I watched so many matches of Jarnail Singh, P.K. Banerjee, Chuni Goswami and Peter Thangaraj.

I've always been a football fanatic.

Lata Mangeshkar is an old friend. I knew her through my father Aparesh Lahiri who was a music director in Calcutta.

I have been a tabla player since the age of four.

The first film I gave music for was a Bengali film called 'Dadu.'

I am extremely lucky I have done so many songs with Lata Mangeshkar.

Abroad in Hollywood, I am called Bling Bling Bappi.

It never bothered me that people made fun of my passion for gold... I would never feel bad when people ridiculed me for my fascination with gold.

I don't wear any jewellery or gold at home.

I have always got gold from my family.

In Hollywood, famous singer Elvis Presley used to wear gold chains. I was a huge follower of Presley. I used to think, if I become successful someday, then I will build a different image of mine. By the grace of God, I could do it with gold.

Gold is lucky for me.

This new age metal Luminex Uno- made up of gold, platinum and silver is excellent.

The 80s was an outstanding era.

My style of songs will never get old because the music is very catchy.

I miss the 1980s era.

Jeetendra and I had 14 silver jubilee films.

People love me.

My music is always good.

I love Punjabi Folk.

Everybody has dreams.

Naino Main Sapna,' 'Taaki O Taaki' in 'Himmatwala' was my baby.

My parents, Aparesh and Bansari Lahiri were very famous singers from Kolkata.

At the age of 11, I started composing and my first composition was sung by my father.

I told my father that I was not interested in studies. I was more interested in tabla, piano and other instruments. My father told me to complete school and then I could do music full-time.

I was about 17 when I began my career.

I was about 19 when I began working for Hindi films.

I cannot be confined to just one or two kinds of music.

All these years, I have never forgotten what my parents have given me, and that is why I take special pride in composing music based on ragas and used folk music in films like 'Apne Paraye.'

Mentoring is an interesting job.

I like 'Intaha ho gayi ithazar ki' from 'Sharaabi' and 'Chalte Chalte.' I like them because they are immortal.

The period between 1980 and 1995 was my era.

Reality shows like 'SaReGaMaPa' are a huge platform for young talent. Thanks to television, they have more exposure than we could even imagine.

Congress is a culture and I would love to be part of it.

Ever since my childhood days in Kolkata, where I was born, I had seen my father interacting with Congressmen.

Sonia Gandhi is great. She is adorable.

Bappi Lahiri has a voice that alone is loud and musical enough to sway people.

You can't compare Lata Mangeshkar with anyone.

I don't have words for her. I only know there will be not another Lata Mangeshkar.

I've been lucky. Massy songs like 'Bambai se aaya mera dost' from one of my earliest films and 'Tu ne maari entry' have been specially successful for me. I am blessed.

It's in God's hands when we come on this earth and when we leave.

So many distinguished members of our film fraternity like Lalita Pawar, A K Hangal and OP Nayyar faced financial hardships before they passed away. We need to look after the old and vulnerable entertainers.

If I can do anything to help Bollywood by being in politics, I think it's worth my while.

I am an extremely religious and spiritual person.

I respect and believe in all religions.

Whatever I think, talk and do is because of the influence of God. My music is a tribute to Him. Whenever I compose any music, I try to reach God. I would advice all the budding musicians to do the same and see the difference. Thanks to Him, I am what i am today.

I am a karmayogi and I think without God's blessings no one can achieve anything in this world.

Unlike others, I wear my gold at all times. That's why it's become my image and people call me the Gold Man.

These gold chains and pendants I've been collecting from 1975. None of them are new and mostly - Hare Krishna Hare Rama, Ganpati, Satyanarayan, Hanuman - all god-related pendants.

I have got gold secure all the time so income tax people will not be able to take the gold from my neck!