She has been known for her melodious singing for over 60 years. Now 78-year old Asha Bhosle is all set to make her acting debut in the Hindi movie Maaee that revolves around a woman suffering from Alzheimers disease who is abandoned by her son. The films mahurat was held at Mumbais Novotel Hotel on April 24. Guest of honour,filmmaker Yash Chopra sounded the clap after lighting the traditional lamp. The mahurat scene was shot on Asha,Padmini Kolhapure and Cadbury girl Shivani. The scene showcased Padmini,dressed in blue jeans and a black top teamed with a grey shrug,as Ashas daughter,walking into the room with a suitcase and calling out to Charu,her daughter played by Shivani. Asha,dressed in a light green sari,follows slowly. As the girl rushes out,she is hugged and kissed by Asha,who plays her grandmother. The shot got an okay in the first take and was followed by a round of applause. Chopra recalled that his relationship with the singer dates back to almost six decades. At that time she was a big singer and I was just an apprentice. Today I am a director and she is making her acting debut. She looks so young,just like a new heroine. I think her decision to act is better late than never, he smiled to which Asha replied laughingly,When I was young,Yashji never looked at me. Dekh ke andekha kiya mujhe. After all,there were other good looking actresses for him to select then. Talking about taking on the project,the veteran singer said that when she heard the story she liked it. When director Mahesh Kodiyal requested her to play the title role,she refused vehemently. But it was my beta Anand who convinced me to take up the challenge and since Anand is my jeevan ka anand,I can never say no to him,so here I am. But after this film, I dont plan to take on any more acting assignments, she promised adding that she has never liked acting. Asha revealed that when she shared this news with her elder sister,Lata Mangeshkar,the latter reminded her that she had already made her acting debut as a 10-year-old in Badi Baatein. I told Lata didi that I do not remember the song and she reminded me that it was Maa meri maa which was rendered by her. I only remember standing in front of the camera with my hands up and singing something, joked Asha,who sought her didis blessings before starting the project.'
