ON ASHA TAI'S BIRTHDAY, REIMAGINING HER SUPER HIT SONGS WITH MODERN BOLLYWOOD DIVAS

The Queen of Bollywood Music turns 83 today, but for her, age is clearly just a number. She still has the voice of an angel. In a career spanning over half a century, Asha tai has won millions of hearts with her magical voice. She is considered to be amongst the best playbacks Indian cinema has to offer. Her achievement of being the most-recorded artist in the history of music was even recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2011.

So, on her birthday this year, we decided to do something different—we are recalling some of her super hit solos and re-imagining them with modern day divas! Who would fit Zeenat Aman's role Chura Liya Hai Tumne or Tanuja's role in Raat Akeli Hai? Well, you're just about to find out.

1. Kareena Kapoor Khan as Helen in Piya Tu Ab  Toh Aaja (Caravan, 1971)

Just like Asha tai, Helen is irreplaceable. But if there was one actress who could move to the legendary singer's sensuous voice in Piya Tu Ab To Aaja, it is none other than Kareena Kapoor Khan. She already won our hearts with Yeh Mera Dil in the remake of Don, what is to say she wouldn't slay again.

2. Katrina Kaif reprising Zeenat Aman's role in Chura Liya Hai (Yaadon Ki Baaraat, 1973)

This romantic number of the nineties still reverberates in hearts whenever we hear the familiar guitar notes.  It's is a timeless classic. While Zeenat Aman made this every bit as memorable as Asha Bhosle's voice, if there's someone from a current lot of actresses that this could be filmed on, it would have to be Katrina Kaif. She looks damn sensuous with a guitar.

3. Aditi Rao Hydari instead of Rekha for Dil Chiz Kya Hai Aap Meri (Umarao Jaan, 1981)

The mesmerizing Rekha dancing to Asha ji's melodious voice in Umrao Jaan, makes Dil Cheez Kya Hai Aap Meri one of the most memorable songs in Hindi cinema. We've already seen Aishwarya Rai try to recreate Rekha's charm in the remake of the film, but according to us, Aditi Rao Hydari would fit the bill much better. And we have proof! If you just take a look at the clip from Loot Liyo Mohe where Hydari is performing a mujra, you would instantly agree with us too.

4. Lisa Haydon instead of Zeenat Aman in Dum Maaro Dum (Hare Rama Hare Krishna, 1971)

Asha Bhosle's versatility in terms of the kind of music she has performed is unparalleled. She could go from the mellow Dil Cheez Kya Hai to the trippy Dum Maaro Dum in an instant. And if you've seen Lisa Haydon in Manali Trance, you know that if this song was to be re-shot, this is the actress you'd want to see reprise Zeenat Aman's role in this cult classic that is set against a backdrop of drugs, music and trance.

5. Kangana Ranaut reprising Bindu's role in Hungama Ho Gaya (Anhonee, 1973)

We've already seen Kangana Ranaut shake a leg to this song in Queen, but it left us wanting for more. Asha Ji's Hungama Ho Gaya is like a boost of youthfulness and energy, something one can easily relate with Ranaut. If the song was to be shot in Bindu-style, Kangana would most definitely kick ass.

6.  Parineeti Chopra as Asha Parekh in Parde Me Rehne Do (Shikar, 1968)

This song featuring Asha Parekh dancing to Arabic-inspired music was a huge hit. The magic of the two Ashas was considered impossible to recreate, that was until we imagined Parineeti bringing her bubbly charm to the table. The amalgamation of Asha Tai’s melodious voice and Parineeti Chopra'charismatic dance moves will most definitely create magic again.

7. Priyanka Chopra as Tanuja in Raat Akeli Hai (Jewel Thief, 1967)

Considered to be one of the most sensuous of songs till date, it was pure joy to watch on screen with Tanuja bringing it to life in Asha Bhosle's spell-binding voice. Today, if we can expect anyone at all to give rise to all of those feelings within us again, it will have to be none other than Priyanka Chopra. Well hello versatility!

What do you think of these choices? The list of Asha Bhosle's songs could go on but then we would run out of actresses to star in them. So with these seven, it's a wrap. And once again, wishing Asha Tai a very Happy Birthday!