Bappi Da on Cloud 9 as ‘Guardians of the Galaxy 2’ Uses His Song

Bappi Lahiri talks to The Quint about his song ‘Jhoom Jhoom Jhoom Baba’ being used in the Chris Pratt film.

Bappi Lahiri reacts. (Photo Courtesy: Twitter/@BehindCinemas)

The Bappi Lahiri revival has been the biggest  phenomenon of Indi-pop art  in the current millennium. At the turn of century, we all thought Bappi’s disco sound from the 1980s was dead and done. But - miracles do happen - it was resurrected in unexpected ways. Now we are in the midst of  a serious Bappi bee-bop-re-bop wave, with as many as FIVE of his 1980s dance floor confections making it into Hollywood films.

The latest Bappi Lahiri song in a Hollywood film is Jhoom jhoom jhoom baba. Originally rendered by Salma Agha in the 1980 Mithun Chakrabrorty-starrer Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki, it’s now a part of the trailer of the Hindi version of the forthcoming Marvel comics’ blockbuster Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2.

Bappi, who is in the US, is on cloud nine.

I am soooo excited! I think I’m the first Indian composer who gets to have five consecutive songs in five different Hollywood blockbusters. First , there was my <i>Jimmy jimmy aaja aaja</i> from <i>Disco Dancer</i> that was used in the Adam Sandler-starrer <i>Don’t Mess With Zohan</i>. Then more recently in <i>Lion - </i>they used my song <i>Come closer</i>. Years before these, the number <i>Kaliyon ka chaman</i> sung originally by ‘Saraswati Mata’ Lata Mangeshkar was used in an American album called <i>Addictive</i>. Then again I contributed a song of mine with rapper MC Hammer in the film <i>Will To Live</i>. And recently I sang for the Disney film <i>Moana</i>.

Bappi Lahiri, Music Composer

Bappi Lahiri on Cloud 9. (This photo has been edited by The Quint)

Bappi says he is most excited about the inclusion of his dance track Jhoom jhoom jhoom baba in the trailer of Guardians  Of The Galaxy 2.

Do you know Marvel themselves chose my song for the Hindi trailer and the film’s lead actor Chris Patt loved <i>Jhoom jhoom jhoom baba</i> when it was played to him?

The 64-year-old Bappi is as excited as an 18-year-old.

He refers to stand-up comedian Kenny Sebastian’s viral interview with Chris Patt. When Kenny plays Bappi’s Jhoom jhoom … Chris comments, ‘Is it too late to put this music into our film?’

Also read: Whoa! Chris Pratt Does a ‘Butter Chicken’ Rap With Kenny Sebastian

Bappi da can’t contain his excitement.

I just landed in Los Angeles and I heard about Chris Patt’s praise. What can I say? Only Bappi Lahiri has survived so long and has taken Bollywood music to Hollywood. I am grateful to my fans, to my gurus and my parents who made sure I never took my success for granted. Old is gold, I guess. When people say, ‘Dhun ho <i>t</i>oh <i>B</i>appida jaisi…. sadabahaar’, I feel blessed. God has been great. I’ve been&nbsp; doing music for 47 years. Even now&nbsp; my Tamma <i>T</i>amma is a hit in Badrinath <i>ki </i>Dulhania. Now with Jhoom jhoom <i>jho</i>om <i>b</i>aba being part of Guardians Of Galaxy, I feel as though I am born again. I’ve so much more to give, and I don’t want to repeat myself. I want to take Bollywood music to every corner of the world.

Is AR Rahman listening?