My association with Bappi da began in 1978, when we collaborated on my directorial venture Taqdeer Ka Badshah, starring Mithun Chakraborty. It was on the set of this film that I decided to make Disco Dancer (1982).

It all began when, one day, I asked my assistant to call Mithun for his shot, but was told that he’s upset. When I went to meet Mithun, he said that he is earnest with his work, but things don’t seem to be working out. That’s when I told him that I’ll make Disco Dancer, which will make him a superstar. Back then, Bappi da was working on popularising the disco genre in India. Disco Dancer paved the way for Bappi da, Mithun and myself to become a [successful] trio of sorts. We three went on to collaborate on several films like Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki (1984), Dance Dance (1987), and Pyar Ke Naam Qurbaan (1990). While every song of Disco Dancer became a hit, Jimmy Jimmy was in another league altogether, becoming immensely popular in China, Dubai, Israel, Ethiopia and even Russia.