Sep 08, 2026 2:33pm IST
Composer Rajiv Sarang on Recording Asha Bhosle’s Last Film Song: ‘She sang the track thrice in its entirety’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Somewhere in mid-July 2023, Asha Bhosle recorded what was to be her last film song, “Ae Meri Zindagi,” for the movie “Om Ka Hari.” The song was released today on the occasion of the legendary singer’s 93rd birth anniversary.
Composed by Rajiv Sarang and written by Pradeep Sharma ‘Khusrau,’ a devotee of Amir Khusrau, it is a spirited number that goes, “Aye meri zindagi tu chhupi hai kahaan.” Bhosle was almost 90 when she recorded the song.
About the legendary singer lending her vocals, Sarang says, “My first impression of Ashaji was “Raat Akeli Hai” from “Jewel Thief” when I was just 12 years old. In that single song, her vocal range went from tenor to soprano. That taught me how many dimensions there could be in music, and today it feels like a dream that I could record with her.”
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Vyas further adds, “The first point that struck me about her was that, at the age of 90, she had the shararat (naughtiness) of a 19-year-old. The words of this situational song were very philosophical and I thought that a mature voice was needed. I had liked the lyrics and the tune a lot and I mustered the courage to go to her. She loved the song and she just said, ‘I want to do this!’ She always liked to sing a song standing and she did so here as well, firmly holding on to a chair.”
Vyas goes on, “The recording engineer suggested that we should cut and paste the song. She asked why we should do that when she could sing the entire song. And she sang it thrice in its entirety. I learned a lot from her dedication, professionalism, sheer passion and honesty.”
The First Ray Films production stars Raghubir Yadav (who has also rendered two Kabir bhajans in the film), Anshuman Jha, Soni Razdan and Ayesha Kapur. The film releases on September 18.
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