Top News

Kishore Kumar and Alisha Chinai: As soon as the film Mr. India is mentioned, Sridevi, Anil Kapoor, Mogambo and its songs come to people’s mind… especially “Kate Nahi Katte” and “Hawa Hawai”. An interesting anecdote to this film is of singer Alisha Chinai, who had recorded “Kate Nahi Katte…” with Kishore Kumar.

Alisha was just 21-22 years old at that time and Kishore Kumar was a singing legend of twice his age. The song was to be recorded in Laxmikant-Pyarelal’s studio. Alisha was already nervous that she might forget the lines, but as soon as she reached the studio, she got another shock. Kishore Kumar was in full mood, joking, laughing here and there, like a child having fun. And Alisha? Standing in a corner, silent out of fear.

Alisha tells, “I had received a call from Shekhar Kapur’s office asking me to try the song. When I came to know that there was a duet with Kishore Da, I became sweaty. The song was also not simple… Complete seduction mood, for the Invisible Mr. India. On top of that, Kishore Da was present in the studio, he was also standing in front! There was so much energy in the studio that half the work was made easy by the atmosphere itself. But I was afraid that I might mess up, so The entire song was memorized a day before.”

Kishore did not give any expression…

When both of them came face to face for the first time, Laxmikant ji said, “She is a new singer, she will sing with you.” Kishore Da raised his eyebrows a little, “What will she sing?” Gave the following expression… and moved ahead. No “Hello”, no “How are you”… just straight into recording mode. In between, he kept having fun and making jokes and Alisha kept focusing on her lines.

The recording ended…and Kishore da went away without saying anything. No compliments, no suggestions… nothing. Alisha recalls with a laugh, “We didn’t have any conversation. I just sang the song and he walked away. But it seems he was shocked that I could sing well.” Today when people call this song iconic, Alisha believes that the energy of the studio that day, Kishore Da’s presence and her own nervousness… all three together made this song magical.

Alisha is now living a life of anonymity…

In those days, Alisha Chinai had a different voice. Full of intoxication. People wanted to hear his voice. Although he has sung many great songs throughout his career, his song Made in India is still on people’s lips. This one song made him a shining star of Indian pop singing overnight. There is a long list of songs sung by him. Let’s do it, Ruk-Ruk-Ruk, Tere Ishq Mein Nachaenge, Mehboob Mere, O My Darling, Rang-Rang Mere Rang-Rang Mein, Chot Dil Pe Lagi, Dil Ko Hazar Baar, Maine Jiseko Chaha, Tinka-Tinka, Kajrare-Kajrare, Ishq Di Gali Witch No Entry, Aaj Ki Raat, Touch Me, Eats Rocking, Ticket to Hollywood, Bevo Main Bevo, Tera Hone He has filled the magic of his intoxicating voice in many songs like Laga Hoon, Dilruba. After every straw, Alisha reduced her work and now she is almost out of the field.