Alka Yagnik, one of Bollywood’s most celebrated playback singers, has an unmatched legacy in Indian music. Starting her career in the 1980s, Yagnik’s voice became synonymous with Bollywood’s golden era. She delivered hit after hit, with iconic tracks like Ek Do Teen from Tezaab (1988), Ajnabee Mujhko Itna Bata from Pyar Toh Hona Hi Tha (1998), and Tu Chand Hai Poonam Ka from Jaane Tamanna (1994) among her vast repertoire. Her voice captured hearts across the world, making her a household name.
Osama Bin Laden Fan Of Alka Yagnik
However, in a rather unexpected twist, it was revealed in 2011 that Osama Bin Laden, the infamous leader of al-Qaeda, was an admirer of her music. During the CIA raid on Bin Laden’s hideout in Abbottabad, Pakistan, agents discovered a collection of Bollywood music files on his computer. Among them were several tracks by Yagnik, along with songs from other renowned playback singers like Udit Narayan and Kumar Sanu.
Alka Yagnik, when informed of Bin Laden’s admiration for her music, was understandably surprised. In an interview with Anu Ranjan, she responded with humour, saying, “Is it my fault?” She reflected further, adding, “Osama Bin Laden, whoever he was, must have had a small artist inside him. If he liked my songs, that’s good.” The discovery sparked curiosity worldwide, as it seemed contradictory to the known persona of the man responsible for several global tragedies. Bin Laden’s music taste, though, revealed an unexpected human side, one that appreciated the artistic beauty of Bollywood music.
Among the songs found were hits like Dil Tera Aashiq from the movie Dil Tera Aashiq (1993) and Ajnabee Mujhko Itna Bata from Pyar Toh Hona Hi Tha (1998), songs that became anthems for many Bollywood lovers. Yagnik’s voice had evidently left an impact even in the most unlikely of places.
In the same interview, Yagnik shared some challenges she faced in the music industry, particularly due to the politics that often surrounded song assignments. “I lost several songs because of industry politics,” she confessed, revealing how sometimes, despite rehearsing for a song, others would eventually get the chance to sing it. Despite these struggles, she maintained a calm demeanour, saying she was a homebody who preferred focusing on her work rather than getting involved in the politics of the industry.