Waheeda Rehman: Lata Mangeshkar had a weakness for chocolates, she used to gift me the loveliest sarees – Exclusive! – Times of India

Waheeda Rehman like billions of Indians today is mourning the loss of India’s Nightingale, Lata Mangeshkar. Speaking to ETimes, Waheeda recalled many anecdotes and memorable stories of the time she spent with Lata ji. They travelled across the US and other foreign lands, participating in shows together. Recalling, these memories, Waheeda reveals an unknown side of Lata Mangeshkar. A fun loving, jovial and humble woman, who wanted to spread love and positivity at all times. Excerpts:

‘Lata Mangeshkar loved chocolates’

Apart from films, my association with Lata Mangeshkar extended to the stage shows we did together. I had organised a stage show with Lata ji and Kishore Kumar in Bombay. Then, we had a series of shows in the US where we visited New York, New Jersey, Chicago and other cities together. But, I had to organise a show for Bangladesh, after the 1971 war and I approached Lata ji and she said a no. She kept refusing for 10 days, but then I found out a weakness that I decided to take advantage of. Lata ji had a weakness for chocolates and I sent her loads and loads of chocolates, everyday. Eventually, she gave in and agreed to do the show, but she remarked, ‘Waheeda, you’ve figured my weakness and taken advantage of me. You’re very smart.’ I was just smitten by her warmth and her affable nature.

‘She was the most sincere and hard working person around’

Someone asked Lata didi, you’ve sung thousands of songs, but which is that one that you call your favourite. And she chose, Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna Hai (Guide). That’s my personal favourite, too. The situation that the song depicts is so beautiful and it was filmed so beautifully as well. I got the chance to interact with Lata ji a lot during the shows that we did together in the US. My biggest takeway from those conversations with Lata ji was that despite scaling such heights of popularity and being such a big celebrity, she was still so sincere and serious about her singing. She never took her ability to sing for granted. She never said, ‘theek hai, main Lata Mangeshkar hoon, gana gaa loongi’. She used to sit back stage and keep doing her riyaaz till she perfected her suur before going on stage and singing. And this, she used to do every single time. The sincerity and hard work that she put in, made her the Lata Mangeshkar.

Lata didi always used to ask the director about the situation in which the song would be based. She would also ask which artiste would the song be shot with. She used sing according to these parameters.

‘Lata Mangeshkar carried buckets of water for me’

There’s another unforgettable incident from Bangladesh. When we went to Dhaka, we were living in Army accommodations. There was Sunil Dutt, Nargis, Mala Sinha and I. Lata ji and Madhumati were also there. Our quarters didn’t have a steady water supply, so we couldn’t take a bath for a couple of days. But, Mala Sinha and Lata ji had separate rooms with 24-hour running water. I hadn’t had a bath for 2 days and I couldn’t control anymore. I walked upto Nargis ji and told her that I am going to go and ask Lata ji and Mala ji and take a bath in one of their rooms. Nargis ji asked me, ‘Do you really want to do that? What if they say no?’ I reacted and replied, ‘What’s there to say no for? I am lady, just like them, why would there be a reason to refuse?’ So I went up to Lata ji’s room and politely asked her if I could take a bath in her bathroom. Lata ji promptly asked me to use her bathroom. I rushed with my clothes and started taking a bath. But, mid-bath the water stopped. I was all soaped up and in peril. I called out to Lata ji for help. In the sweetest gesture, she actually filled and hauled buckets of water to the room. She was 10-years my senior, but that didn’t matter. Like a good person, she helped another person out. When I shared this incident with Nargisji she was taken aback. She asked me how I could ask ‘the Lata Mangeshkar’ to fill buckets of water for my bath. And I told Nargis ji the same thing, it was the most human thing to do. I couldn’t have an army jawan bringing me buckets of water while I was bathing. (Laughs)

‘Lata ji was a fantastic cook’

For many years after that, when I used to be in Mumbai, I used to send biryani, kebabs and chocolates to Lata ji’s house. In return she would send me such beautiful sarees. Our exchange continued for many years. Lata ji was also a fantastic cook. After the Bangladesh trip, she invited Sunil, Nargis ji and I home for lunch. She cooked up such a fantastic array of Maharashtrian food and then followed it up with exquisite saree gifts for all of us. She was a fabulous host.

I feel sorry to have lost a friend and someone who I shared such a wonderful rapport with. But I am content in knowing that Lata ji, her songs and voice will be remembered by millions for the next hundred years and more.