Prakash Mehra, Bappi Lahiri and Amitabh Bachchan during the making of Namak Halaal

As told to Sonam Joshi (THE TIMES OF INDIA; July 18, 2021)

When (director) Prakash Mehra ji and (lyricist) Anjaanji came to my studio, it was raining a lot in Mumbai. Mehra ji told me, “Bappi, can you make a song about this rain?” The lyrics had been composed by Anjaan ji, who was one of the best writers I have worked with. I made a mukhda for ‘Aaj Rapat Jaye Toh’, and when I played it for Prakash ji, he liked it so much that I didn’t even have to try another version.

Though I am credited with bringing disco to India, I also did many numbers inspired by classical ragas. ‘Aaj Rapat Jaye Toh’ was a totally Indian song. I used instruments such as santoor, violin, mandolin and the sitar and the first two helped evoke the mood of the rains. There are very few rain songs which go on to become evergreen hits, but ‘Aaj Rapat Jaye Toh’ went on to become one.

The song’s mazaa (fun) comes also from the singing and dancing. It was sung by Asha ji (Bhosle) and Kishore mama (Kumar) who added their own touches such as the arre, arre, arre in the beginning. Though I composed the song, I do my salaam to both Amit ji and Smita ji (Amitabh Bachchan and Smita Patil) for that outstanding rain dance.

Nowadays, there are fewer rain songs in Hindi films but I believe they will come back in fashion one day. On a personal note, I believe the rains have been lucky for me. I recorded my life’s most memorable song, ‘Chalte Chalte’, sung by Kishore Kumar in the 1976 film of the same name during the rains in July. Now, Namak Halaal is being remade but even if they remix this song, they can’t get Kishore Kumar’s one and only voice. The magic of ‘Aaj rapat’ can’t be copied.