Lata Mangeshkar's statement against Md Rafi enrages son; threatens to sue Lataji

Mumbai: During a recent interview with a newspaper, Lata Mangeshkar claimed that Mohammed Rafi had apologised to her in writing. Rafi's son Shahid, who called for a press conference said that the statement was a publicity stunt and threatened to sue Lata Mangeshkar.

The famous Lata Mangeshkar-Mohammed Rafi fight seems to have returned back, even though it's years since Rafi sahab passed away. Speaking to Mumbai Mirror about her fight with Mohd Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar said, "Mohd Rafi saab and I fought over royalty rights. At a meeting attended by prominent singers and musicians, he stood up and said, 'Main aaj se Lata ke saath nahin gaoonga'. I retorted, 'Rafi saab, ek minute. Aap nahin gaayenge mere saath yeh galat baat hai. Main aapke saath nahin gaoongee.' I stormed out and called all my composers there and then and informed them to rope in another singer if it was a duet with Rafi saab."

When asked how they patched up, Lataji said, "Composer Jaikishan took the initiative. I asked him to get a written apology from Rafi saab. I got the letter and ended the cold war. But whenever I'd see him, the hurt would return."

This statement did not go very well with Mohammed Rafi's son Shahid who said in a press conference, "My father was national property. If she can prove my father wrote an apology letter to her, I am ready to apologise. But she should produce that letter. All I want is that the truth should come out."

Shahid, who feels that Lata Mangeshkar is feeling insecure, added, "My father passed away years ago, and now she is talking about this letter. People keep valuable documents for even 50 years. Why hasn't she retained the paper?"

He told the press that he would wait for eight to ten days and then decide to take a legal action if required.