Helen Pays One Last Visit To Asha Bhosle, Says Singer Was Her 'Awaaz'

Members

of the Hindi film fraternity arrived to give their condolences to Asha Bhosle's family and say goodbye to the legendary singer. She died at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai on April 12 due to multiple organ failure after complaining of a chest infection and extreme exhaustion. Music composer AR Rahman, actors Ritiesh Deshmukh, Ranveer Singh, Tabu, Asha Parekh, and Vivek Oberoi; and many others came to pay their respects. Among them was former actress and dancer Helen, who said her success in Bollywood was largely due to the hit songs sung by Asha ji. Remembering the late singer, the veteran actress revealed that Asha Tai essentially became her voice in the film industry.

Helen pays tribute Asha Bhosle, her voice in Bollywood

The veteran actress spoke about Asha Tai as she went to see the singer one last time. Helen shared that she had been able to achieve success in the film industry because of Asha's rendition of many hit cabaret songs. She stated, "I was very sad to hear of her death. It's good that I am retired. Bhagwan unko sukhi rakhe [May God keep her happy]. May her beautiful soul rest in peace. Asha ji meri awaaz thi [Asha ji was my voice]."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Zoom TV (@zoomtv)

Asha Bhosle and Helen enjoyed a fruitful association with hit songs such as O Haseena Zulfonwali from Teesri Manzil (1966), Aa Jaane Jaan from Inteqam (1968), and Piya Tu Ab To Aaja from Caravan (1971). The late singer was also very fond of Helen. In an old interview, Asha had said that the actress was so pretty that when she entered the room, she would stop singing to look at her. The singer had also remarked, "I once told her that if I were a man, I would have eloped with her."

Asha Bhosle's funeral

Visitors and well-wishers were requested to visit Asha Tai's residence, Casa Grande, in Lower Parel, Mumbai, to pay their respects. Her funeral was held at Shivaji Park at 4 pm, where she was cremated with full state honours. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and State Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar also attended her last rites. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also mourned her demise and said, "Be it her soulful melodies or vibrant compositions, her voice carried timeless brilliance. I’ll always cherish the interactions I’ve had with her."

In 2022, Asha's elder sister Lata Mangeshkar was also laid to rest in Shivaji Park with full state honours. The 92-year-old 'Nightingale of Indian cinema' was cremated on February 6, 2022.