Lost another gem from music industry: Celebs remember Bappi Lahiri

A wide array of cine personalities, including superstars Akshay Kumar, Chiranjeevi, Vidya Balan, Sanjay Dutt, Madhuri Dixit and filmmaker Karan Johar, on Wednesday mourned the demise of Bappi Lahiri, India's very own "Disco King", and said the singer-composer will always be remembered for his melodies.

Lahiri, known for chartbuster tracks like "Disco Dancer", "Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy Aaja", "Koi Yahan Aha Nache Nache" and "Tamma Tamma Loge", died following multiple health issues on Tuesday night at the CritiCare Hospital in Juhu.

The 69-year-old had been admitted to the hospital for a month and was discharged on Monday. Lahiri's death comes just days after music legend Lata Mangeshkar's demise on February 6.

Kumar took to Twitter and wrote that the composer's music was the reason for many to smile and dance.

"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," the actor wrote.

Chiranjeevi took to Twitter and posted a note remembering Lahiri, who had composed music for several of his Telugu films from the late 80s to the 90s, including "Big Boss", "State Rowdy", "Rowdy Alludu" and "Gang Leader".

"I had a great association with Bappi da. He gave numerous chartbusters for me which contributed immensely to my films popularity. He will always be remembered for his unique style and his great enthusiasm for life which reflected in his music. My heartfelt condolences to all his near and dear," the 66-year-old actor tweeted.

In an apparent nod to Lahiri's love for gold, Johar called him the "gold standard in music".

The filmmaker's 2006 drama "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna" borrowed its title from the composer's chartbuster "Chalte Chalte Mere Ye Geet Yaad Rakhna", sung by Kishore Kumar and penned by Amit Khanna, from "Chalte Chalte" (1976).

"The Gold Standard in music. The Disco King forever. He will be truly missed forever," Johar wrote.

Dutt and Dixit, who famously grooved to Lahiri's 1990 hit "Tamma Tamma Doge" from "Thanedaar", also remembered the singer.

"Shocked to hear about #BappiLahiri Ji's demise. Bappi Da, you have left the world, but you will stay in our hearts forever," Dutt wrote.

Dixit tweeted, "This is a big loss for the Hindi Music Industry. Today we've lost a gem with a golden heart & a golden voice while the heaven found it's treasure. You'll be truly missed, Bappi Da Rest in eternal melodious peace."

Balan, who featured in his popular song "Ooh La La" from the 2011 film "The Dirty Picture", wrote that Lahiri brought joy to the world with his music.

"I wish you joy wherever you go Bappi da because that's what you brought to the world through your music and your being. Love always, Bidda (as you'd so endearingly call me)," she said.

AR Rahman, who had collaborated with Lahiri on the track "Ek Lo Ek Muft" for Mani Ratnam's "Guru", shared the news of his demise on Twitter and wrote, "#RIPbappida ..Bappi Lahiri, the Disco King of Hindi cinema!"

Ajay Devgn called 'Bappi da' an "endearing" personality whose music had an edge.

"He introduced a more contemporary style to Hindi film music with 'Chalte Chalte', 'Suraksha' and 'Disco Dancer'," Devgn wrote.

Singer-composer Vishal Dadlani, who collaborated with Lahiri on songs like "Ooh La La" and "Bambai Nagaria" for "Taxi No 9211" (2006), told PTI the veteran was "was more than a legend".

"He was a friend. He was always kind to Shekhar and me and we shared a mutual respect and admiration. I can't believe he isn't with us any more. First my father, then Lataji, then BappiDa. 2022 is really hitting hard," he said.

Lahiri, a familiar figure for many with his trademark gold chains and sunglasses, was known for his songs in several films of the late 70s-80s. These included "Chalte Chalte", "Disco Dancer", and "Sharaabi".

In the 2000s, Lahiri also sang "Tune Maari Entriyaan" from 2014's "Gunday".

His last Bollywood song titled 'Bhankas' was for the 2020 film "Baaghi 3".

The musician last worked on "Ganpati Bappa Morya" in September 2021. He gave the music to the devotional song, voiced by the US-based Indian singer Anuradha Juju Palakurthi, who said in Lahiri's death she had lost a mentor.

Though Lahiri was associated and got nationwide acclaim for the disco sound he brought to the Hindi music landscape, he was also known for composing some of the most melodious songs of his era, including "Chalte Chalte Mere Ye Geet Yaad Rakhna" and "Pag Ghunghroo Bandh Meera" from "Namak Halaal".

"Bappi da gave us some great musical films like 'Saaheb', 'Mohabbat', 'Insaaf Ki Awaaz' and 'Zindagi Ek Jua'... The song 'Yaar bina chain kahan re' will remain iconic. Will miss his warm, humble and childlike innocence always," actor Anil Kapoor tweeted.

Singer Kumar Sanu, who worked with Lahiri on many songs, including "Sochna Kya Jo Bhi Hoga" from "Ghayal", said,"You'll always be in our hearts. I still can't believe it. Met him few days back and he was so lively. Have so many memories of himMay God gives strength to the family."

Popular names of Bengali cinema also remembered Lahiri, who was born in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district to musician parents --Aparesh Lahiri and Bansuri Lahiri.

Filmmaker Srijit Mukherji tweeted, "Yeh naina, yeh kaajal...and to many such melodies lost in the glitz of the Disco wave. Alvida, Bappida."

Prosenjit Chatterjee posted, "We've lost another gem... Shocked beyond word.