Alka Yagnik recently shared her regret over turning down an early opportunity to collaborate with A. R. Rahman, a then-unknown composer in Bollywood. She and Kumar Sanu declined to sing for Rahman after receiving a call from Chennai, as they were unfamiliar with his work and committed to other projects. Reflecting on her decision, Yagnik described the songs she later heard from Rahman as 'beautiful' and expressed her frustration, stating she wanted to 'bang her head on the wall.' Despite their initial hesitation, Yagnik eventually collaborated with Rahman on several successful tracks, but felt embarrassed when he reminded her of the songs she missed out on. This anecdote highlights how both artists' careers have evolved, with Rahman now celebrated as a leading composer, having won the National Award for Best Music Direction for the seventh time. Yagnik's story serves as a reminder of the risks involved in artistic collaboration and the sometimes fleeting nature of opportunity.