Lata Mangeshkar gifts Rishi Kapoor a Sai statue

It’s an association that has stuck since Rishi Kapoor’s childhood days. It would be safe to say that Lata Mangeshkar is like family to one of Bollywood’s first families: the Kapoors. And with the gift of a Sai Baba statue to her beloved Chintu, that bond has only grown stronger.

Rishi acknowledges, “When she heard that I was a Sai Baba devotee, Lataji sent me a beautiful moorti (statue). It is a gift I’ll cherish forever.”

Kapoor’s earliest memories of the songstress hark back to the time he’d run around in shorts while Lata and his father Raj would get together to record for RK Films.

Lata remembers the late Raj Kapoor’s musical prowess and mentions, “Rajsaab was a musician himself. The music in his films involved his contribution to a large extent. He would often play the songs and then the composer would take it up.”

She adds, “I’d say I’m closer to Yash Chopra’s and Rajsaab’s families than any other in the industry. After Rajsaab, Rishi and now Ranbir are my favourite actors from that family. Last year, we honoured Rishi on my father’s death anniversary. The whole family, Rishi, Neetu, their son Ranbir and daughter Riddhima came for the function. It was very kind of them. Moreover, Ranbir and I share the same birthday. In fact, Raj’s daughter Rima was also born on the same day as me (September 28).”