Posted on 04/12/2026 12:28:09 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Bollywood icon and singer Asha Bhosle, known for having performed over 12,000 songs throughout her career, has died from a heart attack aged 92, her family confirms.
A star of playback singing, whereby her songs were used in Bollywood films and then lip synced by actors, Bhosle’s career spanned across eight decades, with her voice being present in several iconic Indian films such as Umrao Jaan, Ijaazat and Caravan.
Her marriage to composer RD Burman also saw the couple collaborate on many works, with the pair making significant contributions to the sound of Bollywood for a quarter of a century in a variety of different genres and styles.
Bhosle was born in the Sangli state of then-British ruled India in 1933 into a musical family, with her father, Deenanath Mangeshkar, having been a notable actor and composer, and her older sister, Lata Mangeshkar, who was also a prominent playback singer.
Her first taste of performing came at the age of 10 when she sang the song ‘Chala Chala Nav Bala’ in the film Majha Bal, and would go on to solidify herself as a beloved household name in her native India during the 1950s and ‘60s with countless performances in notable Bollywood films.
She would also become noted in the UK when Leicester band Cornershop, fronted by British-Indian songwriter Tjinder Singh, hit the top of the charts with the Fatboy Slim remix of their song, ‘Brimful of Asha’, which was named after the iconic singer.
Other notable collaborations outside of Bollywood and the Indian music industry include her work with Boy George on the song ‘Bow Down Mister’, being sampled in the Black Eyed Peas’ ‘Don’t Phunk With My Heart’, and releasing the song ‘You’re The One For Me’ alongside Australian test cricketer Brett Lee.
Bhosle continued to work late into her life, celebrating her 90th birthday with a concert in Dubai, as well as contributing vocals to ‘The Shadowy Light’ on Gorillaz’ 2026 album, The Mountain.
She is survived by her younger brother and sister, as well as her youngest son, Anand.
Cornershop - Brimful Of Asha, Norman Cook Mix [90'S British tribute to Asha Bhosle]
Surprised this isn’t from Steyn Online!
Bollywood movies are fun. I watched one the other night that featured horrific realistic war scenes but yet, still, the soldiers, in the middle of a war, jumped in to a dance and singing routine.
“Swaaan…ABOUT!”
‘Bollywood’...LOL!
Brimful of Asha on a 45!!!
Isn’t that Pig Latin for...oh, never mind...😉
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.