Exclusive: Having a bad day? Fret not, let Bappi Da crack you up!

Bappi Lahiri was at Barbeque Nation recently to visit its Bollywood Disco Carnival. Amidst the feisty lights and groovy music, the maestro looked at peace.

BI India caught up with the ‘Disco King’ for a slice of his retro pie. If anything came in the way later, it was the god-awful spell check. Damn you Bill Gates!

Disclaimer: The following content contains uncensored Bappispeak. Proceed at your own risk.

1. You’ve completed nearly 45 years in the film industry. How did you stay relevant so long?
People love me. My music is always good. I’m a singer-cum-composer.

I work with Dilip Kumar Saab to Jeetendra, Dharmendra, Mithun and Govinda. I sang for him, Amitabh ji. Aana Jana Laga Rahega, Greftar. Wo bhi superhit hai (That too is a super-hit).

What you are today, I have 120 Platinum disks if you come to my home.

2. How different is today’s Bollywood music from the 80s?
Us time pe picture bohot bante the (A lot of fims were produced back then). Me and Laxmikant practically had the full industry in our hands.

Today the Khans release one film a year. People watch a song, and not just listen to it anymore.

Also, we used to have live orchestra. I miss Kishore Kumar-Lata Mangeshkar singing with a 100 piece orchestra. First computerized song in Bollywood, write it down, Bappi Lahiri has written, Tamma Tamma Loge.

3. How different are today’s party anthems from the 80s?
Now-a-days I’m in Hollywood. I’m shuttling a lot between Los Angeles and home. EDM and Pop have a different beat, but melody is less.

Punjabi Folk with disco beats are a hit today, like the one Kanika Kapoor sang. I love Punjabi Folk. I once popularized Bengali Folk – Yaar Bina Chain Kaha Re and De De Pyar De.

4. Your fans complain you don’t sing enough in Bollywood as they would like you to.
Two very big films coming next year. I composed two songs there. I don’t have enough time. I leave for America. Because of Slum Stars I’ve got very good contacts in Hollywood.

The film got Best Film Award from Sydney. I have directed the film, and now it’s going for the National Awards. I’m also looking to submit for Grammys.

Everybody has dreams. I want to do international more. I want to project India, India’s classical fusion. I have done enough films.

Watch Dilwale, I have a shot there. Gold is my God. You can see the film.

5. Rishi Kapoor tweeted 2015’s Dhanteras would be yours.
See son, any Hip-hop star today needs to have a locket. Any rapper, Snoop or Akon.

We should copyright the dark glasses, bracelets and chains.

Today, Bappi Lahiri without gold nobody likes. That’s the image people have of me.

Any time I put the chain inside my shirt people say, “Bappi da, show your chain.”

6. Seriously, how much Gold have you bought this Dhanteras?
I don’t buy any more. I’ve had these for 25 years. (Points) This Ganpati is for 20 years, this Tirupati Balaji for 20 years. This ‘B’ Mrs. Lahiri, my wife gifted. It suits me.

Everything in Gold is old.

7. What other projects are you working on in 2016?
SnoopDogg-Bappi Lahiri is coming soon. I know, super hit song. Super hit song.

I also did an EDM. I am mixing it currently.

If you’re still undone, here’s some more Pure Bappi Magic. Enjoy!


Image credit: Indiatimes