Son and grandson collaborate with veteran composer on his new project that also marks his reunion with B Subhash after 13 years
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 27, 2018)

Filmmaker B Subhash and composer Bappi Lahiri’s association dates back to 1982 and the Mithun Chakraborty starrer Taqdeer Ka Badshah. The duo had followed it up with the runaway hit Disco Dancer the same year. Their last project together was Classic Dance of Love in 2005.

Thirteen years on, Subhash and Bappi are staging a comeback with the former’s upcoming directorial, Disco Dancing Star, which marks the first collaboration of three generations of the Lahiris. While the patriarch has scored the film’s soundtrack, his son Bappa has arranged the music and grandson Swastik (Bappi’s daughter Rema’s son) has given playback.

“Subhash ji and I have always made a strong impact on the audience. Our chartbuster, 'Jimmy Jimmy', from Disco Dancer was dubbed in 45 languages. This time it’s even more special as my grandson has sung for the first time in a film. He had crooned a song on football earlier which was much appreciated. Swastik is only seven years old but has been trained in London and by his mother. He has a wonderful voice and I am really proud of him,” the grandfather beams, adding that he is confident that the songs from the new film will become chartbusters too. “I have been working for 48 years now and I know what the audience likes,” he states.

Subhash is quick to clarify that Disco Dancing Star is not a remake or a sequel of Disco Dancer. “It is in the same genre and is the journey of a young boy as he climbs the ladder of success. Since the story begins in the lead’s childhood, Bappi da suggested we use his grandson’s voice for the song,” informs Subhash.

Meanwhile, Swastik has also performed under the aegis of his grandfather at concerts, the most recent being in Pune where they sang “I am A Disco Dancer” together. “He is a big fan of Elvis Presley and Michal Jackson and sings English songs really well. All credit for his talent goes to Rema,” Bappida raves, adding that he won’t be recreating any of his old songs for Subhash’s project.

Swastik admits he is a huge fan of his grandfather and would like to follow in his footsteps. “I love the song that I have sung for Subhash ji and want to be a famous singer like my grandfather. I have heard his songs and love all of them. I would like to sing more songs in the future,” the young singer signs off.