Bhosle: 'Brimful of Asha helped at customs'

Asha Bhosle has said that being namechecked in a Cornershop song has given her international recognition.

The 79-year-old singer told the Guardian that being the inspiration behind the number one track 'Brimful of Asha' helped in clearing UK immigration.

"I was at the immigration counter at Heathrow Airport once and the young officer read the profession listed in my passport as 'singer'," recounted the veteran performer.

"He was intrigued, so I told him I was the Asha from 'Brimful of Asha', and he was so excited he left his post and called his friends over to meet me. So I guess, at the very least, that song helped me clear UK immigration faster than usual."

The Mumbai-based star is reported to have sung over 20,000 songs in 14 different languages.

Bhosle is currently touring London, Birmingham and Leicester with Shujaat Khan.