Padhma Bhushan Alka Yagnik sang 25+ songs for Sridevi! A look back

Last night, singer Alka Yagnik added another feather to her illustrious cap, receiving the Padma Bhushan from Indian President Droupadi Murmu. The gifted singer has gone through some health troubles recently and we wish her a speedy recovery. A gifted young singer, she sang with contemporary stars as well as legends like Kishore Kumar! The first hit song I can remember of Alka is Mere Angne main in Laawaris!

A quick dive into Alkaji's career; 

Alka Yagnik (born March 20, 1966) is one of India’s most celebrated playback singers, renowned for her versatile voice and immense contribution to Hindi cinema with a staggering number of songs and record breaking digital downloads. Born in Kolkata to a Gujarati family, she grew up in a musically inclined household. Her father, Dharmendra Shankar, worked as a Navy officer, while her mother, Shubha Yagnik, a trained classical singer, became her first guru and strongest supporter.  

Alka began singing devotional songs (bhajans) for All India Radio, Kolkata, at the tender age of six. At ten, her mother took her to Mumbai to pursue a singing career. Though initially advised to wait until her voice matured, Alka’s determination paid off. She made her Bollywood debut with a few lines in Payal Ki Jhankaar (1979) and sang her first full song in Laawaris (1981) when she was just 15! Even Shreya Ghoshal was 16 when she sang for Devdas! 

Alka's big breakthrough came in 1988 with the chart-topping, energetic number “Ek Do Teen” from Tezaab, which won her the first of her seven Filmfare Awards for Best Female Playback Singer. This catapulted her to stardom in the late 1980s and 1990s, where she became the dominant female voice in Bollywood alongside singers and frequent singing partners like Kumar Sanu and Udit Narayan. 

Alka’s voice is celebrated for its clarity, emotional depth, and ability to handle diverse genres - from romantic melodies and dance numbers to qawwalis and folk-infused tracks. Iconic songs include “Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai” (Khalnayak), “Taal Se Taal” (Taal), “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai,” “Hum Tum,” and , well, too many memorable duets to list. She has, allegedly, sung over 2,400 Hindi songs across more than 1,100 films and recorded in over 25 languages. 

Her accolades include two National Film Awards, a record seven Filmfare Awards (from 37 nominations), and, as of yesterday, the prestigious Padma Bhushan (2026). Despite facing hearing challenges later in life, Alka remains a revered figure in Indian music for her four-decade journey as the “Melody Queen” of Bollywood.  

Alka sang over two dozen songs for Sridevi - from the passable ditties in Ghar Sansar in 1986, to the fabulous solo Hakka illa re in the underrated Kaun Sachcha Kaun Jhootha. Funnily enough, both by Rajesh Roshan, king of the underrated Music Directors of India! 

Though she famously sang many of Madhuri Dixit's major hits (Ek do teen, Dekha hai pehli baar etc onwards), she was a playback singer for Sridevi in several memorable films (and a few forgettable ones!). Here's a chronological list of songs Alka Yagnik - who was only three years younger than Sridevi - sang for the screen queen;

Year	Film	Song Title	Music Director	Lyricist	Type
1986	Ghar Sansar	Jeevan Ke Raaste Mein	Rajesh Roshan	Indeevar	With Kishore Kumar & Mohammed Aziz
1986	Ghar Sansar	Meri Oonchi Nahin Deewaar	Rajesh Roshan	Indeevar	Solo
1991	Garajna	Bambai Mein Baat Hui / Pyar Hua	Bappi Lahiri	Indeevar / Anjaan	Duet (with Bappi Lahiri)
1991	Pathar Ke Insan	Tu Hi Meri Prem Kahani	Bappi Lahiri	Indeevar	Duet (with Mohammed Aziz)
1991	Pathar Ke Insan	Pathar Ke Insan (Title Song)	Bappi Lahiri	Indeevar	Duet (with Amit Kumar)
1991	Farishtay	Apna Hai Raaj Phir Kahe Ka Raja	Bappi Lahiri	Anand Bakshi	Duet (with Shabbir Kumar)
1991	Banjaran	Teri Banjaran Rasta Dekhe	Laxmikant–Pyarelal	Anand Bakshi	Solo
1991	Banjaran	Mere Dil Ki Galiyon Mein	Laxmikant–Pyarelal	Anand Bakshi	Duet (with Suresh Wadkar)
1992	Khuda Gawah	Tu Na Jaa Mere Badshah	Laxmikant–Pyarelal	Anand Bakshi	Duet (with Mohammed Aziz)
1992	Khuda Gawah	Deewana Mujhe Kar Gaya	Laxmikant–Pyarelal	Anand Bakshi	Duet (with Mohammed Aziz)
1992	Khuda Gawah	Mere Watan Mein Maine	Laxmikant–Pyarelal	Anand Bakshi	Duet (with Suresh Wadkar)
1993	Chandramukhi	Tere Dil Ki Baat Main Janoon	Anand-Milind	Sameer	Duet (with Kumar Sanu)
1993	Gumrah	Tere Pyar Ko Salaam	Bappi Lahiri	Sameer	Duet (with Kumar Sanu)
1994	Laadla	Mere Ghulam Tera	Anand-Milind	Sameer	Duet (with Udit Narayan)
1996	Army	Main To Hoon Pagal Munda	Anand-Milind	Sameer	Duet (with Vinod Rathod)
1996	Army	Ek Beeti Hui Kahani	Anand-Milind	Sameer	Solo
1996	Army	Ho Gayee Tiyar Hamari Army	Anand-Milind	Sameer	Multi (with Vinod Rathod, Abhijeet & others)
1996	Mr. Bechara	Jaanam Meri Jaanam	Anand-Milind	Sameer / Nawab Arzoo	Duet (with Udit Narayan)
1996	Mr. Bechara	Khoyi Khoyi Aankhon Mein	Anand-Milind	Nawab Arzoo	Duet (with Udit Narayan)
1997	Kaun Sachcha Kaun Jhootha	Chanchal Hawaon Se	Rajesh Roshan	Sameer	Solo
1997	Kaun Sachcha Kaun Jhootha	Dil Se Judi Dil Ki Kadi	Rajesh Roshan	Sameer	Duet (with Kumar Sanu)
1997	Judaai	Judaai Judaai	Nadeem–Shravan	Sameer	Multi (with Hariharan & Jaspinder Narula)
2004	Meri Biwi Ka Jawab Nahin	Aisa To Koi Aur Duja	Laxmikant–Pyarelal	Anand Bakshi	Duet (with Kumar Sanu)
2004	Meri Biwi Ka Jawab Nahin	Hamra Sajan Sang Tha Wada	Laxmikant–Pyarelal	Anand Bakshi	Solo
2004	Meri Biwi Ka Jawab Nahin	Hum Sang Kitna Pyar Hai	Laxmikant–Pyarelal	Anand Bakshi	Duet (with Udit Narayan)

Sridevi and Alisha Chinai: Just 4 songs together in 3 films?

Just two years younger than Sridevi, singer Alisha Chinai turns 61 today! One of our all-time favourite singers, her mellifluous singing voice was a different, soothing phenomenon in the shrill, loud, cacophony of the 1980s. Though their first song together was a massive hit, oddly, Alisha only sang a few songs for Sri! 

Concentrating on her own private albums and pop songs instead of playback singing, it wasn't surprising. Her private albums are the highest watermark for any independent singer to aspire to reach. No other private album has reached the heights of Made in India, in the history of inde music in India.   

Alisha sang for Sridevi in three films, namely; 

1. Mr. India (1987)

Song: "Kate Nahin Kat Te" (duet with Kishore Kumar)

Music Director: Laxmikant–Pyarelal

Lyricist: Javed Akhtar

Was it a hit?: Yes, a massive iconic hit. It is one of the most sensuous and memorable rain/duet songs of the era, widely remembered for Sridevi's performance. 

2. Guru (1989)

Song: "I Am A Bad Girl" (duet with Shailendra Singh) and 

Song: "Ek do teen chaar..." 

Music Director: Bappi Lahiri

Lyricist: Indeevar (or Anjaan in some credits)

Was it a hit?: Yes, a popular disco number from the film, frequently featured in Sridevi/Mithun song compilations. 

3. Pathar Ke Insan (1990)

Song: "Chhod Chala" 

Music Director: Bappi Lahiri

Lyricist: Indeevar

Was it a hit?: Moderately popular; it is noted in Sridevi song lists but not one of her all-time biggest chartbusters. 

The Grammy nominee's ode to Sridevi: Music clip

Singer Shilpa Rao, writer/director Gauri Shinde and actress Sridevi 
Sept 2012

Singer Shilpa Rao, who has an exceptional tone and timbre to her gorgeous singing voice, had this little rendition of the title song of English Vinglish, in remembrance and loving memory of Sridevi. So lovely. 

Was wondering if the two had ever met and the internet dug out this ol' pic from Sept 2012. 

Follow the singer on social media; her Instagram handle is https://www.instagram.com/shilparao/

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Sridevi with Bappi Lahiri: Top Ten Films of Bappi Lahiri and Sridevi

 

Born on 27 November 1952, today is music director and sometime singer Bappi Lahiri's 69th birthday. The perpetually decked-in-gold composer's career is spotted with hits and flops, great reviews and sharp critiques, but Bappi da seems to have sailed through life without letting too much affect him. From winning the best Music Director award for Sharaabi to creating the cringe-iest Michael Jackson tribute song/video ever made (google at your peril), the jabs of media arrows seem to bounce off the rolly-polly one. Bless. Ignorance be bliss indeed. 

We have quite a collection of images of Sridevi with Bappi Lahiri over the years. After all, the music director's long link to the iconic Indian actress traces back to her first Hindi hit. Bappi da composed the chart-topping numbers for her in Himmatwala and throughout the 1980s, he was the music director of nearly a dozen of her films (although in an interview on TV soon after Sridevi's tragic passing, Bappi said he did 25 films with Sridevi - um.. not sure about that!). 

He said, "Sridevi ke saath maine almost 25 films kiya. Unka jo style tha woh ekdum pakad leta tha audience ko. Sri ki jo adayein thi, kya dance tha! Jaisa western, waisa classical. Main industry mein 48 years se kaam kar raha hoon, maine aisa versatility kahin nahi dekha," [With Sridevi I did almost 25 films. Her style used to absolutely capture the audience. Her grace, her dance, her western, her classical - I've been in the industry for 48 years, but I've never seen anymore more versatile than her."]. 

The most memorable collabs of Sridevi where Bappi Lahiri was the composer of her film soundtrack include;

1. Himmatwala (1983)
2. Jaani Dost (1983)
3. Tohfa (1984)
4. Maqsad (1984)
5. Masterji (1985)
6. Suhagan (1986)
7. Sone Pe Suhaaga (1988)
8. Gair Kanooni (1989)
9. Guru (1989)
10. Naaka Bandi  (1991)

Shreya Ghoshal's tribute to Sridevi - and Sadma

 

We've seen Shreya Ghoshal sing a Sridevi song before - in Hindi and Tamil here to Surmayi akhiyon main - but this little tribute to Sridevi after Sri's passing was lovely. 

Shreya Ghoshal's version of Aye Zindagai gale laga le above. Just lovely. A honeyed voice from a very sweet girl, she hits all the right notes, every single time... Child prodigy to legend in her own time, she reminds us so of another superstar... 

Shreya Ghoshal is a fan of Sridevi. I mean, who in her generation isn't?! 

Happy Birthday Aditya Narayan: Singer with Sridevi

 

Child artist turned singer turned TV show host Aditya Narayan was born on 6 August 1987! Seen here with Sridevi - who is looking oh so gorgeous! 

Happy Birthday Adi!

He posted on social media back in 2017: 

My favourite actress of all time, Sridevi is on everyone's favourite show, tonight at 9! #MomsSpecial #AmulSaReGaMaPaLilChamps @ZeeTV

14 May 2017

Alisha Chinai/Chinoy's grievances against all actresses - including Sridevi

Anil Kapoor and Sridevi in Mr India (1987) 

While searching for quotes on singer Alisha Chinoy [she subsequently changed her surname to Chinai] and Sridevi, found this feature online... and this quote makes us a little sad;

"In the past, I saw Sridevi walk away with all the raves for my song 'Kaate nahin kat-te' in Mr. India. It hurt then, it hurts more now. I'd rather sit at home jobless than allow my talent to be used to further any actress' popularity," a livid Alisha said. (from News 18, back in Dec 2010, long before Sridevi tragically passed. Context is relevant here, for obvious reasons.).

Alisha Chinai spoke out against other actresses too, but this particular line stung a little bit. Sridevi has always credited her singers, choreographers and directors and never spoke out against anyone else-- always complimenting others for their work and efforts. It isn't as if Sridevi deliberately hogged all the accolades for the collective. If the credit went to Sridevi for her memorable dancing and acting in the way that song was picturised in particular--as she was the face on screen--well, it's no fault of hers. Every element in Kate nahin Katthe was grand, be it the way it was shot, choreographed, be it the styling, sets, direction, camerawork... and of course it was a welcome change as the singer's voice is so soothing and not a high-pitch like many others who were successful around that same time. The 80s was a bizarrely loud decade, be it in acting, costumes, dialogue delivery, music or presentation! Everything was so over the top in commercial Hindi cinema! Alisha's voice was like warm honey--and we loved and welcomed the change.  

However, she isn't wrong in her thoughts either; actresses often get credit for songs and the singers are  left on the side. Had Lata Mangeshkar not fought for the rights of singers, an entire generation and subsequent one would never see their name in print. In the 1950s, people actually thought Madhubala sang her own songs, had Lataji not battled the bigwigs for credit, royalty, hell, even basic payment, there would many a penniless playback singer out there today. 

Playback singing as we know it today, is rather unique to Bollywood and uninformed fans in the past may have given credit to the actresses, but in this era of the internet informed (and occasionally misinformed), and social media age, every single person watching a Hindi film knows that none* of the stars on screen sing their own song (*with a few memorable exceptions - but that's for another blog post). You know a song is sung by Lata, Asha, Anuradha, Kavita or... Alisha! 

Alisha Chinai memorably sang for Sridevi in nearly half a dozen films;

1. Kate nahin kathe, Mr India (1987)
2. Ek do teen chaar, pyar chahiye, Waqt Ki Awaaz (1988) 
3. I'm a bad girl, Guru (1989)
4. Chodh chala rahon main, Pathar Ke Insaan, (1990) 
5. Cha raha hai pyar ka nasha, Chandra Mukhi (1993)

For the record, we remain huge fans of the singer Alisha Chinai - in the shrill cacophony of that dire decade, the 1980s, her soothing voice was like a melodious balm, she softened the songs for us and we - and our headphones - are grateful.  I have every single album of hers, cds and audios! Nothing will beat the Guiness record held by her with Made in India-- which has several gems, not just the main track. We salute the fine singer, and hope still doesn't blame Sridevi and the applause she garnered for Alisha's original voice. 

Daane daane pe likha hai khanewale ka naam,

gaane gaane pe likha hai gaanewali ka naam; Alisha. 

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Legendary singer P Susheela lols with Sridevi: Legendary Indian singer and actress' tight bond

How cute and how gorgeous - Sridevi. Sridevi with singing legend P Susheela.

As we write this, the legendary singer is 82 - she sang several songs for Sridevi in her Tamil films, since Sri's childhood as a young star. Their closeness and bond is so touching - esp as Sri's so notoriously shy otherwise with non-family members.

Above: Maheshwari, P Susheela and Sridevi 

Sridevi and Boney Kapoor at Dr T Subbarami Reddy's party (2006)

After Judaai, Sridevi was rarely seen at movie events but she would turn up for parties hosted by Dr T Subbarami Reddy - whose family has been friends with Sridevi for years. Dr T Subbarami Reddy was also co-producer of some films Sridevi starred in (including the memorable Lamhe).

Sridevi and Boney Kapoor seen here at one of the grand parties hosted by the Reddys, back in 2006. 

Singer Suneeta Rao (of Pari hoon main fame) and former Miss World Yukta Mookhey (1999) fanned out at Sridevi and grabbed a picture with her. 

Sridevi with Singer Shweta Pandit: Famous Fan

Singer Shweta Pandit posts on Facebook:

Icon #Sridevi at the Toronto Film Festival #TIFF Her first comeback premiere, we met backstage! #ThisweekLastyear

Sunidhi Chauhan fans out at Sridevi: "I want to sing for Sridevi!"

Sunidhi Chauhan, pic by Douglas Pieterse

Let's hear it for the power of positive thinking.

Around two years ago, in an interview, the gifted singer Sunidhi Chauhan had remarked that she feels great to have sung for all the leading ladies in contemporary Bollywood. Be it Aishwarya Rai, Kareena Kapoor or Priyanka Chopra, she was the voice behind the actresses of today in Bollywood. 

"But I'm so blessed that I even got to sing for Rekhaji (Kaisi Paheli from Parineeta) and Madhuri Dixit (Aaja Nachle's fabulous title song)."

Indeed, but is there anyone left?

"Well, I've heard Srideviji's planning to do a film, and I hope I get the chance to sing for her too," she said wistfully as English Vinglish, at the time, was a distant flick in the horizon. "I just love her comedy."

As the writer Paulo Coelho wrote in The Alchemist, "When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it." 

And by some divine conspiracy indeed, Sunidhi sang for Sridevi in the melodious finale track of English Vinglish, Navrai Maajhi. 

Watch a brief clip of the amazing song (and lovely littl' dance) by Sridevi in English Vinglish here.
 

If you will it, it will come true.


More of our conversation with Sunidhi Chauhan here.

UPDATE: After the sudden demise of Sridevi, the singer spoke to the press again. Excerpts;

"... Sunidhi feels lucky as she got the chance to sing for her movie. She said, "At that point in my childhood, I never thought that I would get a chance to sing for her. But surprisingly it happened, when she made her comeback with English Vinglish, I sang the song Navrai Majhi for her. And then when I saw her performing to it with my voice, in the theatre, I became emotional."

 The singer is still in shock after getting the news. She said, "I still do not want to believe that Srideviji is gone. I will always be in shock. I don't think I will ever believe she is gone."

The whole world is in grief. Sridevi's mortal remains will be brought to India today and the funeral will be conducted afterwards. Fans and celebs are paying their condolences to the family. 

For more log on to Bollywood Life here.

Aasha Bhosle with Sridevi

‎In an exclusive chat with the iconic, legendary singer, the divine Aasha Bhosle, she mentioned working as the screen-songstress for Sridevi! 

From her film Tohfa, Sadma to Gumraah, Aashaji sang for Sridevi for decades. She says, "I loved Sridevi, a beautiful face, such gorgeous eyes. I loved her in Nagina. And she was a doll. Every-time I meet her at an event, she runs to me and gives me a hug. To me, she's still a kid. I sang for her in her first Hindi film so our bond goes back over years. I haven't been asked to sing for her again [in the upcoming English Vinglish] but if they did, I'd happily do it. I'd keep a little 'masti' in my voice when I sing for her. She's so bubbly on screen..." 

 -- Aasha Bhosle. Jan 12, 2012

 

Sridevi and Shreya Ghoshal: Famous Fan

Another famous fan joins the list. Angelic-voiced singer Shreya Ghoshal said in an interview with Post magazine in Hong Kong, "....I was recording a song in Chennai and a producer said I reminded him of legendary Indian actress Sridevi - I love her, but I don't think it was a valid comparison. I've loved her in Mr India in particular." 

Years after that, Shreya posted on her social media how much she loved the "superlative" performance of Sridevi in the memorable English Vinglish. 

More from Shreya Ghoshal here.

Aasha Bhosle with Sridevi: Legends of Bollywood meet at a party

Sridevi with Aasha Bhosle. Aashaji has sung sooooooo many of Sri's 80s songs!

Yash Johar, Boney Kapoor, Aasha Bhosle with Sridevi

Producer Yash Johar (Gumrah), Boney Kapoor, legendary singer Aasha Bhosle and Sridevi at an event. 

Sridevi looking so elegant in her brown, zari sari. 

Circa 2004

Sridevi with Lata Mangeshkar

At the launch of Lataji's eponymous perfume, Sridevi with the perfectly divine Lata Mangeshkar.

Goddess Lata Mangeshkar has of course sung many of Sridevi's biggest hits including 'Nainon mein sapna' (HIMMATWALA), 'Main teri dushman' (NAGINA), 'Mere haathon mein' (CHANDNI), 'Morni baaga ma bole' (LAMHE) among several dozen others.

The three singers that sang most of Sridevi's songs were Lata Maneshkar, Aasha Bhosle and Kavita Krishnamurthy - in Hindi films. 

Lata Mangeshkar, "I liked Sridevi in Yashji's Chandni and Lamhe and in Sadma. She's very pretty and well presented in Yashji's films."
-- Filmfare, Oct, 1999

BTW On a TV chat show, Lataji said she loved singing for Jaya Bachchan, Nargis, Rekha etc... but her all-time favourite actress was... Hema Malini!

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