Hi Friends, I hope you all  had a great weekend.

I did. On Friday, I watched RAJNEETI. I must say with each film Ranbir Kapoor is proving that he is one of the most dependable stars of Hindi Cinema. His talent is comparable to that of Aamir Khan; and of course his youthful looks are so refreshing.

Katrina Kaif too is not only a gorgeous girl, but given a suitable role, shows that she is not just a glamorous gal but can act too.

On Saturday, as we were leaving home around 5pm, for a graduation party, there was such a gigantic thunderstorm for just 5 minutes that the lights went off. We saw several fallen trees on the way and were wondering as to when the lights will return.

Anyway we enjoyed the party and around 8.30pm, called one of my neighbors to find out about the status of electricity. She replied in the negative and expressed very little hope for the lights to return that night.

So we stayed on with friends and by 11pm, made arrangements to sleep over at a friend’s place, whose house is not too far from ours. On my husband Anil’s suggestion, we decided to stop by at our home to grab our night clothes. As we entered our dark street, (after having seen the Mass Electric crew working among the fallen trees and entangled cables) LO AND BEHOLD suddenly we saw the lights came on, in our neighbor’s lamp-post.

I cannot express my jubilation at that moment. It was as if JAHAN MIL GAYA HO.

Really, we take so many things for granted, and only when even one of our possessions gives a miss, we realize its value.

Enough about my weekend. I know that you would rather hear more about ASHA BHONSLE.

So, the next time I met my Favorite lady was in 2007. We signed up the live concert featuring her with Sonu Nigam and the moment we announced it, as expected, we got a great response. This time we took a bigger auditorium, the Paul Tsongas Arena in Lowell MA.

It was scheduled in June.  My husband Anil received them at the airport and I welcomed them at the hotel. She was just 3 months short of turning 75 years young as her birthday is on Sept.8. This time, besides her son Anand ( Nandu) Bhonsle, she also brought her personal maid to help her dress etc.

She recognized us immediately and later in her room, I chatted with her as if there had been no gap of 8 years since we last met. When I asked her if she would like to shop, she said that all what she needed was Rogaine! Looking at her thick long lustrous hair, I couldn’t help but express my surprise, but she said that occasionally when her hair begins to fall, Rogaine immediately stops the hair fall.

In this trip we also noticed that Anand had lost a lot of weight and was looking quite sharp. He explained that after having failed with several diets, he ultimately succeeded with slow and steady life style changes --- Taking long walks and controlling his food portions. He now had a set of twins too and undoubtedly seemed a lot more relaxed and happy man then the last visit. Ashaji would beam with joy, each time you mentioned her grand children.

The concert on June 9^th was a Mega success. Besides their respective solos, Sonu and Ashaji sang some old duets like Abhi Naa Jao Chod ke from the old black and white film Hum Dono.

We had a nice dinner at Bollywood Grill at North Andover. Ashaji was happy at eating her favorite Bhindi sabji,  which had been specially made at her farmaish.

The next day, June 10^th was Nandu’s birthday and we offered to treat him to the restaurant of his choice. He asked for The Cheesecake Factory which had newly opened in the Burlington Mall.

So we had lunch there. As for dinner, all the members of the concert wanted to go dining and then clubbing with Anand to celebrate his birthday. Ashaji asked if she could spent a quite evening with us at our house and join us for a home cooked meal; as she was fed up with hotel meals. This was a first time request from any artist. We normally move into the hotel for the duration when the concert group is in Boston for convenience, nobody had ever requested to come to our house except once; Paresh Rawal came in for brief half hour to use the computer. Ashaji had one condition though, that we would not invite anybody else. How could we say no to her? We readily agreed and I rushed home to cook a decent meal. At 6:30PM sharp Ashaji walked in with my husband and first hugged my 77 years young mother in law (She was visiting us from Mumbai, my mom-in-law could not believe that she was sitting with The Asha Bhonsle!) When we requested for a few pictures, she readily agreed. In fact she even helped mom arrange her pallu for the camera. She was gracious to commend my cooking and also gave me several tips to enhance flavors.

Cooking is both her hobby and passion. She not only cooks everyday for her family,
(which includes her son Anand, Bahu and the twin grand children) but also owns 4 restaurants globally, in Birmingaham, London, Abu Dhabi and Muscat called “Asha’s Kitchen”. She told me that a fried Puri is less injurious to health than a Parathas’ as that being shallow fried, absorbs in more fat; where as a puri pops right up in hot oil and hence absorbs less oil. Logical, isn’t it?

After dinner, we settled down to chat in our family room. Both Ashaji and mom occupied the wing chairs on either side of the fire-place and on our insisting rested their feet on the ottomans. The conversation flowed from one topic to another. She was amazingly open and told us several anecdotes about R.D.Burman (her second husband) about her children, her eldest son is a pilot, her daughter Varsha and of course about Anand and  his wife (of whom she is extremely fond of !) and the apple of her eyes, her grandson and granddaughter (they are twins). It seems, even though they are of the same age, the boy is naughtier and often bullies his sister.

Many of her memories were private, these were shared with us as family in confidence; most were emotional; some were really funny. It would make very spicy and interesting reading but sorry I cannot share them with you, I cannot betray her confidence.

My mom in law could not believe that she was actually sitting next to such a huge celebrity and, naturally she was smiling ear to ear.  That evening felt like as if a close friend’s mother was visiting us for the evening. She left around 11, Anil dropped him off at the hotel.

Even though Asha Tai, ( that’s how I address her!) and my mom in law were almost of the same age, Ashaji, an extremely successful professional lady; yet behaved as if her life too centered around her home, kids and grand kids. That was her way to make mom feel comfortable. I noticed that Ashaji is extremely sensitive person, and she can spontaneously relate to people around her.
 

All in all, once again interacting with Asha Tai was a delightful experience and I wish that she enjoys a long and healthy happy life. Amen!

So bye now, enjoy the sunshine and do give me your feedback www.AapKaManoranjan.com.I love to hear from you.