A sentimentally charged Rekha co-presented the 5th Yash Chopra Memorial National Award Trophy instituted by philanthropist M.P. Dr. T. Subbarami Reddy to the ageless, evergreen playback and pop melody-queen Asha Bhosle, who in turn seemed to be touched by Rekha’s ecstatic overtures. The classy event which had the State Governor Chi.Vidyasagar Rao as the chief guest, also witnessed a turnout of stars including the suave Jackie Shroff, the gorgeous Jaya Prada, charming actresses Padmini Kolhapure, Poonam Dhillon and Parineeti Chopra and was in association with co-hosts Anu and Shashi Ranjan.
A stunned audience gazed while Rekha offered her obeisance to the iconic songster Asha by kneeling on the dais to touch her feet and kiss her hands and later her cheeks. In her emotionally charged speech, Rekha revealed that, “Beautiful Asha-tai has always been an integral part of me,” and profusely thanked the fabulous singer for being her “soul-voice” which in turn brought out her best screen-performances. It may be recalled that the versatile Bhosle has sung numerous playback chartbusters picturised on Rekha including ‘Qatra Qatra’ (Ijaazat) and classical gems like ‘Piya Baawre’ (Khubsoorat) and ‘Dil Cheez Kya’ (Umrao Jaan). In her emotionally-touching acceptance speech, the 84-year ‘young’ energetic Asha-tai, jogged into the memory lane recalling her ‘struggle phase’, her singing debut in 1943 and her close family association with the legendary film-maker Yash Chopra. In keeping with her sense of humour, the exuberant Bhosle quipped, “Hum angrezon ke zamaane ke ‘singer’ hai ”--- a witty take-off on Asrani’s famous ‘Sholay’ film dialogue.