A low-key birthday for Lata Mangeshkar

Songstress Lata Mangeshkar, who turns 83 today, is bringing in her birthday quietly,  out of Mumbai. She left town yesterday to an undisclosed location. Lata said that she never celebrates her birthday. The singer whose songs continue to enthrall and be a source of inspiration for millions of singers is herself keeping a low profile these days. When asked if she will be singing for any of the forthcoming films, she said, “These days I want to hear the song in its entirety before giving my nod.”

In fact, the nightingale whose songs were a must in every Yash Chopra directed film has given a miss to his directorial comeback Jab Tak Hai Jaan too.

“There was no situation in the film that I could sing for,” she says as a matter-of-fact. Also, unlike sister Asha Bhosle who’s judging reality shows, Lata has steadfastly kept away from them. “I watch these shows but I am not interested in being a part of them. Some of the singers are good and make it to films,  but they vanish just as fast,” she reckons.

In a recent interview, she had shed light on her differences with singer Mohammad Rafi, which reportedly had ended when he apologised to her. This did not go down well with Rafi’s son Shahid Rafi who refuted her claims. When asked for her reaction, she said, “I don’t want to comment on that.”