Remembering Asha Bhosle: How iconic singer transformed Indian fine dining and reshaped global music

Mumbai: Legendary Indian playback singer Asha Bhosle has died at the age of 92, her family confirmed on Sunday. She was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital on Saturday evening. Her son Anand confirmed her death on Sunday afternoon.

While Bhosle’s seven-decade music career defined Indian cinema, her influence extended far beyond playback singing, spanning international collaborations and a successful global restaurant business.

Global collaborations that redefined Indian music

Bhosle was among the earliest Indian artists to consistently collaborate with international musicians, helping take Bollywood music to global audiences.

She worked with the American ensemble Kronos Quartet on the album Kronos Caravan, revisiting classics such as 'Aaj Ki Raat'. Her collaborations also included British pop icon Boy George and Australian cricketer-turned-singer Brett Lee, with their single 'You’re the One for Me' becoming a chart success.

In 2026, Bhosle featured on 'The Mountain', the album by British virtual band Gorillaz, further cementing her cross-generational appeal. She also collaborated with artists such as Michael Stipe and contributed to global fusion projects blending Indian and Western musical traditions.

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Her work was widely sampled and celebrated internationally. British band Cornershop paid tribute with the hit 'Brimful of Asha', later remixed by Fatboy Slim. Groups like The Black Eyed Peas also sampled her songs in global chart hits.

Over the decades, Bhosle performed extensively across the UK, US, Canada and the Middle East, often headlining large-scale tours with leading Indian singers.

Building a global restaurant brand

Beyond music, Bhosle turned her passion for cooking into a successful international business.

She founded the restaurant chain Asha’s in Dubai in 2002, with its first outlet at Wafi Mall. The brand expanded across the Gulf — including the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain — as well as the UK cities of Birmingham and Manchester.

The restaurants specialise in North Indian cuisine presented in a fine-dining format, with Bhosle personally involved in menu development and culinary direction.

The brand attracted global attention, with high-profile visitors including actor Tom Cruise and singer Pink at its UK outlets.

A legacy beyond playback singing

With more than 11,000 songs recorded in over 20 languages, Bhosle’s career was marked by constant reinvention — from ghazals and Bollywood classics to experimental global collaborations.

Her ability to bridge cultures through both music and entrepreneurship ensured her relevance across generations, leaving behind a legacy that reshaped Indian music’s global footprint.