Melody queen Lata Mangeshkar has disappointed her fans with her recent comments on Ranu Mondal stating that the internet sensation should “be original”. Many users along with her fans took on to the internet saying that the legendary singer could have been "more gracious. Such a superstar and so ungracious," wrote a user on Twitter. "A poor lady sang on a railway platform for a living. #RanuMondal's voice was miraculously noticed by SM and she became a star. Inspiring Lata ji could have been more gracious, complimented and helped her. This lecture on 'imitation' was avoidable," another user said. A user "disagreed" with Mangeshkar and called her "a bit harsh", while another said that this could have been taken in "true spirits by a senior artist like Lataji".
Lata Mangeshkar in an intervew had said that "Agar mere naam aur kaam se kissiko bhala hota hai toh main apne-aap ko khush-kismat samajhti hoon (If anyone benefits from my name and work, I feel fortunate). But I also feel imitation is not a reliable and durable companion for success. By singing my songs or Kishoreda's (Kumar), or (Mohd) Rafi Saab's, or Mukesh Bhaiyya or Asha's (Bhosle) numbers, aspiring singers can get short-term attention. But it won't last."
The video of Ranu singing 'Ek pyaar ka nagma hai' at the Ranaghat railway platform went viral and was compared as veteran singer and melody queen Lata Mangeskhar. Many even called her the new Lata Mangeshkar. However, it seems the melody queen is not quite happy with Ranu and the comparison.
She also gave advice to aspiring singers by saying, "Be original. By all means sing the evergreen songs by me and my colleagues. But after a point the singer must seek and find his or her own song." Giving an example of her own sister she further added, "If Asha (Bhosle) had not insisted on singing in her own style she would have remained in my shadow forever. She is the biggest example of how far individuality can take one's talent to."
The video has paved the way for her phenomenal rise from a street singer to a debutante playback singer in Bollywood. Mondal has now recorded three tracks for Bollywood singer-composer Himesh Reshammiya.
