Incredible, but true. The man travels overseas without his jewellery. Most of it, anyway...

Bling binger Bappi Lahiri might flaunt it all when in India but when he's out of the country, the flashy jewellery stays home.

Says a source, "Bappi Lahiri was spotted at the airport on Sunday on his return from the US, minus his gold chains. His experiences with the customs and immigration agencies over the years have made him wiser. He doesn't even pack it in his baggage for fear of it being misplaced."

Sirf ek
Bappida confirms, "It's true that I don't wear any jewellery abroad. Except for this gold Ganpati my mother gave me 35 years ago when my first film Zakhmee was a hit and a Hare Rama Hare Krishna locket she gave me. I only wear the Ganpati abroad as it's my lucky charm. It has even saved my life a number of times apart from bringing me luck."

He has another interesting anecdote to narrate about his totem. "When Michael Jackson came to Mumbai, he had loved my Ganpati and wanted it. I had to refuse. I couldn't give it away as it has saved my life and has proved lucky for me.

People in immigration know that 'Bling is Bappi Lahiri' so they allow me to travel with these two lockets. I have stopped traveling with the rest of my jewellery as it's a waste of time explaining to various airport authorities why I wear them. Of course, when I'm abroad I am constantly asked about my missing jewellery."

Bappida will be travelling to USA again on September 30 to attend the Grammy Awards. His album titled World Love Peace and Harmony has been nominated. It is a collaboration with Pandit Vishwamohan Bhatt, saxophonist Gerald Allbright and mridangangam player T Gopalakrishnan.