Apart from our film collaborations, my interactions with Lata Mangeshkar extended to stage shows. I recall organizing a show in Bombay featuring Lata ji and Kishore Kumar. We then embarked on a series of shows in the US, covering cities like New York, New Jersey, and Chicago together. However, after the 1971 war, I had to arrange a show for Bangladesh, which Lata ji initially declined for ten days. Knowing her weakness for chocolates, I sent her abundant chocolates daily. Eventually, she relented and agreed to the show, jesting, ‘Waheeda, you’ve exploited my weakness cleverly.’ Her warm and amiable nature left a lasting impression on me during our collaborations, showcasing her professionalism and good humor.
