Mumtaz on her viral dance video with Asha Bhosle! Says people said only you can make Asha ji dance

As the industry mourns the loss of Asha Bhosle, her friend and actress Mumtaz reshared a video that had gone viral a few years ago — this time as a heartfelt tribute. The clip captures a candid moment where Mumtaz is coaxing Asha Bhosle to dance to their song Koi Shehri Babu from Loafer (1973). Mumtaz told Bombay Times, “I have known Ashaji since I was a child. This video is from a small gathering she had organised at her home. At the party, people said, ‘Mumtaz, agar Ashaji ko koi nacha sakta hai toh woh sirf aap hi hain.’ So, I tried my best, but she was too shy (smiles).”Recalling her early memories, Mumtaz said, “Ashaji used to stay in Walkeshwar, where my mother also lived. We were neighbours. I would often go to her house and watch movies when I was a little girl. When Ashaji and Lata Mangeshkar would practise on the tanpura, I would quietly sit and watch them. They would play films at home, and while watching, I would often fall asleep in Ashaji’s lap. Over the years, we became like family.” She also recalled a special moment. “Ashaji once told me that one of the most difficult songs of her career was Aaja O Mere Raja Jannat Ki Sair Karaungi from Apna Desh (1972). The song needed her to create many vocal expressions, which made it just as challenging for me to match my dance steps to them. Apart from being so hugely talented, she was also a lovely person. Ashaji’s simplicity made her even more special,” she concluded.