Jan 31 2016

6 times Rekha Bhardwaj rocked

by   Shriram Iyengar

Behind every successful man is a woman, they say. Rekha Bhardwaj's claim to fame is far beyond her title as Mrs. Vishal Bhardwaj. She has breathed soul into some of the most melodious songs to hit the ears of Hindi cinema fans.

1 Ab mujhe koi intezaar kahaan

For her husband Vishal's film 'Ishqiya', Rekha Bhardwaj delivered one of her best songs. Ab mujhe koi intezaar kahaan was cool, fresh spring of water in the noirish desert of Ishqiya. 

2 Sasural genda phool

With an earthy voice that sounds pitch perfect in a women's gathering in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's Delhi-6 neighbourhood, Rekha Bhardwaj brought charm and oodles of flirt to the old woman's song. Of course, the graceful Waheeda Rehman added the rest on screen. 

3 Darling 

Taking the attention away from the swivelling sexy voice ofUsha Uthup is a task in itself. To do it in a song as jazzy as Darling, is an achievement. Priyanka Chopra was all spunk, but could not top the two powerful sopranos behind the screen. 

4 Phir le aaya dil

The music album for Barfi was a revelation for its melodious, peppy tunes. But the pick of the album was this beautiful ghazal sung in the voices of Arijit Singh and Rekha Bhardwaj. While Arijit's version is good enough, Rekha touches new heights with her voice.

5 Kabira 

Well begun is half done. Her role in this song might have simply been a couple of stanzas at the beginning and the end, but take that away and the song sounds insipid. The inspired low baritone of Rekha's voice adds a touch of pleading magic to Tochi Raina's invocation to the wandering soul. 

6 Hamari atariya pe

This one had to be the best of the lot! Taking a Dadra once sung by the legendary Begum Akhtar, Rekha Bhardwaj made it her own. Her command over the classical stands her in good stead with this nuanced performance. Even the legendary Begum would've liked this.