Asha Parekh reveals Lata Mangeshkar's toughest song was 'Suno Sajna'
Synopsis
On the Indian Idol stage, Asha Parekh shared that Lata Mangeshkar herself admitted 'Suno Sajna' — with its exceptionally long, high-pitched vocal runs — was the hardest song she ever sang. Parekh added that Asha Bhosle said the same of 'Daiya Re Daiya' from Caravan, calling herself 'lucky' that both sisters' toughest songs were picturised on her.
Key Takeaways
Asha Parekh made a guest appearance on Indian Idol to celebrate the golden era of Hindi cinema.
Lata Mangeshkar reportedly described 'Suno Sajna' from 'Aaye Din Bahar Ke' as her most difficult song, citing its long vocal runs and very high pitch.
Asha Bhosle similarly identified 'Daiya Re Daiya Main Kahan Phasi' from Caravan as her own toughest recording.
The revelations were prompted by contestant Ankita Mahua Giri's performance of 'Suno Sajna' on stage.
Parekh said she feels 'very lucky' that both sisters' most challenging songs were picturised on her.
Veteran actress Asha Parekh has revealed that singing legend Lata Mangeshkar once confessed that 'Suno Sajna' — picturised on Parekh in the Dharmendra-starrer 'Aaye Din Bahar Ke' — was among the most difficult songs she ever recorded. The disclosure came during Parekh's guest appearance on the singing reality show Indian Idol, in an upcoming episode celebrating the golden era of Hindi cinema.
What Asha Parekh Revealed
The moment was triggered after contestant Ankita Mahua Giri performed 'Suno Sajna' on stage, prompting Parekh to share a cherished memory. Recounting Mangeshkar's own words, she said: 'Unhone kisi interview mein yeh kaha tha ke yeh gaana mere liye sabse mushkil gaana tha kyun ki unki jo murkhiyan jo thi woh bohot hi lambi thi aur high sur mein gaaya hain toh mujhe khudko lipsync karne mein thodi takleef hoti thi.'
In translation, Mangeshkar had said in an interview that the song was her most challenging because the vocal runs were exceptionally long and performed in a very high pitch — a difficulty Parekh said she herself felt while lip-syncing to it on screen.
Asha Bhosle's Toughest Song Too
Parekh did not stop there. She went on to recall that Asha Bhosle had similarly identified 'Daiya Re Daiya Main Kahan Phasi' from the film Caravan as her own most difficult recording. Parekh quoted herself as saying: 'issi taraf Asha ji sabse difficult gaana woh khud keh rahi thi woh tha Karvaan ka "Daiya Re Daiya Main Kahan Phasi" bohot difficult, dono beheno ka yeh gaana.'
The actress expressed that she considers herself fortunate to have been the face on screen for both of these technically demanding compositions — one by each of the legendary Mangeshkar sisters.
A Tribute to Two Legends
Parekh's appearance on Indian Idol is framed as a tribute to Hindi cinema's golden age, and her anecdotes offered a rare behind-the-scenes perspective on the craft and effort that defined an era. Notably, Lata Mangeshkar, who passed away in February 2022, is credited with recording well over a thousand songs across her career — making her admission about 'Suno Sajna' all the more striking.
The episode is expected to resonate deeply with fans of classic Hindi film music, offering an intimate glimpse into the personal recollections of one of Bollywood's most enduring stars. With Indian Idol continuing to spotlight the music of earlier decades, Parekh's appearance underscores how that era's legacy remains very much alive for contemporary audiences.
Point of View
But the real value here is archival: first-person testimony about craft and difficulty that would otherwise be lost. As fewer living witnesses to that era remain, these on-record recollections carry genuine cultural-preservation weight.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which song did Lata Mangeshkar say was her most difficult?
Lata Mangeshkar reportedly said in an interview that 'Suno Sajna' from the film 'Aaye Din Bahar Ke' was her most difficult song, because its vocal runs were very long and performed at a very high pitch. Asha Parekh shared this recollection on the Indian Idol stage.
Which song did Asha Bhosle consider her toughest?
Asha Bhosle identified 'Daiya Re Daiya Main Kahan Phasi' from the film Caravan as her most challenging recording. Both songs were picturised on actress Asha Parekh.
Why did Asha Parekh appear on Indian Idol?
Asha Parekh made a special guest appearance on an upcoming episode of Indian Idol dedicated to celebrating the golden era of Hindi cinema. Her appearance was prompted by contestant Ankita Mahua Giri's performance of 'Suno Sajna'.
What made 'Suno Sajna' so difficult for Lata Mangeshkar?
According to Lata Mangeshkar's own account, as recalled by Asha Parekh, the song's vocal runs were exceptionally long and the entire composition was performed in a very high pitch, making it technically demanding even for her. Parekh added that she herself found lip-syncing to it on screen a challenge.
