Birthday boy Bappi Lahiri turns another year older today, and perhaps shinier. The disco king of Bollywood is known for his relentless fetish for gold jewellery, and he is hardly besmirched by the gold jokes doing the rounds, since time immemorial. That shows the sporting spirit of the musical Lahiri, also, his undying love for gold. It’s no wonder that he is currently in Dubai to celebrate his birthday, in a grand touch.
We, at The Quint, think Bappi da would be hip hopper happiest if he meets this famous five on his birthday.
Scrooge McDuck
The wealthy business tycoon from the Disney canon takes daily money both in gold and bullion. Most of the kids growing up in the 90s would remember him as Uncle Scrooge in Duck Tales. Like Lahiri, Scrooge has worked his way up the financial ladder from humble immigrant roots. Instead of a spa visit, a visit to the massive Money Bin overlooking the city of Duckburg would definitely please our Dada.
Smaug
Smaug, the fearsome dragon created by the J. R. R. Tolkien in his novel The Hobbit, might not be the most pleasant guy to meet on anyone’s birthday. But Bappi da, being the gold lover that he is, must be aware of the treasure of gold and jewels that Smaug guards in the ancient mountain. The dragon might change his mind after listening to Bappi da’s disco numbers, or perhaps shake a leg or two.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali
He is one man who creates his films and characters in a timezone that aam junta can’t have access to. Bhansali-land heroines have long, really long hair, they are fully covered, and adorned in jewellery of the most exquisite kind. Now Bappi da can choose whether he should meet Bhansali or his heroines to make a deal or two, and see himself in the mirror wearing all the shiny ornaments.
Midas
This is a tricky one. The legendary king of Greek mythology is known for his ability to turn anything and everything into gold by merely touching it. Bappi da can pick up a lot of random gifts on his way, and make Midas touch everything, but not him. No handshake or hugging allowed. Bappi da, jaan bachi toh lakho paaye.
Lalaji
Lalaji, the evil moneylender who took everything out of poor farmers with his sheer trickery and sugar coated words. Hindi cinema of the yore always featured a Lalaji, Kanhaiyalal being one of its celebrated exponents. Lalaji has everything, money, acres of cultivable land and jewellery of the farmer’s families. For Bappi da, the traditional jewellery is enough to take off his dark glasses and strike a deal.
Check out birthday boy Bappi da’s blingiest music video till date. Bring out those sunglasses before you do.