One of the most prolific artists in music history has died. According to Guinness, legendary Indian playback singer Asha Bhosle had more than 11,000 recorded solos, duets, and chorus-back songs, as of 2011.
Bhosle suffered a cardiac arrest and passed away in Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital on Sunday (April 12) at the age of 92.
She and her now-deceased older sister, Lata Mangeshkar, gained international fame for their songs in countless Hindi movies. Bhosle was known for injecting real emotional flair—and visceral oomph—into her singing, whether it was in film, folk, or traditional Indian classical music. Over her career, which began in 1948, she sang in more than 20 Indian and foreign languages.
Tributes are pouring in from the biggest names in Bollywood.
“It’s truly sad to learn about Asha Tai’s passing… her voice has been one of the pillars of Indian cinema and will continue to resonate the world over for centuries to come,” legendary actor Shah Rukh Khan stated over X. “A talent that will outlive many, she always showered me with blessings and love and I will miss her. Rest in Peace Asha Tai… love you.”
It’s truly sad to learn about Asha Tai’s passing… her voice has been one of the pillars of Indian cinema and will continue to resonate world over for centuries to come. A talent that will outlive many, she always showered me with blessings and love and i will miss her. Rest in… pic.twitter.com/ISuOwuAzDj
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) April 12, 2026
Songwriter A.R. Rahman simply declared: “Asha Bhosle Ji lives forever with her voice and aura… What an artist.”
Asha Bhosle Ji lives forever with her voice and aura 🌹🫶🏼🤲🏼… What an artist 🫶🏼#AshaBhosle pic.twitter.com/8aDs69NMzr
— A.R.Rahman (@arrahman) April 12, 2026
A few days before Bhosle’s death, the celebrated female actor Tabu wrote the following message: “Through your songs we felt love and longing..pain and passion..I will hold on to this for life…”
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