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 Jimmy jimmy aaja aaja from Disco Dancer that was used in the Adam Sandler-starrer Don’t Mess With Zohan. Then more recently in Lion - they used my song Come closer. Years before these, the number Kaliyon ka chaman sung originally by ‘Saraswati Mata’ Lata Mangeshkar was used in an American album called Addictive. Then again I contributed a song of mine with rapper MC Hammer in the film Will To Live. And recently I sang for the Disney film Moana.Bappi Lahiri, Music Composer
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 Jhoom jhoom jhoom baba 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?’
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 toh Bappida jaisi…. sadabahaar’, I feel blessed. God has been great. I’ve been doing music for 47 years. Even now my Tamma Tamma is a hit in Badrinath ki Dulhania. Now with Jhoom jhoom jhoom baba 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?
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