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Asha Bhosle family: From eloping at 16 with her secretary to fairytale romance with RD Burman, all about her life

Asha Bhosle, a pivotal figure in Hindi music, was influenced by her musical family. Her granddaughter, Zanai Bhosle, aims to continue this legacy.

Apr 12, 2026 02:50 pm IST
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Singer Asha Bhosle’s iconic songs helped shape the Hindi music industry. However, long before she became one of India’s most celebrated and versatile musicians, she was influenced by her family’s deep-rooted musical legacy. Now, her granddaughter Zanai Bhosle is set to carry that legacy forward. (Also Read: Asha Bhosle death news live updates: Legendary singer dies at 92 after brief illness, PM Modi pays tribute)

Asha Bhosle's family legacy

All about Asha Bhosle's fairytale romance with RD Burman.

Asha Bhosle hailed from the renowned family of Deenanath Mangeshkar, who was an Indian actor, Natya Sangeet musician, and Hindustani classical vocalist. She was just nine years old when her father passed away, after which the family moved from Pune to Kolhapur and later to Mumbai. She and her sister Lata Mangeshkar eventually became the breadwinners of the family.

When Asha was only 16, she went against her family’s wishes and eloped with her 31-year-old secretary, Ganpatrao Bhosle. The marriage did not last long, and she returned to her maternal home a few years later with two children and another on the way. The couple separated in 1960, but Asha retained the surname Bhosle, which eventually became her identity.

In 1980, when she married legendary composer RD Burman, she was 47 and older than him. Once again, both families were against the union, but the singer remained firm in her decision. Together, they delivered timeless hits such as Piya Tu Ab Toh Aaja, Mera Kuch Samaan, Yeh Mera Dil, and Aaja Aaja Main Hoon Pyaar Tera, creating magic in the music industry.

The entire film and music industry is mourning the loss of the legendary singer. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tribute on X, writing, “Deeply saddened by the passing of Asha Bhosle Ji, one of the most iconic and versatile voices India has ever known..."

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Riya Sharma

Riya Sharma is a content producer at Hindustan Times who lives and breathes entertainment. If there’s gossip making noise in Bollywood or a reality show moment breaking the internet, chances are she’s already writing about it. She loves digging out the juiciest stories, spotting viral pegs and turning it into easy-to-read content. A journalism graduate from IP University, Riya began her career as a social media executive, where she learned the art of grabbing attention in a scroll-heavy world. But her love for showbiz soon pulled her into entertainment journalism, because for her, it’s always been entertainment, entertainment and more entertainment. An artist at heart, Riya has a deep passion for acting, music and dance, which shapes how she watches and writes about films and reality shows. She loves sharing her views and reviews, especially when something excites, surprises or completely disappoints her. A hardcore reality show fan, Riya enjoys tracking every twist, task and meltdown, and breaking them down for readers who can’t get enough of high-voltage drama. Movies are equally close to her heart, whether it’s a big theatrical release or a binge-worthy OTT series, she’s always watching, and analysing what’s worth the time. She loves talking to celebrities, asking questions that go beyond the usual. When she’s not working, she’s either glued to a new web series, hunting for underrated thrillers on OTT platforms, or rewatching iconic Bollywood moments.

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