Asha Bhosle is all praise for Urmila's singing talents

Mumbai, Feb 17 (UNI) Bollywood actress Urmila Matondkar has come in for praise for her singing talents in the recently released album 'Asha and Friends' after the Legendary playback singer Asha Bhosle acknowledged her as a gifted singer.

Urmila features in one track of 'Asha and Friends' and impressed the 74-year-old singer with her vocals.

Asha gifted a huge statue of goddess Saraswati to Urmila as she felt that the actress had the gift of the Goddess.

''Urmila, Sanjay Dutt, Brett Lee and other singers who featured with me took me by surprise. Sanju's voice has so much baritone that it can give a complex to many male singers. Urmila was a revelation.

Her open throated voice reminds us of Shamshad Begum,'' she said at a get together to celebrate the success of the innovative album here.

The Asha and Friends album from Mauj featured Sanjay Dutt, Urmila Matondkar, Brett Lee and the Zee LIl' Champs along with Asha Bhosle. All the three music videos of Dutt, Lee and Matondkar have been stupendously received.

Ghazal legend Jagjit Singh who was present at the function also loved Urmila's singing. ''She is brilliant. I am stunned by her ability to sing. I only thought that she was a great actress,'' he said.

Singer Shaan said, ''I am so happy that Urmila has sung well.

She is so good that I am hoping to sing with her someday.'' Chairman and Managing Director Anupam Mittal at the helm of the People Group controlling Shaadi.com, Mauj and Fropper.com said ''This album has involved three of the biggest passions in our country- music, Bollywood and cricket. We have blended all these three in Asha and Friends. The album has been well received within the country and overseas not only by the Indian diaspora but also by a crossover audience - both in the physical and digital space.

''This has surpassed expectations and we are already planning Vol 2 of Asha and Friends. The overwhelming response that we have received has driven us to keep bringing music to you by various talents - known and new,'' Mr Mittal said.

Shamir Tandon who conceptualised and composed the album was ecstatic and said it was a big thing because these people though extremely talented sang for the first time. Sanju has sung other simpler songs before, but this one is a proper romantic number. Urmila has also proved that she is a gifted singer and performer as the success of the videos also proves. Even Brett Lee's song has been appreciated in the metros and larger towns.

Arun Gupta, the CEO of Mauj opined ''It is not just the singing and the composition that has done the trick. The sounds are also very different and that is a huge plus today in the digital and entertainment lifestyle. Adding to that is the credibility of these achievers from various fields.'' Ghazal maestro Hariharan whose song 'Kuch Der Tak' has already hit the market and is quite a rage in the second album from Mauj called Tanhai - Lonely Hearts loved Sanju's singing. ''I complemented Sanju on his singing. He truly rocks,'' he added.

All the videos were directed by S Ramachandran who said that he tried to bring out the relationships between Ashaji and other celebrities in the album.

''Everyone had a different kind of relationship with Ashaji as they know her for long. The best line however came from Ashaji after she saw the video with Urmila. 'Don't we look like mother and daughter?' she said. That summarises the thoughts behind the videos,'' says Ramachandran.

All the four songs from Asha and Friends 'Aap Ke Dil Mein', 'Haan Mein Tumhara Hoon', 'Mehbooba Dilruba' and 'Zamane Mein Aaye' are huge hits with their first three being chartbusters within the first week of the video release, he said.

UNI