Mohammed Rafi’s son, Shahid Rafi, has alleged that despite his father’s towering legacy, certain contemporaries in the music industry tried to undermine his career. According to him, Rafi never sought work during his lifetime, even when attempts were made to derail him. In a recent interview, Shahid accused the legendary Asha Bhosle for being responsible for this and also alleged that it was due to jealousy and insecurity. He also dismissed long-standing rumours of rivalry between Rafi and Kishore Kumar.Shahid stressed that his father had cordial relations with his male peers, but matters were different when it came to women singers. In a conversation with journalist Vickey Lalwani, he said, “They were jealous that Rafi saab was on top of them; they wanted everyone to be below. People were calling him number one, and they didn’t like that. I heard somewhere that he was sitting at home for nine years and was depressed. Please! Just listen to any song he sang in the 1970s.” According to Shahid, Rafi’s brief absence from the industry wasn’t due to professional struggles but because a cleric had once declared singing sinful. Rafi eventually returned after a short break.Taking aim at Asha Bhosle for allegedly dismissing Rafi’s vocal ability, Shahid remarked, “I don’t have any qualms about saying this to their face, and I had told Lata ji as much before her passing. She claimed that his career was spiralling, and that he asked her to forgive him. He never said this. I can tell you that Lata ji said this, and two people came to dad and asked him to forgive her. So many other singers were coming up, including her own sister. And she was insecure. Tell me who was at the risk of having a downfall?”Reflecting on Rafi’s peak, Shahid said, “He didn’t even have time for us in those days. I will never tolerate anybody speaking ill of my dad. I will not keep quiet, whoever it is. My father was my father, and I knew where he stood.” He further alleged that Lata Mangeshkar “intervened” when Rafi was set to be honoured by the Guinness Book of World Records, ultimately receiving the recognition herself. Rafi, Shahid said, chose to let the matter rest.Reiterating his anger at Asha Bhosle’s supposed remarks, Shahid added, “You are a learned person; have some shame. Not at this age. Put this! I’m telling her directly. Upar waala baitha hai. Mere baap ke baare mein koi kuch bolega toh mere se bardaasht nahi hota (God is seeing everything. I can’t tolerate anyone speaking ill of my father).” Continuing his message to her, he said, “You’ve gone old, talk about yourself.”Shahid also revealed that after a falling out, Rafi and Lata never shared a personal rapport again, though they did reconcile professionally and even performed together. The legendary singer, awarded the Padma Shri in 1967, passed away in 1980 at the age of 55 due to diabetes and heart complications. Go to Source
