“From 1970 to 1990, top music directors like Laxmikant Pyarelal, Pancham ji, Rajesh Roshan, Nadeem Shah, and many others were reigning the industry and it was very difficult for a new music composer to stand the competition. But, this magical boy Bappi Lahiri came and created a different music. He made music of his own kind, and it became what we call ‘Desi disco’ and he then created tap music for everyone, one that continues to be a hit even for the youth, and current generation, one that was evergreen,” he said.
Sharing his personal equation Bappi Lahiri, Subhash Ghai added, “He became a top music composer, but with a difference, that is Bappi Lahiri. You can only become an icon when people imitate you, not when you imitate someone else, and that is why Bappi Lahiri became an icon. We tried to work with each other on multiple occasions but failed to do so. We had great admiration and affection for each other, we used to meet each other with all the love, he was a wonderful person and a great soul, may God bless him.”
The entire Bollywood industry is mourning the demise of India’s ‘Disco King’. Akshay Kumar tweeted, “Today we lost another gem from the music industry… Bappi Da, your voice was the reason for millions to dance, including me. Thank you for all the happiness you brought through your music. My heartfelt condolences to the family. Om Shanti.”
Ajay Devgn also took to Twitter to say, “Bappi Da was so endearing in person. But his music had an edge. He introduced a more contemporary style to Hindi film music with ‘Chalte Chalte’, ‘Suraksha’ and ‘Disco Dancer’. Shanti Dada, you will be missed.”
