She sang the chartbusters Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche in Brahmachari, Tumse Oh Haseena Kabhi Mohabbat Na Maine Karni Thi in Farz and Ajhu Na Aaye Balma in Saanjh Aur Savera.
Lataji had once picked her favourites, albeit reluctantly, and told Subhash K Jha just why they were so close to her heart.
Because of Mukesh's much-hailed association with Raj Kapoor, it is often overlooked that the singer has also scored hits with almost all major heroes. On Mukesh's 102nd birth anniversary on July 22, Dinesh Raheja recalls some of his classic songs.
After spinning into the spotlight with the hit song-and-dance number Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu in Howrah Bridge (1958), Helen signed scores of films as a dancer. But Helen was raring to step out of her dancing shoes, and play heroine instead.
Subhash K Jha lists the inimitable Mohammad Rafi's five most enduring romantic songs.
Songs from big ticket movies regaled on the strength of spunk and swagger even as pre-existing bangers like Diljit Dosanjh's Lover in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, Kohraa's Beqarar Karke Humein in Jawan and an Iranian wedding favourite Jamal Kudu in Animal grew a brand new fanbase in the course of enhancing the storytelling values.
It's the most romantic day of the year, and the best time to hum romantic songs!
Sholay's Basanti is the face of women's empowerment and gender equality. That's why, half a century after the movie first released, we're still talking about her.
'He had wanted to present me in the likes of the heroines of the 60s whose churidar-kurta look with winged eyeliner and bouffant had captivated fashionistas at the time.'
'I was completely in awe of him. After the shot was okayed, I would quickly run back to my chair and sit quietly till I was called again.'
Many believe Kishore Kumar serenaded the ladies better than any other iconic playback singer.
'I am proud to say she was my voice in all my best songs.'
Sukanya Verma lists her 15 favourite Hindi songs of 2022 in no particular order.
'The thing about Balaji was that he brought his own special flavour and energy to every song he sang.' 'In that sense, he was like Kishoreda.'
'Even after Awaara Hoon and Mera Joota Hai Japani, between 1946 to 1963, there were plenty of upheavals in his career. My parents had moved into two rooms of a chawl, with an attached bathroom, by then, but life was hard, and often there was no food at home.'
'Salilda and my brother Hridaynath would deliberately make my compositions tough.' 'Their logic was, "You can do it, so why should we not compose accordingly?",' Lata Mangeshkar, who would have turned 94 today, September 28, 2023, once told Subhash K Jha.
Forty four years after Mohammed Rafi's untimely demise on July 31, 1980, at the young age of 55, the singer's work continues to enjoy a musical afterlife on radio, television and modern streaming channels.
As India successfully lands Chandrayaan-3, does the moon look as beautiful as one's beloved or has the Chanda Mama of folk ditties acquired a whole new meaning?
Anu Malik reveals how Baazigar revived his career.
In these pandemic stricken, music bereft times, what can be more joyous than a playlist of golden melodies?
Renowned ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas, whose velvet smooth voice gave expression to the many colours of love, longing and heartache in songs such as Chitthi Ayee Hai and Aur Ahista Kijiye Baatein, died in Mumbai on Monday, February 26, 2024, after a prolonged illness.
'I broke into Hindi cinema with Tere Mere Sapne and the song Aankh Mare become a big hit.' 'And now that song has become a rage again in Simmba.'
Long before she won royalty rights for playback singers, there was an undisclosed incident in Lataji's life where she not only put a male colleague in place, but also refused to sing with him thereafter.
S P Balasubrahmanyam sang songs about life and loss with enough soul to break your heart, notes Sukanya Verma.
Sukanya Verma presents a playlist of 100 Lata Mangeshkar songs from different decades of Hindi films -- songs that make me sing, smile, sob and sigh.
Sukanya Verma lists significant memories in our 1996 recap.
Biswajit, movie heart-throb of the 1960s, remembers The Legend.
Varsha Bhosle salutes that effervescent icon of Indian cinema, Dev Anand.
'It is because of him I am in India,' says the Bollywood superstar's rumoured girlfriend.
Deepa Gahlot lists the most popular Yash Chopra films -- the ones he directed, not produced (yes, so that means no DDLJ) -- that can be watched on OTT.
'I know all good things have to end someday. But memories, especially film memories are special,' says Aseem Chhabra.
Love, fear, sadness, and many more, seen through the filmi lens.
The good old days... Dharmendra and Jaya Bachchan's is a bonding that is special and rare in an industry where friendships are ephemeral. Karan Johar's Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani is their sixth film together, after Guddi, Samadhi, Phagun, Chupke Chupke and Sholay.
Hailed as one of the finest filmmakers of his time, K Balachander, who passed into the ages on December 23, has left behind a rich legacy of hard-hitting films, some of which have been routinely credited with redefining Tamil cinema.
How many of these have aged well?
For generations to come it will be difficult for any other Urdu poet to attain such high standards as Nida Fazli, who passed into the ages on Monday, says Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com.
'My chacha's music is sweet and intoxicating'
'Laxmikant-Pyarelal called upon Abba to ask him to sing this ghazal. "Please sing this ghazal for us. The producer is keen that only you should sing this ghazal, so that it will have the desired effect. But he doesn't have money enough to pay you".' Abba's heart was bound to melt on hearing this. He consented immediately. His daughter-in-law Yasmin K Rafi remembers the legendary Mohammed Rafi who would have been 91 today.
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