The ongoing International Film Festival of India (IFFI) paid homage to legendary singer Mohammed Rafi with a special panel discussion that saw veteran actress Sharmila Tagore reminiscing about her collaboration with the musical icon. The event celebrated Rafi’s monumental contributions to Indian cinema, marking his centennial birth anniversary.
The highlight of the tribute came when Sharmila sportingly joined singer Sonu Nigam to perform Rafi’s timeless hit Aasman Se Aaya Farishta from the 1967 film An Evening in Paris. A video shared by All India Radio News captured the lighthearted moment as Sonu, accompanied by fellow singer Anuradha Paudwal, approached Sharmila on stage.
Singing the iconic line “Kaho pyaar hai tumse?” Sonu turned the microphone toward Sharmila, who playfully responded with “Ja, ja” before joining him for the next lines. Their impromptu duet drew applause from the live audience and co-panellists, including Anuradha Paudwal and filmmaker Subhash Ghai.
Mohammed Rafi, known for his unparalleled versatility, sang over 7,000 songs across Indian and foreign languages during his illustrious career. Honoured with the Padma Shri in 1967, Rafi also received a National Award for the evergreen track Kya Hua Tera Wada from the film Hum Kisise Kum Naheen (1977). He passed away in 1980 at the age of 55, leaving behind an enduring musical legacy. The tribute at IFFI not only celebrated Rafi’s work but also underscored his timeless impact on Indian cinema and music lovers worldwide.