From Boy George To Gorillaz: Asha Bhosle’s International Collaborations That Still Surprise Fans Today

From timeless Bollywood classics like ‘Piya Tu Ab To Aaja,’ to ‘Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko,’ legendary singer Asha Bhosle leaves behind one of the most extraordinary musical legacies in Indian cinema. Her voice defined generations, shaping the sound of Hindi film music with unmatched versatility and emotions. Asha Bhosle, who passed away on 12 April, was not only a Bollywood icon but also a global musical force whose influence extended far beyond India.

Did you know that Asha Bhosle also made her mark globally through unique collaborations with international artists? Asha Bhosle has collaborated with several international artists over the years and took Indian music to the world stage.

Asha Bhosle’s Collaboration With Brett Lee

In one of the

most unexpected crossovers between the Hindi music industry and cricket, Asha Ji was joined by Australian fast bowler Brett Lee on a track titled “You’re the One for Me (Haan Main Tumhara Hoon).” Released in 2006, the song features Brett Lee as a foreigner pursuing a romantic interest in India. The music video shows Asha Bhosle stepping in as an advisor, coaching him in Hindi so he can successfully woo the girl.

Boy George

Asha Bhosle collaborated with British singer Boy George on the 1991 track Bow Down Mister, a fusion of Western pop and Indian devotional sounds. The song is known for its unique East–West musical blend.

Kronos Quartet

Asha Bhosle collaborated with the San Francisco-based Kronos Quartet, a world-renowned string quartet, on an album titled You’ve Stolen My Heart. The album was a reimagining of the music of her late husband, R.D. Burman, which blended Western classical strings with Indian percussion. The album was nominated for a 2006 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album.

Michael Stipe

Asha Bhosle teamed up with Michael Stipe, the lead singer of the famous American rock band R.E.M., for a massive global music project called 1 Giant Leap. This ambitious multimedia venture aimed to explore “unity in diversity” by recording musicians from all over the world and mixing their styles together. She featured on the song titled “The Way You Dream” and mesmerized listeners with her voice.

Code Red

In 1997, the iconic singer ventured into the world of ’90s British R&B by collaborating with the boy band Code Red on a romantic ballad titled “We Can Make It.” This unexpected genre crossover was well received, and the group also performed the track live with her at the Channel V Music Awards in Delhi.

Gorillaz

Asha Bhosle’s last international collaboration came with the popular alternative band Gorillaz for their latest album, The Mountain (also released with the Hindi title Parvat). She is featured on the track “The Shadowy Light,” a song about life, death, and the time thereafter. The project also became Asha ji’s final contribution to music.