Asha Bhosle: No emotions in today's films

All of us have loved Asha Bhosle from behind the camera, lending her voice to Bollywood's heroines.

Now, we will get to see the veteran playback singer in front of the camera, working her magic in a different way.

Asha Bhosle will make her acting debut in a film called Maayee, which went on the floors on Sunday, April 24. She will play mother to Padmini Kolhapure. The film will be directed by debutant Mahesh Godiyal.

Asha was in a dilemma whether she had taken the right decision of making her acting debut. "Last night, I spoke to didi (Lata Mangeshkar), who gave me confidence that I would do a good job. She said acting runs in our blood, as our father -- late Dinanath Mangeshkar -- was a drama artist," Asha said.

Asha had played a child artist in Badi Maa (1945). "I did not remember the song that didi had sung for me in Badi Maa," she continued. "Didi said it was Ma Meri Badi Ma. I was the child artist in the movie. Noorjehan was the leading lady."

Even though she is not scared of being in front of the camera, Asha said that playing a title role in a film was a big risk, and an experiment.

"I took up the film at the insistence of my son Anand after producer Nitin Shankar narrated the story," Asha said.

"After I gave my approval, I continued to worry about remembering dialogues despite having performed in front of the big audiences. Acting on the big screen is completely different from what I have done before. Songs are easy to remember because they have rhythm and music," she said.

Ironically, Asha claims that she does not like to watch movies these days. "There are no emotions in today's films," she said. "Everything is computerised, including the fight scenes. It is better to watch cartoon movies. But I liked the film Munnabhai MBBS."

Had she been offered acting roles earlier?  "Yes. I was approached for acting roles when I was young," Asha said. "I had said that I look into the mirror everyday and don't think my face suits for the big screen. So I will not do the films."

Ask her about her role in Maaee, and she refuses to divulge any details. "It is a story with a twist and a message. My emotions are attached to the film," she said.

Is she open to more films? "Singing is my first love. Acting is not my forte. Maaee will be my first and last movie as an actor," she said.

The singer believes remixed songs can never change the popularity and the timelessness of the original classics. "No matter how many films are remade and songs are remixed, the original is the best and is always remembered. My songs like Yeh Mera Dil Pyar Ka Deewana and Dum Maro Dum have been remixed but audiences will always remember the original," she said.

But Asha claims she has not heard the remixed version of Dum Maro Dum, and has 'no intention of doing so.'