Rohan Umak
Asha Bhosle funeral: India bid a tearful and emotional farewell to legendary playback singer Asha Bhosle on Monday, as her last rites were performed in Mumbai. The funeral pyre was lit at the Shivaji Park crematorium, marking the end of an era in Indian music.
Her mortal remains were draped in the tricolour, and were brought to the crematorium amid tight security and a sea of grieving admirers. A police guard handed over the national flag to her son, Anand Bhosle, in a poignant moment that underscored her outstanding contribution to the nation.
Fans, film fraternity unite
Bhosle’s funeral procession moved slowly through Mumbai’s bustling streets, with thousands gathering to pay their last respects. The crowd hailed slogans of ‘Asha Tai Amar Rahe’ and ‘Jab Tak Suraj Chaand Rahega, Asha Tai Ka Naam Rahega,’ reflecting the deep emotional connection the singer shared with them.
Watch Bhosle being accorded the state honours in the tweet below:
#WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra: Legendary singer Asha Bhosle laid to rest with full state honours.
Asha Bhosle passed away at the age of 92 yesterday at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai. pic.twitter.com/zbZsIyIDiI
— ANI (@ANI) April 13, 2026
Several eminent personalities, like Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, state’s Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, filmmaker Ramesh Sippy, actors Ranveer Singh, Vivek Oberoi, Tabu, Riteish Deshmukh and Jackie Shroff and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar were seen bidding a final goodbye.
Tributes poured in from borders too, as Pakistani stars Imran Abbas, Ali Zafar, Reema Khan and Adnan Siddiqui chipped in, calling her the ‘queen of music.’
Asha Bhosle funeral: Mumtaz expresses gratitude, Jackie Shroff lashes out at paps
Veteran actor Mumtaz, during the heart-wrenching moment, expressed gratitude towards Bhosle, outlining how her voice brought life to her on-screen performances. Sharing a nostalgic video, she described the singer as ‘the soul behind countless cherished moments.’
However, the solemn atmosphere was disrupted for a brief moment when actor Jackie Shroff rebuked paparazzi for asking insensitive questions. Visibly emotional, he then urged them to respect the gravity of the moment, asserting that such occasions demand silence and empathy rather than intrusion.
Notably, Bhosle passed away on April 12 at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital at 92. She was renowned for timeless classics such as Aaiye Meherbaan, Kajra Mohabbat Wala and Jaiye Aap Kahan Jayenge, and defined generations of Indian cinema.
