Lataji says shares a special bond with the entire Roshan family. “Rakesh and Rajesh Roshan’s father the great composer Roshan Saab was very close to me. I was very fond of him and his wife Ira. Roshan Saab’s songs for me were always a special challenge and a treat to sing. My songs like ‘Sansar Se Bhaage Phirte Ho’ (Chitralekha), ‘Raat Ki Mehfil Sooni Sooni’ (Noorjhan) and ‘Rahen Na Rahen Hum’ (Mamta) composed by Roshan Saab are hummed to this day.”
Do you know I’ve sung a duet with Iraji? I think it was a for a Dilip Kumar-Nargis starrer Anokha Pyar in 1948. The music director Anil Biswas was looking for a female voice to sing a duet with me. Since she was a trained singer I suggested Iraji’s name. That’s how we sang ‘Ae Dil Meri Wafa Mein Koi Assar Nahin’.”
Lataji ranks Rajesh Roshan very high as a music composer. “Though Raju (Rajesh)’s elder brother chose not to be a music director Rakesh has a great music sense. Just listen to the songs Rajesh Roshan composed for his brother’s films Kaho Na…Pyar Hai, Koi Mil Gaya and Krrish. My association with Rajesh goes back to the time he started his career as a music composer. I sang Raju’s songs in his first two films Kunwara Baap and Julie. My song ‘Yeh Raatein Nayee Purani’ from Julie is one of my favourites. Raju wanted to know if I had that song on my phone. I forwarded it to him.”
She rates Hrithik very highly. “He is brilliant in every role he plays. I’ve watched most of his films. My favourites are Kaho Na…Pyar Hai and Guzaarish.”
Lataji has one guzaarish (request) for her old associates and friends in the film industry. “I wish they would connect with me once in a while. Months and years pass and we don’t communicate. It felt so nice to speak to the Roshans after so long.”
