In one of her previous interviews, the late singer had emphasised on how her family did not approve of public performances before, despite having a strong inclination towards music. However, she did not say no to an offer to sing for the All India Radio in 1952. Then she sang for a Marathi film, Shukra Chi Chandni. It was released in 1953. She began singing in Hindi cinema with the 1954 film Mangu.
She sang for movies like Miyan Bibi Razi (1960), Baat Ek Raat Ki (1962), Dil Ek Mandir (1963), Dil Hi To Hai (1963), Shagoon (1964), Jahan Ara (1964), Sanjh Aur Savera (1964), Noor Jehan (1967), Saathi (1968) and Pakeezah (1971). She has worked with artistes like Shankar Jaikishan, Roshan, Madan Mohan Kohli, S. D. Burman, N Datta, Hemant Kumar, Chitragupta, Naushad, Nashad, S. N. Tripathi, Ghulam Mohammed, Kalyanji Anandji, Vasant Desai, Ravi Shankar Sharma, Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Bulo C Rani and Usha Khanna.
