The two will share screen space in debutant director Mahesh Kadiyal's Maaeee

Padmini Kolhapure has had a stellar career as an actress so far, but she is now set for, what she calls, the biggest challenge of her career. She is to share screen space with veteran playback singer Asha Bhosle, playing her daughter, in debutant director Mahesh Kadiyal's Maaeee.

Kolhapure is especially happy because she has shared a close relationship with the Mangeshkar family. "I grew up before Lataji and Ashaji. When we met regarding Maaeee, Ashaji teased me, 'You have to give me tips on acting for this film.' I told her, 'Fine I'll give you tips on acting, but only if you teach me how to sing', " says Kolhapure.

The actor, who acted in films back in the 1980s before she got married and took a break from films, calls this the role of a lifetime.

"There aren't too many opportunities for actresses these days. Ashaji is a great mother in real life and has tremendous nurturing qualities. I don't think playing a mother will be difficult for her. Ashaji got me into acting. So, it seems right that I am sharing screen space with her."

While Bhosle's elder sister Lata Mangeshkar has briefly faced the camera as a child artiste, Bhosle has never acted before.

The 77 year-old singer says she took the plunge because she identified with the subject and her son urged her to take up the role. The fact that Kolhapure, who is like her 'beti' was playing her daughter, helped her decide too, she adds.