Dinanath Mangeshkar Hall, Vile Parle East, Mumbai on 9th March 2009.

Priyanka Chopra, Mugdha Godse, Preity Zinta, Asin Thottumkal, Genelia D Souza, Sushmita Sen, Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor, Kareena KApoor, Saif Ali Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan, Arjan Bajwa, Madhur Bhandarkar, Kunal Khemu, Kunal Kapoor, Divya Khosla, Bhushan Kumar, Anushka Sharma, Shahrukh Khan, Prem Chopra, shabana Azmi, Javed Akhtar, Arjun Rampal, FArhan Akhtar, Riya Sen, Raima Sen, Koena mitra, Abbas Tyrewala, Vishal Bharadwaj, Payal Rohatgi, TAnay Chheda, Darsheel Safary, Kiran Juneja, Poonam Dhillon, Shreya Saran, Shreya Ghoshal, Abbas MAstan, Salim Sulaiman Merchant, Alka Yagnik, Padmini Kolhapure, Jagmohan Mundhra, Ramesh Taurani, Mukesh Bhatt, Zoya Akhtar, Vivek Oberoi, Ritesh Deshmukh, TAbu, Irrfan Khan, Neil Mukesh, John Abraham, Adah Sharma, Atul Kulkarni, Purab Kohli, Ashutosh and Sunita Gowariker at 54th Idea Filmfare Awards 2008 on 28th Feb 2009.

Watch Asha Bhonsle, Bhupender, Gulzar recollect their precious moments with Rahul Dev Burman, also known as Panchamda.

Photos from this event

Asha Bhosle with daughter, Amit Kumar, Gulzar, Raza Murad at the inauguration of RD Chowk in Santacruz on 4th Jan 2009

Generations: Ghulam Ali & Asha Bhosle’s latest BIG Offering
Mumbai, October 17, 2008: BIG Music added another feather to its cap with the launch of its latest album – Generations. Legends of Indian music – Ghulam Ali and Asha Bhosle come together after nearly two decades with their latest renditions in the soul stirring album ‘Generations’. Composed by Amir Ali, Ghulam Ali’s son, ‘Generations’ is a romantic album with light romantic lyrics.

Speaking at the launch, Kulmeet Makkar, CEO, BIG Music & Home Entertainment, said, “It is indeed a great honor for Big Music to release ‘Generations. It is an album filled with soulful melody and emotions. Ghulam Ali and Asha Bhosle are undoubtedly two of the most renowned and established musicians in the industry and we are proud to bring one of their finest works to the listeners.”

The resplendent Asha Bhosle, spoke of her long musical journey and her association with Ghulam Ali. “I began my career in 1943. Ghulam Ali began his musical journey after mine and his son Aamir is just starting his. There are 3 ‘generations’ in this album. Keeping this in mind, BIG Music aptly titled the album ‘Generations’, as it denotes Artistes from different times and eras, yet coming together to create what they know best. Soon, the artistes of my ‘generation’ will take their place in the annals of time. What will remain for future ‘generations’ is their legacy and dedicated work in musical works like this album. I am happy to be featured on this album and I thank BIG Music for bringing us all together and for keeping melody alive in these dark ages of music. I hope that past, present and future ‘generations’ appreciate ‘Generations’”.

Ghulam Ali too spoke about his favourite artiste, Asha Bhosle, “I wonder how she managed to do so much as an artiste. What Asha Bhosle has achieved in one lifetime is almost like a dream come true for any performer. I have the honour and pleasure of performing with her and always look forward to our musical journey together”.

The 12 track bonanza, Generations’ features some of the most melodious songs heard in the recent past. Lovers of the sarod and the flute will enjoy songs like ‘Socho Mei Gum Kyoon Hoon’ and ‘Shaam Se’ which is a meditative melody that exhibits the class of the two artists rendering an intricate melody. Music videos of melodic songs like ‘Naina Re’, a glittering composition that befits the vocal talents of Asha Bhosle and Ghulam Ali and ‘Dheere Dheere’ which is a geet-numa ghazal were also launched.

Ghulam Ali’s solo ‘Dil Se’, is a well orchestrated ghazal that talks about the pangs of separation. ‘Ek Lamhe’ is a lament about lost love. Dil Bichadnese’, a traditional Ghazal, delving into a somber mood by Asha Bhosle’s is a master class in vocalizing barring no-holds. ‘Tore Bina’, is like a breath of fresh air with a superb rhythm pattern; a flawless act by the veteran diva.

CDs & cassettes will be available on BIG Music at all leading stores. Consumers can download Ring tones & caller tunes across major telecom networks

Bollywood Singer Asha Bhonsle with Veteran Actor Dev Anand at the song recording of his film ‘Chargesheet’ at Spectral Harmony, Mumbai on Friday, 10 October 2008. After 28 years Dev Anand and Singer Asha Bhosle record a song together.

Asha Bhosle’s 75th Birthday celebration Photos

“It is not a suicide attempt. She took an overdose of some medicine. She is now in the ICU,” a senior police officer told IANS.

Varsha, a journalist, is a divorcee. J.D. Sonawala, the doctor who is attending to her, refused to comment on the matter.

Asha Bhosle_s 75th Birthday celebrations in Taj Land;s End on 8th September 2008

From pop and cabaret songs to club mixes, romantic numbers, bhajans and ghazals – singing diva Asha has sung it all. The magic of her voice continues to enthral listeners across all ages and inspire budding singers even now.

Having sung for actresses of older films like Madhubala, Nutan, Asha Parekh, Helen and Rekha to giving playback to Urmila Matondkar, Kajol, Karisma Kapoor and Gracy Singh among the newer ones, Asha has contributed to the Indian film industry for more than six decades now.

TV actor Kinshuk Mahajan of “Sapna Baabul Ka Bidaai” will feature in the music video of the title song of Asha’s new album. “Asha-ji is like a kid! She is so down to earth and simple. When she called me, she was so sweet to talk to,” Kinshuk told IANS.

“It was so nice to know that she was adamant about taking me for the music video. The song is very romantic. I wish her all the best though I don’t think I would be able to attend the birthday celebrations,” he added.

Asha began her singing career with her first film song “Chala chala nav bala” for the Marathi movie “Majha Bal” in 1943.

When she set out to make a mark in Bollywood with her first Hindi song “Saawan aaya” for Hansraj Bahl’s “Chunariya” in 1948, she faced tough competition from her elder sister Lata Mangeshkar and others like Geeta Dutt, Shamshad Begum, and Suraiya, who dominated the world of playback singing.

Asha showed her charisma with the sensual songs “Aiye meherban” from “Howrah Bridge” in 1958, which was picturised on Madhubala, and “In aankhon ki masti” from “Umrao Jaan” in 1981. She also sang the evergreen number “Chura liye hai tumne” for Zeenat Aman in “Yaadon Ki Baraat”.

Her romantic numbers were also widely lauded with songs like “Haal kaisa hai janab ka” (”Chalti Ka Naam Gadi” 1958), “Mur mur ke na dekh” (”Shri 420″), “Pal do pal ka saath hamara” and many others.

“She is simply blessed and her voice is god’s gift. Not many have a voice like hers. More than a singer, she is a performer who has a feel for every song. One should see the expressions with which she performs on stage – she enjoys each and every bit of it,” new-age pop singer Shibani Kashyap said.

She added: “Her zeal and zest for life is very inspiring. She lives life to the fullest and this is evident from her singing.”

Born into the musical family of Pandit Dinanath Mangeshkar, Asha took her initial training in music from her father. Her father died when she was just nine and her training came to an end.

After his death in 1942, the family moved from Pune to Kolhapur and then to Mumbai. Asha and her elder sister, Lata Mangeshkar, started singing in films to support their family.

The year 1957 was the breakthrough year for Asha when music director O.P. Nayyar got her to sing in “Tumsa Nahin Dekha” and “Naya Daur”. “Ude jab jab zulfein teri” from the latter film still remains a favourite among music lovers.

The same year the legendary S.D. Burman had a rift with Lata Mangeshkar. This came as a blessing in disguise for Asha, who soon became his favourite female singer.

In the 1970s Asha came closer to another legend of Indian music, R.D. Burman, who added a new and stylish dimension to her singing. The songs “Piya tu ab to aaja”, “Dum maro dum” and “Chura liya hai tumne” were a result of this combination. The two also tied the nuptial knot in 1980.

Her ghazals in Muzaffar Ali’s “Umrao Jaan” fetched huge accolades and remain an all-time favourite.

In 1995, a 62-year old Asha did playback for young actress Urmila Matondkar in the movie “Rangeela”. She pleasantly surprised her fans with superhit songs like “Tanha tanha” and “Rangeela re” after which she also sang for Karisma Kapoor in the song “Mujhko hui na khabar”.

For her contribution to music in Indian cinema, Asha was conferred the Dada Saheb Phalke Award, the highest title in Indian cinema in 2000. She was also honoured with the Padma Vibhushan by President Pratibha Patil May this year.

Asha’s popularity goes beyond the Indian shores owing to her various foreign collaborations with artistes like Boy George and Stephen Lauscombe. In 2002, she teamed with Michael Stipe on the track “The Way You Dream” on the self-titled album by 1 Giant Leap.

In 2006, she recorded an album “Asha & Friends” with film actors Sanjay Dutt and Urmila Matondkar and cricket player Brett Lee.

– By Radhika Bhirani

Legendary playback singer Asha Bhonsle records with Priyanka Chorpra’s dad Ashok Chopra in Mhada on July 3rd 2008.

(Photos) Mumbai, March 28, 2008: She is the Singing Queen! She has sung innumerable songs with the maverick Kishore Kumar! She knew him like few others do. Who better than Asha Bhosle to decide on the voice that bears a striking resemblance to that of Kishore Kumar on K for Kishore?

As the show reaches its penultimate lap, the top five contestants who have beaten stiff competition to reach this far have put the judges Bappi Lahiri, Amit Kumar and Sudesh Bhosle in a quandary as to who should be the winner. Even special judge Nagesh Kukunoor who is in search of the “voice” of Kishore Kumar for his biopic on the late actor-singer-composer is yet to make his final choice.

So here comes the ‘maha guru’, Asha Bhosle, to help resolve the dilemma. The singer par excellence believes there can be no singer like Kishore Kumar. Even the best among aspirants can only be a distant shadow of his voice. Nevertheless, she has consented to do the honours and find the winner on the show that is the first of its kind amongst reality shows.

So who amongst the top five die-hard Kishore bhakts: Nayan Kumar Rathod, Chetan Rana, Arnab Chakraborty, Chintan Balkiwala and Challenger K Shailendra will be able to convince the ‘maha guru’? Will it be Nayan Kumar who has several years of singing experience or the quiet but very talented Chetan Rana with a lot of stage shows to his credit? Will it be the two talented singers who have already made their debut as playback singers – Arnab Chakraborty who sang Wada Raha from Khakee or K Shailendra whose debut song was for Suneil Shetty’s Khel? Or will the complete novice Chintan Balkiwala, dark horse of the show, walk away with the honours?

Asha Bhosle will come, hear and decide… It’s going to be a tough task to convince her that there could be an heir apparent to the legend!

(Photos) Amit Deshmukh the son of Vilasrao Deshmukh Chief Minister of Maharashtra on Thursday married Aditi Pratap Ghorpade a TV actress. Arjun Rampal, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhonsle, Shaina NC, Rekha, Vaishali Samant, Harsh Goenka, John Abraham, Anjala Zaveri, Jeetendra, Arjun Rampal, Farhan Akhtar and Vivek Oberoi were seen at the event. The ‘baarat’ of the Amit Deshmukh saw bigwigs from politics, business & entertainment industry in attendance even as the groom’s younger brother & actor Ritesh Deshmukh danced on the tunes of dhols and nagadas. Aditi is the daughter of Bangalore-based businessman Pratap Ghorpade who belongs to a family of Marathas who settled in the South centuries ago.

Well, coming down to business, we HAVE to talk about Bipasha. “To be single or not be single – that is the question” is what must be going through her mind right now. She has been hitched together with everyone from long time ex Dino Morea to new single man – Saif Ali Khan. Everyone is going in a frenzy talking about the alleged break up between John and Bipasha and are not even giving the poor guy a chance. Well, latest word is that John is blaming certain “mischief makers” who are trying to ruin his amazing life and he is promising that if they cause any damage, he will personally take them to task. Well, they better watch out because no one in their right minds would want to get on the wrong side of this hunk.

IIFA has made such a big splash – what with the publicity and Yorkshire and the special performances, but is it not enough already? We mean come on! How much do you want to promote your event? So this one is for all those who think the same thing and are tired of seeing IIFA where ever they go. It is a very less publicized fact that IIFA had plans to rope in south super star Rajnikant by presenting him with a very special award. But sadly for them, the great man, who generally shuns awards, had to refuse, citing that he is completely tied down with the release of his new film – Sivaji. Well, we cheer for him as it is not everyday that Amitabh Bachchan – the ambassador for IIFA gets turned down.

Now one might be led to think that our actors are not paid well enough as they are looking for alternate vocations all the time. Singing seems to be a popular option. Amitabh proved this with Aby Baby and god! We hope that does not happen again. But looks like we are in for a second round of it with Asha Bhonsle’s new album titled “Asha with Friends.” Apparently, she has a lot of celebrities jamming with her for this one. Can you believe she even managed to get some action out of Brett Lee’s vocal chords?! She must be one persuasive woman. Anyway, the latest star to get roped in is none other than our own disco dancer – Mithun da. We sure hope that he can sing as well as he can dance…

Talking about alternate careers, looks like Irrfan Khan is trying the item girl’s route, sorry, item boy’s route to success. Known for always experimenting with roles, this time he actually does an item song for his latest flick Teesri Manzil. Navneet Baj Saini, the director of the film can’t stop saying how his film is different as it portrays all the actors in roles that are removed from their usual styles. Well, Sabina Khan is in for a really great time doing this one. Stop it! bet you are thinking about Irrfan in a reveling outfit gyrating to disco beats…can’t say it does not work for his profile as a comic actor though…

Did you think this was all? No way! We were actually saving the best for the last as this last one is going to blow your minds away. Did you catch KANK? Well, though it was not a bad film, a lot of the aam janta did not see it or like it because of the “other woman” thing. Rani should have really taken a clue from that, but this bong chick has turned a blind eye to it as now she actually went and did it. Aditya Chopra recently left his wife to be with Rani Mukherjee and just to show that this is not a casual affair, the pair actually got engaged yesterday! Does that sound surreal or what? They got engaged secretly without any celebration at Aditya’s mansion in Juhu. Well, dad Yash Chopra is not very happy about these developments. Shows that it does not matter how broad minded you are in your films, when it is a matter of your own life, everyone is closed minded.

In fact, both father and son have not been on talking terms with the latest developments and Aditya does not even live with them anymore. Now what needs to be seen is whether they allow this to affect the business because that could mean serious repercussions. The Chopra Empire is worth more than 1000 crores and if the son leaves, this will affect it very badly. Also, at 29, what will Aditya do without his dad’s very useful name? Coming back to Rani, well, this is so not going to go down well with her fans as no one in India likes this sort of a thing and she has always been looked upon as cultured. But knowing Bollywood, this will be the talk of town for a couple of days and then things will pretty much settle down, like they have in the past.

Ok…we can see that we have thrown more at you than you can digest and so we will wrap it up here for the day. We don’t want you to call in sick because of indigestion. So kick back and relax. We will see you soon with more great news from our Mumbai nagaria’s greatest reality show -Bollywood.

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