By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
Bappi Lahiri, Born 27 November 1952 at Jalpaiguri, West Bengal is ranked as one of the busiest and prominent music composers of Hindi films in the last few decades. The actor, singer, producer & composer rose to starry heights in early eighties with Mithun starrer “Disco dancer” singing ” Yaad Aa Raha hai Tera Pyaar” to the audience delights in general & from those coming from his home state, in particular. The popularity of the film’s success can well be gauged by the fact that it not only did brisk business everywhere, it also held the record of being the first Hindi fim to register a 100 crore gross worldwide. It was followed by many hits like “Namal Halaal”(1982) “Himmatwala” (1983),”Sharaabi”, “Kasam Pida Karne wale Ki” (1984) another Mithun starrer & “Aitbaar”(1985) with a wonderful ghazal “Kisi Nazar Ko Tera Intezar Aaj Bhi Hai” rendered by Bhupinder Singh, Asha Bhosle & picturised on Suresh Oberoi.
“Ghayal”, another super hit film directed by Raj Kumar Santoshi had music score by Bappi Lahiri. It won National Award and Filmfare Awards in seven categories including Best Director, Producer & Actor- Sunny Deol. It was followed by another hit the same year titled “Thanedaar” (1990). It grossed more than 10 crore & was declared super hit, also becoming the 4th highest grossing film of the year.
As an independent composer “Nanha Shikari” (1973) was his first Hindi film followed by Charitra, Zakhmee (1975), Aap Ki Khatir (1977), Surakksha (1979) & Mahesh Bhatt’s “Lahoo Ke Do Rang”. Bappi Lahiri received 6 Filmfare Nominations for Armaan, Namak Halaal, Sharaabi, Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki, Tohfa and Aaj Ka Arjun winning one for Amitabh Bachchan Jaya Prada Pran starrer Prakash Mehra’s “Sharaabi”.Kishor Kumar won the Best Playback Award for song “Manzilein Apni Jaga”.
The noted music composer also worked in many Tamil, Kannada Telugu Bengali & Gujrati films as music director. I met the music composer twice in Mumbai in 1988 & 1990.I found him sans ‘nakhras’ and ‘snobbery’, excepting his penchant for gold jewellery. .
Died 15 February 2022.
