Actress Rituparna Sengupta recalls how Bappi Lahiri encouraged her to make her debut as a singer

Like many artistes from both the Hindi and Bengali film industry, actress Riturparna Sengupta broke down after hearing about music legend Bappi Lahiri’s passing on Tuesday night.

Bappi Lahiri (1952-2022): The Disco King steps off the stage

Breaking into sobs, the actress said, “I cannot believe Bappi Da is no more. I am not in a state to say anything. I can only say a huge void has been created in the music industry. Our families were quite close, and he was our Dada. Now Dada is no more, and I don’t know who will be there to shower such love and affection on me.”

Sengupta made her debut as a singer with the single 'Phoolmoti', which was composed by Lahiri during Durga Puja last year.

According to Sengupta, the prospect of recording a song was daunting for her; however, it was Lahiri who convinced her to go for it. “A few months ago, he called me up and insisted on recording a song with him. I told him that it was impossible for me, but he kept on encouraging me. I went to meet him. He explained each word of the lyrics with care and attention and then we recorded Phoolmoti,” said the actress who knew the composer since she was a child.