While  there has been no dearth  of  anxious visitors and  callers  from India  inquiring about Rishi Kapoor’s health in New York, the one  whose concern  has  touched the now-recuperating  actor in  the US the  most,  is none  other than  Asia’s  nightingale  Lata Mangeshkar.

Not only has Lataji been inquiring  about Rishi’s health  from the Kapoor family—whom she’s very close  to—she has been  telephoning him regularly in NY  for first-hand health  bulletins. Says  Rishiji from  NY, “I have to tell you. After my family, Lataji  has been the most concerned about my wellbeing. Am really truly moved by her gesture. She calls me often here and truly cares. Shall always cherish her genuine love. How can I ever forget I have been in her arms as a two month old. Seek only her blessings!”

Speaking of her  enduring closeness to the  Kapoor family and to Rishi Kapoor Lataji says, “How  can I forget  how close I was to Raj Saab and  Krishna Bhabhi. We were  like a part one big family. Raj Saab loved me like his own sister . From his second film, Barsaat I was an indispensable  part  of his  cinema. The times we  had  creating composing and  singing those  immortal songs  in  Awara, Sree 420, Sangam,  Bobby, Satyam Shivum Sunderam and  Ram Teri Ganga Maili are among my most precious and cherished memories of my career. Bahot pyar tha  Raj Saab ko mere  liye.”

Rishi, says Lataji,  was  born in  front of her eyes. “I remember the birth  of all of Raj Saab’s children Randhir  Rishi Rajeev, Ritu and  Reema. I  have always been fond of all of them.When Randhirji  turned  director in Henna I  sang all  the heroine’s songs for his film. I also sang a song for Rajeev’s film Prem Granth (Main  kamzor aurat). But I didn’t sing when Rishi turned director in  Aa Ab Laut Chalen. He didn’t ask me.”

Rishi Kapoor tells me me Lataji  has been sending him  gifts over the years. Says Lataji, “When I heard Rishiji was unwell I  was very disturbed. Since  then I’ve been  keeping track of his  recovery. I am so pleased he is  almost recovered. I pray for him to be fully  cured and  to come back home  soon.”

Lataji’s parting shot, “By the way  Rishiji’s son Ranbir was born on the same day as me(September  28).”