I no longer fit in Indian cinema: Lata Mangeshkar

Apr 9, 2013 IANS

Mumbai, April 9 (IANS) After recording songs for more than 1,000 films in 36 languages in a career span of seven decades, legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar says she now feels out of place in the Indian movie industry.

"Cinema has changed a lot from the times when we used to work. I will not say that it's not good, but I don't fit into it. If I would sing in any film today, then I don't think I will be able to sing it beautifully," said the 83-year-old singer here Monday at an event organised to announce the recipients of Dinanath Mangeshkar Awards.

However, she believes that "change is inevitable in this world," and said that she is not "blaming anyone for this".

From classical to romantic numbers to ghazals to bhajans, Lata has made her mark in a variety of genres.

Lata started her singing career in 1943 at the age of 13 with the song "Mata ek sapoot ki duniya badal de tu" for Marathi film "Gajaabhaau", and she even did bit roles in films for her family's living.

The singer admits she hated acting in films, but had no choice at that time.

"I have worked in some seven to eight films and I didn't enjoy it. I used to be very sad when I worked in those films. But at that time I was helpless. I had no choice," she said.

Her last song in a Bollywood film was "Tere hasne se" for 2011 film "Satrangee Parachute".

She also launched her music label LM Music with a bhajan album last year.