Anuradha Paudwal sits down with Filmfare for an exclusive and nostalgic conversation about her extraordinary journey through the golden eras of Bollywood music – from the soulful 70s to the chartbusting 90s. With a career spanning decades, Paudwal has carved her place among India’s most beloved voices. From lending her voice to timeless hits like Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahi, tracks of Aashiqui to devotional tracks that remain part of every household. Paudwal remembers the thrill of being in the same creative orbit as greats like S.D Burman, Mohammed Rafi, Mukesh, Jaidev & more. She reflects on her close association with T-Series founder Gulshan Kumar, who played a crucial role in reshaping the music industry and with whom she shared some of her most memorable successes. One such turning point came with the musical hit – Mahesh Bhatt’s Aashiqui, which made her the reigning voice of the 90s and cemented her as a leading playback singer of the era.

Paudwal shares tender memories of her late husband, music composer Arun Paudwal, whose companionship and belief in her artistry provided strength through every phase of her journey. She also speaks about the unwavering support of her in-laws, who stood firmly by her dreams when women in music often faced resistance. Among the most moving memories she recounts is her father-in-law’s final wish – to see her sing a duet with the legendary Asha Bhosle. Fate fulfilled that dream after his passing, leaving Anuradha with a sense of completion. Anuradha Paudwal further opens up with warmth, candour, and honesty about her belief in Mata, the potential of new-age singers and the spectacle of auto-tune in the music industry.