Asha Bhosle laid to rest with full state honours, India bids an emotional adieu to the queen of versatility
In an eight-decade career, Asha Bhosle recorded over 12,000 songs across various languages, including Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, and Gujarati. She died on Sunday at the age of 92.
Legendary playback singer Asha Bhosle's funeral was held at Dadar Chaityabhoomi cremation ground in Mumbai. (Credit: Express archives, Varinder Chawla)
A steady stream of admirers and associates of the late music icon Asha Bhosle gathered at her Lower Parel residence, Casa Grande, since Monday morning. When the flower-decked hearse, bearing a photograph of the singer, left for the crematorium near Shivaji Park, mourners and fans joined the procession, showering rose petals along the way. Dignitaries, political leaders and members of the film fraternity later assembled at the crematorium to take part in the last rites and bid her a final farewell.
Bhosle, who was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital in South Mumbai on Saturday evening following a chest infection and exhaustion, died Sunday noon at the age of 92 due to multi-organ failure. Since then, tributes have been pouring in from across the country and beyond for the icon, whose popularity cuts across borders, generations and walks of life.
One of the early visitors at Casa Grande this morning was music composer AR Rahman, who compositions for the 1995 movie Rangeela redefined Asha Bhosle’s versatility. A visibly emotional Sachin Tendulkar accompanied by his wife Anjali also paid his respects. So, did Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray and his family. Actors Riteish Deshmukh, Tabu, Ranveer Singh, Jackie Shroff, Helen and Asha Parekh showed up to pay their respects.
In a poignant farewell, hundreds gathered to accompany Asha Bhosle on her final journey through the city that has been her home for eight decades. Many fans followed the hearse as it made its way to Shivaji Park — five kilometres from her home — in the sweltering afternoon.
Asha Bhosle’s last rites were performed at Shivaji Park in Mumbai. (Express photo by Sankhadeep Banerjee) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at Asha Bhosle’s funeral. (Express photo by Sankhadeep Banerjee) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde attended Asha Bhosle’s funeral. (Express photo by Sankhadeep Banerjee) Bollywood stars Aamir Khan and Vicky Kaushal at Asha Bhosle’s funeral. (Credit: Varinder Chawla)
Amid the chanting of shlokas, top leaders from the state paid their respects to the legendary artiste before she was bid a final farewell with full state honours. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and deputy chief ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar were present.
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Actors Aamir Khan, Vicky Kaushal, Vivek Oberoi and filmmaker Ramesh Sippy were among those who came in, alongside singers Anup Jalota, Shaan, Sudesh Bhosale, Hariharan and Durga Jasraj, and musicians Anu Malik and Jatin Pandit to bid farewell to the incomparable artiste who represented a rich era of Indian cinema.
Alaka Sahani is a prominent film critic and journalist based in Mumbai. With a career spanning over two decades, she has established herself as one of India’s most authoritative voices in cinematic journalism, known for an analytical approach and insights that transcend the standard cycle of celebrity journalism.
Expertise & Accolades
In 2014, Alaka was honoured with the National Film Award for Best Film Critic. Her Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) citation specifically lauded her for "highlighting facets of cinema beyond glamour and gossip" and for her ability to delve into the contemporary relevance of iconic filmmakers. Her commitment to journalistic integrity was further recognised in 2019 with a Special Mention at the Red Ink Awards for her investigative feature, 'In Search of a Star'. Her article titled 'People Like Us', published in The Indian Express on March 27, 2022, was shortlisted for Red Ink Award, 2023.
Global Industry Leadership
Alaka’s expertise is sought after by major international and domestic film bodies:
Golden Globes: In 2025, she joined the international voting body for the 83rd Annual Golden Globes.
National Film Awards: She served on the prestigious jury for the 68th National Film Awards, helping select the finest contributions to Indian cinema.
Global Perspective: Her work consistently bridges the gap between commercial Bollywood A-listers and emerging independent talents, offering nuanced insights into both Indian regional cinema and international film trends.
Focus & Vision
Beyond the screen, Alaka is a dedicated observer of Mumbai’s vibrant theatre scene and the historical evolution of the moving image. Through her long-form articles and deep-dive interviews, she continues to challenge "tried-and-tested" templates, providing readers with a deep understanding of the artistic and systemic workings of the Indian and global film industry. ... Read More
Asha Bhosle’s last rites were performed at Shivaji Park in Mumbai. (Express photo by Sankhadeep Banerjee)
Maharashtra Chief Minister 
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister 
Bollywood stars Aamir Khan and Vicky Kaushal at Asha Bhosle’s funeral. (Credit: Varinder Chawla)