On the occasion of the centenary celebration of Raj Kapoor, the ‘Great Showman of Indian Cinema,’ Aditya Raj Kapoorthe son of the legendary Shammi Kapoordelved into what made Raj Kapoor a cinematic visionary, his unyielding passion for storytelling, and his unparalleled ability to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.
In an exclusive interview with ETimes, Aditya shared heartfelt anecdotes and deep reflections on the iconic Kapoor legacy. As someone who has lived through the golden era of Indian cinema, from his time as an assistant director at RK Studios to witnessing the extraordinary creativity of his uncles Raj Kapoor and Shashi KapoorAditya offered a unique perspective on the Kapoor family‘s enduring contribution to cinema and theatre.
Centenary celebration of Raj Kapoor: How does it feel?
Wow, Raj Saab – A cinematic poet who redefined how people perceive social platforms and romance. A lot of today’s cinematic construction, whether in scripts, edits, or direction, owes its legacy to giants like him who dared to dream beyond the pale of darkness. In this, Mr. Raj Kapoor played a stellar part. I often wonder what kind of destiny he felt compelled to fulfill – this could even be the premise of a new movie! He began by portraying social themes, infused them with romance, and eventually presented intricate relationships between characters. Through his direction and nurturing, he revolutionized creativity in Indian cinema.
I spent a few years at RK Studios under Randhir Kapoor and Raj Saab. Even today, an apprentice with Steven Spielberg cannot compare to the platform Raj Saab created. That’s because, in those days, we were discovering the times themselves. Today, with advancements like computer technology, things are different. Raj Saab was a stickler for detail. He sought beauty in the mundane and made the ordinary extraordinary. His undying passion for storytelling, combined with music and cinematography, left no room for shortcuts – it was all or nothing.
Your memories of Raj Kapoor and his relationship with his brothers.
As the eldest of three brothers and one sister, Raj Uncle was a complete family man. All auspicious occasions were celebrated at his table. Shashi Uncle and Dad loved him like a father figure. That experience helped the next generation to manage respect amongst all. I must say this. When we were shooting for Satyam Shivam Sundaram, where I was an assistant director, the way he would look at Shashi uncle, in say some romantic shots-i think he was thanking God within himself for sending such a handsome man down to earth and make him his brother. He would often say, “Shashi doesn’t need lights, he is the light himself.” Such a compliment told us at that age; that it requires a tremendous amount of humility to see the wonder in others.
Raj Kapoor and his children took Indian cinema forward, Shashi Kapoor carried the torch for theatre, but Shammi Kapoor’s family largely stayed away.
Well, yes I did stay away. And for years I would avoid meeting Raj Uncle or his son Randhir. (Because I felt that I ran away from the family fold) But I had my reasons for doing something else. Raj uncle had discovered all that was cinematically possible. What would I do new?
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What set Raj Kapoor apart from the rest?
Raj Saab started with a thought, just a simple thought and wove the existing social situation around it, put good actors and presented a fabulous movie. That set him apart. He believed in his thought and the guts of his determination. Take My name is jokerfor instance. Who else would dare to tell the bittersweet life of a circus clown, a character hidden behind makeup? Heroes like to be seen. Raj Kapoor liked to be felt.
Commonalities between the Kapoor brothers
They had a theatre background and the same tuition from Prithviraj Kapoor. They ate the same food and shared the same house. Still, when they matured their career. They were very handsome people, all with different styles. All very creative, and all understood the cinema thought and process. They all made a niche of their won and this is still celebrated today.
What do you have to say about the Kapoor legacy? Ranbir and Kunal have taken the initiative. Where do you see it going from here on?
Its lovely to see life moving on. Generations must create their own destinies to be able to get their satisfaction of existence. I wish them all the very best.