She also paid composer Khayyam an unusual tribute by singing two songs from the same film, the award-winning 1981 period film Umrao Jaan. The film had brought Rekha and Asha many awards.
In an interview a few years ago, Asha had remembered nudging Rekha to do the film. "You will get an award for your work in it," she said she told Rekha. "People will remember you the way they remember Meena Kumari."
The movie met with a lukewarm reception initially but with the critical acclaim, it gained a high profile. Her faith in the film was vindicated when it won several important awards, Asha said. "People still remember the film, they watch it on TV, they watch its songs on TV," she added. "When many people think of Rekha, it is this film that often comes to their mind. And I for one, will not miss singing its songs at my performances."
Rekha was also the star of another landmark film in Asha's career, thanks to the award-winning Chain Se... in Pran Jaye Par Vachan Ne Jaye. Though the lingering melody by O P Nayyar, Asha's mentor and lover for over a decade and half, was deleted from the 1974 film, it became a hit, slowly gaining popularity and remaining on the hit charts for over a year.
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