Aamir To Finally Attend An Award Function, But Only For Lataji

Aamir Khan will finally accept an award in person.

Aamir Khan. (Photo: Yogen Shah)

The Mangeshkar family will commemorate a special occasion on 24 April.

It’s my father’s 75th death anniversary. It is also 75 years since I started singing in films. My father passed away in April and I started singing in cinema in October

Lata Mangeshkar, Singer

Aamir Khan doesn’t attend nor collect awards. But this time around, the actor has made an exception for the one and only Lata Mangeshkar, someone Aamir admires and adores immeasurably.

And the ‘Nightingale of India’ reciprocates the sentiment in ample measure.

Lata Mangeshkar is very fond of Aamir. (Photo Courtesy: Facebook)

I know he doesn’t collect awards. But he has made an exception for us. Aamir is indeed one of my favourite actors. Though we don’t meet anymore I know there is enormous mutual respect between us.

Lata Mangeshkar, Singer

“I’ve known him from the time he was a child. I’ve seen him at his home playing and jumping around at his home when I visited his father (filmmaker Tahir Husain). He has always showered immense affection on me. I remember when he made Lagaan he insisted I sing the Bhajan O paalan Hare. I love his focus and dedication to his work and most of all, I love his films. Taare Zameen Par is one of my favourite films featuring a contemporary actor. It is rare to  come across an artiste with such a conscientious body of work”.

I remember once he told me that he would take a whole year off from acting to produce films and I had objected. We love seeing Aamir on screen. My siblings Meena, Ash, Usha and Hridaynath and I  are honored to give the award  named after my father to Aamir.

Lata Mangeshkar, Singer

Vyjanthimala is the other film personality to be conferred with the Dinanath Mangeshkar Award at the function to be held on 24 April at the Shanmukhnanda auditorium .

Lataji lights up at the mention of the super-iconic legendary actress. “We were thinking of honouring one of the legendary classic actresses from the golden era.

Vyajanthimala at the age of 80.

A few names were shortlisted. But my brother Hridaynath insisted we honour Vyjanthimala this time. She is such a rare combination of exquisite beauty and extraordinary acting talent. Such a fabulous dancer and do you know, she is also a capable singer!

Lata Mangeshkar, Singer

“I remember when in 1951, Vyjanthimala made her debut as Hindi film heroine in AVM’s Bahar. I had met Vyjanthimala with her father who said. “My daughter sings too,” he said. I asked her to sing for me. And she did. And very well too. We’ve known one another since then. I’ve sung some of  my best songs for her in Nagin, Amrapali, Sangam, Ganga Jumna, Madhumati and Jewel Thief. I remember running into her in London while shopping. She was with a friend to whom she excitedly introduced me as an old friend.”

One  of Lataji’s most controversial songs, Buddha Mil Gaya, was filmed on Vyjanthimala in Sangam.

The Nightingale laughs in fond remembrance. “I never wanted to sing that song. But when I saw the dignity with which Vyjanthimalaji danced to the song, I was happy.”