He said that he feels “strongly” about Lata’s allegations as his father “has never been involved in a controversy before this”.
An old feud came back to limelight when Lata claimed in an interview to a leading daily on Tuesday that she had refused to sing with Rafi and had only agreed when Rafi sent her an apology letter.
Shahid called a press conference on Wednesday to give his response on Lata’s claim.
“If she claims that my father had written an apology letter to her, then she should come out and produce it. In case she does, I am ready to apologise,” Shahid told reporters.
“My father’s fan following is bigger than any artist. I think she (Lata) is insecure of my father’s fan following and that is why she has done this,” he added.
Mohammad Rafi was one of the most popular singers of 1950s and 1960s and gave hits like “Chaudhvin Ka Chand Ho” and “Maine Poocha Chand Se”. He also sang duets with Lata such as “Yunhi Tum Mujhse Baat Karti Ho” and “Tujhe Jeewan Ki Dor Se”.
Shahid also claimed that his father had no competition at the time, whereas Lata did. “There is no competition between her and my father, as actors like Shammi Kapoor and Dharamendra wanted him to sing for them. But there were female singers like Suman Kalyanpur, Hemlata and Mubarak Begum and others who might have been competition to her,” he said.
Shahid further acknowledged, “I have not tried calling her regarding this as she always seemed busy whenever I called her in the past.”
He also added that he was being supported by others in the industry as well, but refused to take any names.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 28th, 2012.
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COMMENTS (32)
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Mohammed Rafi is great singar & a good respectable man . Rafi should not be insulted. If Lata is telling the truth , let her show letter given bx Rafi Shab or say sorrey.
Lata's account on Rafi sahib's alleged apology letter betrays professional jealousy. Otherwise why one would raise such issue after 40 years.we love her songs, not her statements.
OP Nayyar said " I have nothing against Lata. It is just that her voice is not good enough. It is thread like."
@sabi: Sorry but I have to disagree with you. Rafi had superb tonal quality, that retained it's beauty, feel and expression equally in both lower and higher registers
@Pankaj: Lata is indeed great artist. However I won't call her the Greatest. Personal liking aside, majority will perhaps call Rafi the Greatest singer. Rafi had unique voice for all modes, seasons and range. Lata at times can be hard on ears specially when she hits the high tones.
@Pankaj: I donot buy your idea. rafi is the greatest singer ever born on our planet. lata is ethereal but rafi is heavenly.compara the songs sung by both the singers separately or together. rafi has a winning edge over lata.a composer could survive without lata but not without rafi. in gaayaki, range, flexibility of voice and quality of voice taken together rafi is far ahead of lata.
Neeraj Anand
Bhubaneswar@sabi: sabi ji lata is a great singer, there is no denying this but the highest slot of singing is reserved for md rafi dont speak of french connoisseur or indian govt, compare their voice quality, range,flexibility. rafi had a cutting edge over lata. rafi is the greatest singer ever born on the earth.
Neeraj AnandOP Nayyar proved very successfully that Lata was dispensible. Rafi was not.
Indeed Rafi was a GREAT singer and a great human. Never spoke a word against any one.
Probably age is taking toll on Lata, Rafi is the greatest Indian playback singer. A great human
it was lata who gave this statement, so she started this.... Rafi is a LEGEND period
@Positive Pakistani: We devote our time to important issues and problems. But evolved humans also take healthy interterest in art, history and literature hence authors and artists. It's nice to have healthy interest and it makes life bearable.
Are we left no other important topic to discuss???
Lataji is the greatest artist produce my India. She was not after the fame. she refrained herself from taking any award because this will kill the chances for any other singers. Many Music directors openly said that lataji is the main reason of their success.
I Love RAFI. MUKESH is my SOUL. KISHORE is Always Entertaining. LATA is Pure Harmony. ASHA sizzels. SHAMSHAD is pure MAGIC. TALAT is Fantastic. MANNA is always a Pleasure. Mehdi is Great.. But the voice that is more enchanting and captivating is that of the Master NUSRAT and RAHAT follows as well!!!!! . Enjoy, listen and appreciate ALL and critisize NONE. Be ONE with all and LET the MUSIC cultivate LOVE FOR ALL.
Well..It was expected from a son . A real son always praises his father . But an apology doesn't make anyone smaller . But I disagree with his statements . Both are great singers and apples can't be compared with apples .Rafiq had range , but Lata has numbers .Above these two , there is the super daddy Kishore Kumar. Lata should refrain from these kinds of statements .
@Common Man: Fully agree with you. Rafi has unique voice, apt for all modes, seasons and range. Apparently he was benign, humble and pleasant soul who never interfered with anyone. It's sad to see Lata amongst all leveling this inconsequential allegation. Bad taste to say the least.
There was feud between the two singers over royalty. While Lata wanted more share Rafi was of the opinion that he is happy with whatever he is getting and refused to become part of Lata's protesting and threatening gang. Rafi took the high road and he has my respect for this humble and down to earth action as opposed to Lata's greed. It's sorry to see someone like LAta's stature to indulge in controversy like this more than 30 years after Rafi's death.
Late jee is a very big singer and is respected by all and so was Muhammad Rafi. I think Lata jee should not enter into any controversy due to her highest name in singing for thousand of films and so many languages. Rafi is no longer in this world but unfortunately we could not produce or find anyone whom we can compare as voice of Muhammad Rafi. Both Lata jee and Rafi can not be replaced. We who know music from all angles give lot of respect to both these singers. They are ever green and shall remain so.
there was no need for LATA to bring up the point, especially when RAFI is no longer alive.
btw, all his acquaintances spoke of him as a very humble and down to earth man, and their is a chance that he may have writen the letter, owing to his humility.
but what was the need to bring up the point?
not good.....
cheap chap... wants to earn 2 mins of limelight.
@Sajid: I don't think he did. But why to raise this nonissue after 40 years. Not the most sensible or generous act.
I don't believe in Lata's account. Why is she digging the grave after 40 years. Guilty conscious or simply tactless!
There was a disagreement between Rafi and Lata in 60s on issue of royalty and they didn't sing together for three years. Rafi died in 1982. Lata had spoken on this episode from time to time but never about any apology. Now after four decades, she has come up with the story of apology letter. Lata is Great singer but not necessarily the the most intelligent and upright person on the planet. For her sake she should stop digging the graves.
Absulutly rubish,no voice can be compared with lata. Lata is a phenomenon and will remain phenomenon.I have heard that french scientists have requested Lata mangeshkar throat for research after her death.Lata is the best.
There was some misunderstanding between Lata and Rafi in late 60s on issue of royalty. Why Lata had raised this nonissue after four decades, is beyond me! Rafi passed away in 1980, and Lady has taken 32 years to come out with this story. Lata is Great singer but not necessarily the most intelligent and fair person on planet. She should refrain from digging the graves.
Even if Rafi had apologized, does this make him any smaller? I think Rafi's son is the one who is insecure.