Singer and mimicry artist Sudesh Bhosale has spent decades sharing the stage with the late Asha Bhosle. Because of their matching surname and many joint shows, several people assumed he was her son. In a recent conversation, he spoke about how their bond began and how special it remained.
How Asha Bhosle first noticed him
In a chat with Mid-Day’s podcast, Sudesh Bhosale talked about his modest start in the industry. He was performing a mimicry act at National College in Mumbai, where he copied a scene of Amitabh Bachchan from ‘Amar Akbar Anthony’. That performance caught the attention of Asha Bhosle, who later became his guide in music.
Sudesh Bhosale on being mistaken for Asha Bhosle’s son
When the host joked that many people think he is Asha Bhosle’s son, Sudesh Bhosale laughed along. He said, “Even I used to think the same,” and added that people would doubt the connection if they saw her view of it.
Sudesh Bhosale on the rule she followed for four decades
Sudesh Bhosale feels blessed to have worked with her for so long. He said, “In 40 years, since 1986, I have been very fortunate that in every show, Asha ji would not sing duets without me.”Even when he could not attend a few events, she stayed firm. He recalled her words: “In case I was not present in a couple of shows, she would tell me, ‘You’re not there in the show today; I’ll see, I’ll sing some solos and come sit in the green room quietly. I cannot sing duets with anyone except you.'”
Why she chose him
Sudesh Bhosale admitted that Asha Bhosle was his mentor. He often asked her why she insisted on his presence when many classically trained singers were available. He said, “I asked her, ‘There are so many people who are trained in classical singing; why do you always take me?’ She would say, ‘Just like that’.”
A mother-and-son bond
Though they were not related by blood, Sudesh Bhosale said they shared a bond like a mother and son. When she told him he might not be her son by choice, he laughed and agreed that he was her son by ‘dil’, meaning heart.