The grand old lady of Indian music has turned another year. But if her life story might have influenced any filmmaker to picturise them for the screen, they can think again. Lata Mangeshkar is clearly in no mood to let her life be turned into a biopic.
Speaking to a national daily on the occassion of her 87th birthday, the singer said, "I wouldn’t let a biopic be made on me. That’s because I don’t believe in them. I don’t like them." This is quite clear a statement from the singer who remains the hallmark of exceptional talent and dedication in this country. Over a career of 7 decades, Mangeshkar has sung for stalwarts like SD Burman and Salil Chowdhury, as well as the latest brand of exports like AR Rahman and Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. A fiercely guarded person, she would rather let her fans enjoy her songs than her life.
She said, "As you said, there are talks of a biopic on Guru Dutt being made… I’m certain that some unnecessary details will be included in the movie. I don’t approve of that."
The singer even went so far as to deny any autobiographies of her own life saying, "It’s not necessary that you meet only good people in your journey. There are some nice people, but there are others who wish ill for you. If I write about myself, and talk about an incident where someone did something bad to me, I’m afraid about what people will say. It will be pointed out to me that the other person is dead, and I wouldn’t like that. Why should I involve myself in such mud-slinging, especially with those who have passed away?"
Incidentally, she also requested her fans to contribute to the army in memory of the recent sacrifices of the jawans at Uri. She even tweeted about it on her social media platform.
Well, the lady continues to maintain her grace and standards. Age is just a number after all.