All posts tagged: Alisha Chinai

Alisha Chinai shares rare photo and heartfelt letter from Rajiv Gandhi

Alisha Chinai shares rare photo and heartfelt letter from Rajiv Gandhi

Published by Webster

Bollywood ace singer Alisha Chinai recently took a trip down memory lane as she shared a rare photograph with former late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.   She also shared a picture of the heartfelt letter that was penned by him addressed to the singer in 1989. Calling it an “epic moment” and a treasured memory from a “golden era,” Alisha’s posted the picture and the letter on her social media account. Alisha shared a vintage picture featuring a young version of herself posing beside Rajiv Gandhi. In the picture, the singer is seen sporting curly hair while standing right next to the late Prime Minister who is seen standing besides her in a classic white kurta-pyjama look.           View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Alisha Chinai (@alishachinaiofficial) She also shared a photograph of the personal letter sent to her by Rajiv Gandhi on the official Prime Minister letterhead dated May 27, 1989. In the letter, he thanked …

Kishore Kumar was ‘busy clowning’ during Mr India recording, says Alisha Chinai: ‘He gave me a look…left without a word’ | Bollywood News

Kishore Kumar was ‘busy clowning’ during Mr India recording, says Alisha Chinai: ‘He gave me a look…left without a word’ | Bollywood News

Published by Parlour News

It was in 1987 that Boney Kapoor released Mr India, directed by Shekhar Kapur. The sci-fi classic, starring Sridevi and Anil Kapoor in the lead roles, was shot over nearly a year. Written by the legendary duo Salim–Javed—who split after this film—the movie remains unforgettable, thanks to iconic characters like Mogambo and Mr India, and evergreen songs such as “Kate Nahin Kat Te” and “Hawa Hawai”. While Mr India evokes nostalgia for many, for singer Alisha Chinai—the voice behind the sensual “Kate Nahin Kat Te”—it also marks her memorable experience of recording with Kishore Kumar. Alisha was barely 21 or 22 when she stepped into the studio to record the duet with Kishore Kumar, who was more than twice her age and already an icon. Composers Laxmikant–Pyarelal were at the helm. Terrified she might forget her lines, Alisha found Kishore da busy “clowning around,” barely acknowledging her presence. In an interview with Pinkvilla, Alisha recalled: “I was so lucky and fortunate that I got to sing with him. After my song with Bappi Lahiri, I …

Alisha Chinai says she left Bollywood as singers were being made to sign ‘illegal’ contracts: ‘There was no fair play’

Alisha Chinai says she left Bollywood as singers were being made to sign ‘illegal’ contracts: ‘There was no fair play’

Published by Parlour News

Updated on: Nov 28, 2025 09:18 am IST Singer Alisha Chinai has opened up on her absence from Hindi film music over the last decade. Singer Alisha Chinai has had several huge hits under her belt. From Made in India to Kajra Re, her voice has been behind some of the most iconic Hindi tracks. Yet, she has been selective with her choices in Hindi film music. In a recent interview, the singer called it a conscious call, a sort of protest against the ‘illegal’ contracts that she said were being forced upon singers in the industry. Alisha Chinai has recorded a handful of Hindi films since 2010. Alisha Chinai slams Bollywood contracts In an interview with Free Press Journal, Alisha was asked what had kept her away from Bollywood. The singer responded, “To be honest, I was just bored with the Bollywood music. I felt a little burnt out as an artist. I wanted to do something different. So, I stayed away, and there were other reasons as well, like all the politics going …

Amitabh Bachchan joked with Shankar Mahadevan saying ‘main tera career bigaad dunga’ during Kajra Re; here’s why

Amitabh Bachchan joked with Shankar Mahadevan saying ‘main tera career bigaad dunga’ during Kajra Re; here’s why

Published by Webster

National Award-winning singer and composer Shankar Mahadevan, known for songs like Maa from Taare Zameen Par, Mitwa and more, recently recalled memories from the making of his iconic track Kajra Re. In a podcast with Humans of Bombay’s All India Mehfil, Shankar shared how Amitabh Bachchan once warned him during the song’s recording process. Shankar Mahadevan recalls memories with Amitabh Bachchan from Kajra Re. Shankar Mahadevan recalls memories with Amitabh Bachchan Shankar Mahadevan recalled memories with the Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna cast and said, “I remember Bachchan sir, he was shooting Rock and Roll, and we went on the set. With my kind of weight, he lifted me because he was so happy with the song. He is just too sweet. He gave me a hug and said, ‘Kya gaana banaya hai (what a song you have made).’” Talking about Kajra Re, he said, “It was another experience. I had dubbed as a rough thing for Amitabh Bachchan to come and dub his voice for Kajra Re because Javed Ali sang for Abhishek, and his …