I lip-synced for the first time with her song in Kashmir Ki Kali (1964), Deewana Hua Badal. Plus, Ashaji was there when I gave my first shot. After the shot, she gave me a big hug. For a newcomer, it makes such a difference when somebody of Asha Bhosle’s stature says kind words to you. She need not have, but she did. 

I have always been grateful to her for that. All the songs she sang for me were beautiful. There was Zubi Zubi, Raat Ke Humsafar, Le Jaa Le Jaa in An Evening in Paris (1967) — all different songs. Lataji [Mangeshkar] and Ashaji were the only voices for a long time in Indian films. Ashaji kept in touch throughout. We would meet at award functions, and sometimes she would call me just to say, ‘I saw an old film and I liked you again’.”

As told to Priyanka Sharma