The disco song Jimmy Jimmy, Aaja Aaja by the late Indian composer Bappi Lahiri has become unusually popular in China as people have made it the unofficial anthem of their protest against the country’s strict zero-COVID-19 policy.
Chinese social media users on Douyin (aka TikTok) are using the famous track from the 1982 film Disco Dancer (starring Mithun Chakraborty) to channel their anger and frustration with the stringent lockdown policy.
Here’s one video of a Chinese citizen using the song while holding an empty bowl to show how people are being deprived of basic essential foods during the country’s strict lockdown.
The reason behind this strange song choice is that the name Jimmy sounds like jie mi in Mandarin, which loosely translates to ‘give me rice’.
China’s Zero-COVID-19 Policy
COVID-19 lockdowns have returned to China. Millions of Chinese are protesting against the government’s harsh enforcement of lockdowns in various regions.
Earlier this year, the city of Shanghai was placed under lockdown for 60 days, which prompted residents to shout their frustrations into empty streets from their windows and balconies.
Last week, workers in an iPhone manufacturing facility in Zhengzhou fled to their hometowns after an outbreak of COVID-19. Video clips of workers climbing over the metal fence went viral on social media.
About Bappi Lahiri
Bappi Aparesh Lahiri was a famous Indian composer and record producer. The late Bollywood artist passed away in February this year. He is best known for his soundtracks in several hit Bollywood films from the 80s and 90s, including Jimmy Jimmy, Aaja Aaja.
It may seem a little strange that a Bappi Lahiri dance track is being used as a protest anthem but given the Chinese government’s strict monitoring of content that goes against the regime, the song is a perfect subtle medium to voice the people’s cry for help. What do you think about it? Let us know in the comment section below.
