The name Mohammed Rafi needs no introduction. Hailed as one of the greatest playback singers in Indian cinema, Rafi lent his mellifluous voice to many chartbusters starring icons such as Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, Shammi Kapoor, Dharmendra, etc.
In an explosive interview with Vicky Lalwani, the late singer’s son Shahid spoke out against singers Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhonsle and how they tried to derail his legendary father’s career.
He alleged that Asha Bhonsle had once claimed that Rafi had no variation as a singer.
Speaking on his father’s unparalleled range and his ability to modulate his voice as per the mood of the song, he said, “You are a learned person; have some shame. Not at this age. I’m telling her directly. Upar waala baitha hai. Mere baap ke baare mein koi kuch bolega toh mere se bardaasht nahi hota (God is seeing everything. I can’t tolerate anyone speaking ill of my father.”
He also refuted Lata Mangeshkar’s claims that he had asked her to forgive him and to sing with him again, as his downfall was imminent and no one was giving him songs. Refuting this claim, Shahid said, “Abba did not say this. Lataji said this,” he revealed.
He also stated that two people approached Muhammad Rafi and asked him to forgive Mangeshkar. He also dismissed all rumours about his father feeling insecure and implied it was Lata who feared being replaced by younger talent. “It was the ‘60s. Many new and upcoming singers were coming up such as Asha Bhonsle, Sumanji, Mubarak Begum, and Sharda. My father was at his peak then…”
He also reflected on how the Partition of India resulted in personal loss for his father. His first wife, Bashira, did not want to leave Lahore and settle in India. But his father was unwilling to leave India, as his career had taken off in 1945. Reflecting on that episode, he said, “She was related to Dad. She was his cousin. She didn’t want to come to India. Dad asked her to come and stay with him, but she refused. Dad said, ‘Okay then, give me my son’.”
He revealed how growing up they did not know their elder brother was not their mother’s child. “I did not know he was my Bari Ma’s kid.”
Mohammed Rafi was celebrated for his extraordinary adaptability and wide vocal range. His repertoire spanned every genre imaginable—lively and upbeat tracks, deeply emotional laments, stirring patriotic anthems, soulful romantic ballads, devotional bhajans, and intricate classical renditions, as well as qawwalis and ghazals. For his incredible range, he was affectionately given the moniker ‘Voice Of God.’
A hallmark of his artistry was the uncanny ability to tailor his voice to perfectly match the personality and mannerisms of the actor performing on screen, making each playback performance feel authentic and lifelike. Over the course of his illustrious career, he was honored with six Filmfare Awards and also earned a National Film Award in recognition of his unmatched contribution to Indian music.
Rafi passed away at the age of 55 from a massive heart attack.
In an explosive interview with Vicky Lalwani, the late singer’s son Shahid spoke out against singers Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhonsle and how they tried to derail his legendary father’s career.
He alleged that Asha Bhonsle had once claimed that Rafi had no variation as a singer.
Speaking on his father’s unparalleled range and his ability to modulate his voice as per the mood of the song, he said, “You are a learned person; have some shame. Not at this age. I’m telling her directly. Upar waala baitha hai. Mere baap ke baare mein koi kuch bolega toh mere se bardaasht nahi hota (God is seeing everything. I can’t tolerate anyone speaking ill of my father.”
He also refuted Lata Mangeshkar’s claims that he had asked her to forgive him and to sing with him again, as his downfall was imminent and no one was giving him songs. Refuting this claim, Shahid said, “Abba did not say this. Lataji said this,” he revealed.
He also stated that two people approached Muhammad Rafi and asked him to forgive Mangeshkar. He also dismissed all rumours about his father feeling insecure and implied it was Lata who feared being replaced by younger talent. “It was the ‘60s. Many new and upcoming singers were coming up such as Asha Bhonsle, Sumanji, Mubarak Begum, and Sharda. My father was at his peak then…”
He also reflected on how the Partition of India resulted in personal loss for his father. His first wife, Bashira, did not want to leave Lahore and settle in India. But his father was unwilling to leave India, as his career had taken off in 1945. Reflecting on that episode, he said, “She was related to Dad. She was his cousin. She didn’t want to come to India. Dad asked her to come and stay with him, but she refused. Dad said, ‘Okay then, give me my son’.”
He revealed how growing up they did not know their elder brother was not their mother’s child. “I did not know he was my Bari Ma’s kid.”
Mohammed Rafi was celebrated for his extraordinary adaptability and wide vocal range. His repertoire spanned every genre imaginable—lively and upbeat tracks, deeply emotional laments, stirring patriotic anthems, soulful romantic ballads, devotional bhajans, and intricate classical renditions, as well as qawwalis and ghazals. For his incredible range, he was affectionately given the moniker ‘Voice Of God.’
A hallmark of his artistry was the uncanny ability to tailor his voice to perfectly match the personality and mannerisms of the actor performing on screen, making each playback performance feel authentic and lifelike. Over the course of his illustrious career, he was honored with six Filmfare Awards and also earned a National Film Award in recognition of his unmatched contribution to Indian music.
Rafi passed away at the age of 55 from a massive heart attack.
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