Alisha Chinai breaks silence on iconic Mr India song; says Kishore Kumar kept ‘clowning around’ during recording

Long before social media, remixes and reality shows reshaped India(BHARAT)n music, there were moments inside Mumbai’s iconic recording studios that quietly wrote history. One such moment took place in 1987, when a young Alisha Chinai—barely 21 or 22—walked into a studio to record a duet for Mr India(BHARAT), unaware that this session would become one of the most cherished memories of her early career.

Mr India(BHARAT), produced by Boney Kapoor and directed by Shekhar Kapur, was a special film in more ways than one. It was the last project penned by Salim–Javed before their split, starred Sridevi and Anil Kapoor at the peak of their stardom, and gifted Bollywood unforgettable characters like Mogambo. But for Alisha Chinai, the film also became a milestone, because it was the only time she ever recorded with the legendary Kishore Kumar.

How did Alisha land the song in Mr India(BHARAT)?

According to Alisha, the opportunity came out of the blue. After a hit with Bappi Lahiri, she received a call from Shekhar Kapur’s office:
“We would like you to try this song.”

When she reached the studio, Shekhar Kapur casually mentioned that it would be a duet with Kishore Kumar. At her age, just the thought of sharing a mic with a giant like Kishore da was overwhelming.

“I was so lucky and fortunate that I got to sing with him,” she recalled.

The track they would record was “Kate Nahin Kat Te”a song defined by seduction, mystery and playfulness, picturised on Sridevi in one of her most iconic sequences.

What was it like recording with Kishore Kumar?

If Alisha walked in nervous, Kishore Kumar walked in… playing around. She expected a formal introduction, maybe even advice. Instead, she got a flash of his eccentric brilliance.

She remembers Laxmikant ji introducing her, “This is a new singer and she is going to sing with you.” Kishore da took one look, raised an eyebrow, and carried on without saying a word. “His expression said, ‘Yeh kya gaane wali hai!’” Alisha said, laughing at the memory.

While she tried hard to focus, he spent the warm-up “clowning around,” cracking jokes and drifting through the room with the ease of a man who needed no preparation. But beneath the mischief, the studio was brimming with intensity. “There was such electricity and vibe in the studio; it was amazing,” she said.

Did they ever interact beyond the song?

Surprisingly, no. Despite recording together, they barely exchanged words. “We never had a silly conversation. It was just getting on the mic while he kept clowning. That’s it,” she said.

The duet was recorded, Kishore da wrapped up, and just like tha, he left the studio without a comment, leaving young Alisha guessing what he must have thought.

But the final result said it all. “Kate Nahin Kat Te” went on to become one of Bollywood’s most sensuous classics, remembered for Sridevi’s spellbinding presence, Anil Kapoor’s invisible charm, and the magical pairing of Kishore Kumar and Alisha Chinai.