Overview

• Shahid Rafi says a maulana told his father during Hajj in 1971–72 that singing was a grave sin, after which Mohammed Rafi returned to Mumbai and announced his retirement.
• He recounts that Rafi moved to London, where another cleric urged him to resume singing, with music director Naushad later reinforcing the advice upon his return to India.
• By the time Rafi came back, Shahid says some producers had replaced him with other singers, though he maintains his father never asked for work.
• In the interview, Shahid accuses Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle of trying to undermine Rafi’s career out of jealousy and insecurity, even admonishing Bhosle over alleged remarks about his range.
• He rejects the long-held view that Kishore Kumar’s rise sidelined Rafi and further alleges that Mangeshkar intervened to block a Guinness World Records honour he believes Rafi was set to receive.