Poonam Dhillon on Lata Mangeshkar: 'Without her, Hindi film music would have been incomplete'
Synopsis
At a Bollywood melodies tribute night in Mumbai, Poonam Dhillon revealed that Lata Mangeshkar sang for virtually every film she appeared in across a career spanning hundreds of titles — a quiet testament to how completely the Nightingale of India defined an era of Hindi cinema.
Key Takeaways
Poonam Dhillon paid tribute to Lata Mangeshkar at 'Surila Safar-30: An Evening of Bollywood Melodies' at Tagore Theatre, Mumbai on 27 September 2026 .
Dhillon said Mangeshkar sang in almost all of her hundreds of films , with only one or two exceptions.
She described Tagore Theatre as a venue she had visited for concerts since childhood, calling the event 'a very special day.' Lata Mangeshkar passed away on 6 February 2022 at age 92 at Breach Candy Hospital, Mumbai .
Mangeshkar is credited with recording playback songs in over 36 languages across a career spanning more than seven decades .
Actress Poonam Dhillon paid an emotional tribute to legendary playback singer Lata Mangeshkar on 27 September 2026, recalling the Nightingale of India's indispensable role in shaping Hindi film music and her own cinematic journey. Dhillon spoke at 'Surila Safar-30: An Evening of Bollywood Melodies' held at the iconic Tagore Theatre in Mumbai.
Poonam Dhillon's Personal Tribute
Speaking at the event, Dhillon reflected on how Lata Mangeshkar's voice had been a constant presence across virtually her entire filmography. 'Lata ji is very dear to all of us. Without her, the music of Hindi films would have been incomplete. It is a great thing that she is being honoured and remembered here. And that too in my lovely Tagore Theatre. It is a great joy for me,' she said.
The actress, who has worked in hundreds of films, noted that Mangeshkar had lent her voice to songs in almost every film she appeared in. 'I have done hundreds of films. Except for one or two films, she has sung in all of them. All of her songs are one of the best. They are very beautiful songs,' Dhillon added.
A Childhood Connection to Tagore Theatre
Dhillon also shared a personal bond with the venue itself, recalling that Tagore Theatre had been a part of her life long before her film career began. 'We used to come here for our concerts since childhood. It is a very special day for me,' she said. The theatre, a landmark cultural venue in Mumbai, lent added significance to an evening already steeped in nostalgia.
About Lata Mangeshkar
Fondly remembered as the 'Nightingale of India' and 'Swar Kokila', Lata Mangeshkar passed away on 6 February 2022 at the age of 92 at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai, following multiple organ failure after testing positive for COVID-19. Her death prompted an outpouring of grief from across the country, with tributes pouring in from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, political leaders, and celebrities alike.
Over a career spanning more than seven decades, Mangeshkar recorded playback songs in over 36 languages and is credited with shaping the sonic identity of Indian cinema. Her passing in 2022 was widely described as the end of a defining era in Indian music.
The Evening's Significance
The 'Surila Safar-30' event celebrated the timeless melodies of Bollywood and served as a platform to honour Mangeshkar's enduring legacy. For artists like Dhillon, who grew up alongside those songs both on screen and off, the evening was as much a personal homecoming as a public remembrance. As tributes to Mangeshkar continue to feature at cultural events across the country, her influence on generations of film professionals remains undiminished.
Point of View
It reveals not just talent but a near-monopoly on what 'the sound of Hindi cinema' meant for a generation. That cultural monoculture is gone, replaced by a fragmented, playlist-driven industry — which is precisely why these tribute events keep drawing emotional crowds. The harder question mainstream coverage rarely asks: does the nostalgia industry around Lata Mangeshkar also risk overshadowing the diverse voices she and the studio system systematically crowded out?
NationPress
27 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Poonam Dhillon say about Lata Mangeshkar?
Poonam Dhillon said that Lata Mangeshkar sang in almost all of her hundreds of films, calling her voice indispensable to Hindi film music. She stated, 'Without her, the music of Hindi films would have been incomplete.'
Where was the Lata Mangeshkar tribute event held?
The tribute event, titled 'Surila Safar-30: An Evening of Bollywood Melodies,' was held at Tagore Theatre in Mumbai on 27 September 2026.
When did Lata Mangeshkar pass away?
Lata Mangeshkar passed away on 6 February 2022 at the age of 92 at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai, following multiple organ failure after testing positive for COVID-19.
Why is Lata Mangeshkar called the Nightingale of India?
Lata Mangeshkar earned the title 'Nightingale of India' for her extraordinary voice and a career spanning over seven decades, during which she recorded playback songs in more than 36 languages. Her singular vocal presence defined the sound of Hindi cinema for generations.
What was Poonam Dhillon's connection to Tagore Theatre?
Poonam Dhillon revealed that she had been visiting Tagore Theatre in Mumbai since her childhood for concerts, describing the venue as deeply personal and calling the tribute evening 'a very special day' for her.
