‘Way ahead of time’: Bappi Lahiri’s grandson Rego on his disco hits in Dhurandhar, Raja Saab

Rego Bappi Lahiri’s grandson, 17-year-old Swastikk Bansall, performs under the stage name Rego B. Rego recently released his debut single, “Chand”, and spoke about his grandfather’s influence and the enduring appeal of Bappi Lahiri’s disco classics. Bappi Lahiri’s music, including hits like “Auva Auva Koi Yahan Nache”, “Ramba Ho Ho”, and “Jimmy Jimmy”, has found a global audience long before the rise of social media.

Rego expressed surprise at the inclusion of his grandfather’s songs, “Ramba Ho” and “Koi Yahan Nache Nache”, in the films Dhurandhar and The Raja Saab, respectively. He also shared anecdotes about Bappi Lahiri’s meeting with Michael Jackson in 1996, highlighting the far-reaching influence of his music. Rego noted that his grandfather’s collaborations with international superstars, such as Snoop Dogg, Lady Gaga, Elton John and Akon, were a testament to his global appeal.

He fondly recalled how Michael Jackson praised his song “Jimmy Jimmy” during their 1996 meeting. The singer also shared that the iconic track “Jimmy Jimmy” is still played by marching bands in Russia when the President and Prime Minister appear. Rego is particularly proud of his new single “Chand”, released on his 17th birthday during Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations.

He believes the song resonates with listeners and carries a homely feeling, combining elements from the ’90s and 2000s in its lyrics and singing style.