I am overcome with emotions when I think of Bappi Lahiri. He was like family to me. I knew him even before I entered the film industry. His parents [Aparesh and Bansari Lahiri] were trained in classical music. My mother [Nirmala Devi] was a Hindustani classical vocalist. Bappi da and I got to know each other through our mothers. Few know that our relationship was a long-standing one.

He was known as the Disco King of India, who made people dance to his amazing tunes. But for me, his songs went beyond disco. When I listened to his songs, I would feel strongly connected to the tune and lyrics. Often, after a long day of shoot, I used to come back home and hear his compositions for the films I would do. We both used to sit down, hear every word, every [beat] and discuss how to [bring it alive] on screen.

There were times in my career when people would ask Bappi da why he loved me so much and defended me, though I wasn’t a Bengali. They would doubt my work, and ask, ‘Uss mein aisa kya hai?’ But Bappi da remained unfazed. He stood tall and supported me consistently throughout my career, giving music to my movies [like Ilzaam, Hatya, Aankhen and Shola Aur Shabnam].

Only God makes our careers. My mother was the reason I joined Bollywood, but I couldn’t have become a star if Bappi da had not stood like a rock behind me.

He supported not only my career, but also my brother Kirti’s. When Kirti turned filmmaker with Hatya (1988), no musician was willing to compose for his film because he was new. Bappi da said yes immediately. Among the other hits, he gave us Main Pyar Ki Pujaran. How can we ever forget that?

There are few artistes in this world who not only create amazing art, but also raise their voice against the wrong. Bappi da was one of them. He was so lucky for Mithun da [Chakraborty]. His voice connected with artistes all over the world. To me, his music was divine.

As told to Upala KBR

Bappi Lahiri with Kishore Kumar