Raj Kapoor Fanclub blog

Many today, remember the late Raj Kapoor. Some enjoy listening to his songs, most of which were sung by the late Mukesh and some just enjoyed his films and many enjoyed watching his films as to them, he was considered portraying reality and for many facts of life. To many, he was the ultimate showman in Bollywood.

But what is it that makes millions outside India remember the showman? In countries like Russia and China, where there are not many Indians, still listen to songs from raj Kapoor's movies such as "Awara" and "Shree 420." In deed Raj Kapoor did go to Russia a long time ago and also had a Russian Circus in his epic movie, "Mera Naam Joker" and also gad a Russian actress in it. But what about China? Nothing suggests that the late showman went to China and yet many elderly Chinese have said that they grew up listening to his songs. It is understandable if someone from another country such as USA, Britain, where the Indian population is high outside India, says this.

In deed Raj Kapoor made films that in many ways were applicable to the public where reality was concerned. He showed reality in many ways and also went on to explain facts of life in more than one ways. So what was it about this showman that has made many remember his films and songs?

Well here is What Israel know about Raj Kapoor.

In Israel we have alot Indian people that come from India. Same of them Stile Remember who his it Raj Kapoor and stile watch his movies and Listen to his songs.
And there also the Indian People that Say that Raj Kapoor movies and songs It so old Fashin And they go watch the New Bollywood Movies. In same way they say that Raj Kapoor do the same movie just that it woes on Black and White and the Song woes too old. (true words)

One day after I move to my new house with my family. me and my family meet our neighbor nice person with the name Mahir. Mahir he is not An Indian person. One my dad invit him to our party for the new house Mahir that bring same present and fell sad for at. Next day he come to us with a peresent he say that he don't bring Preset Yesterday and He woes fell Sorry about that. He sit with my father and talk they talk about many stuff. then next week dad ask me If I have the movie Sangam I say yes I did then he ask me if I Have Hebrew Subtitle with that I say not it only incloud with English subtitle.
One day My dad back home I Remember I Woes in my room. then I hear the opining of Raj Kapoor You know with the Barsaat posion what Raj add to all his movie in the begin. I Run down and see that My Dad buy Sangm. I say what? and it woes Incloud Hebrew Subtitle And Guess how check the movie if it ok... Me.
So I Make fast Checking for the movie and say to my dad That this ok my dad cell my brother tell him to bring the movie for Mahir.
Yes there many people in Israel that love so much the movie Sangam same of them Remember all the songs Today same of them will know only that Raj Kapoor make the movie Sangam and play there. But if you go to the old people and say Raj Kapoo they start singing to You "Ichak Dana" and "Awaara Hoon".

Legendary actor-filmmaker Raj Kapoor was not only popular in Russia, but also had his share of fans in China, according to Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni.

Speaking at the Traveller Diamond and Platinum Awards function, Soni said she was surprised that Indian films were watched in China, which she recently visited for a cultural event.

"A senior citizen asked me if any Indian film stars or songs would be seen in the festival. When I said no, he said he had grown up listening to the songs of Raj Kapoor's movie Awara," Soni recounted. "I was surprised to see the extent of the penetration of the Indian film industry," she added.

The Diamond Award at the event organised by Today's Traveller magazine was presented to well known producer-director Yash Chopra for his contribution to the Bollywood film industry. On the occasion, Soni released The Bollywood Connection, a book which showcases travel and tourism in the country by exploring different spheres of leisure and business.

"The Indian film industry has not only emerged as one of the biggest in the world but is also making quality films," Soni said.

Soni said actor Aamir Khan had been chosen to be the brand ambassador for the Atithi Devo Bhava campaign of the tourism ministry. Under the scheme, efforts are being made to increase social awareness about the needs of tourists, especially women travellers.

http://www.bollywood101.com/article.asp?ar...hina-too-Ambika

Yes! but what is it that makes one remember the late Raj Kapoor? Is it what he portrayed in his films, was it the man himself? What was it about his films that they made so appealing even today?

simple
Human Values

I entire;y agree with this. I had an Israeli friend at College who cam from Tel Aviv and one day as I playing some songs from "Sangam".He came and sat down and listened to them with me. Then he cried and when I asked him why, he said that he was "homesick" as he heard these songs at home so many times. The thing was that he could understand hindi and speak some words as well What he told me afterwards is that he could understand the message that was being passed on to the audience.

yes you right many people in Israel know the songs of Sangam. One time The israel Cinema make movies that talk about two mans that open a cinema house there they woes shows 24 The movie sangam. the true his that the story of the movie happend to them too. Just that the other man Wily Die in the army.
They also ask Premition for Rk Company to show Same parts of the movie. This woes amazing I can see Rk Icon in the end of the movie under the Thanks Line.

http://z6.invisionfree.com/RKForum/index.php?showtopic=568

"simple
Human Values"

I wouldn't disagree with you at all.

If you watch his 1973 hit "Bobby, " which starred Rishi Kapoor and Dimple and in particular towards the end, when the two are about to jump from very high into a river gorge and his father, who had objected to the son marrying someone who he didn't approve of and also she was not a Hindu, begs the young couple to move away from the edge, the son just laughs off this and says that even if they were to move away, then the father wouldn't allow them to get married and that they would rather die together. The father keeps on trying until the son and the girlfriend ju,p off. The dialogues said it all - how the parents today have to accept no matter in which community or caste the son or daughter marries in, it has to be accepted. This film was considered to be way ahead of its time; but if you look into it a bit deeper now, you will notice that this sort of thing is happening now - intercaste marriages.

After "Mera Naam Joker," Raj Kapoor was almost without any money but he more than recovered it from "Bobby," in which his friend actor Pran and brother in law, Premnath are said to have worked for free.

I every Raj Kapoor movie, there was some sort of a message, I beilieve for the audience, which I think that is missing in a lot of the movies today.

To the Full conversation

Aag Film, conversation from the Forum

2009-01-25T07:49:00.000-08:00

ok first some off screen stuff the begining

The film was ready to go on the floors and Raj was determined to get himself the best studio in town. Famous Studio in Mumbai’s central suburb, Mahalaxmi, had been highly recommended to him. He’d heard that Jaddan Bai was at Famous Studio where her son Akhtar Hussain was shooting Romeo and Juliet, the first production of Nargis Art Concern. Raj rushed to the studio to meet bibiji with the intention of quizzing her about the facilities that Famous offered. But he missed her by minutes. The unit, he was told, had packed up for the day and gone home.

Raj impulsively decided he’d drive on to Marine Drive where Jaddan Bai had her apartment. A quarter of an hour later he was outside her door ringing the bell. Jaddan Bai’s eighteen-year-old daughter Nargis was in the kitchen frying bhajias. Hearing the doorbell peal she rushed to open the door and was so startled by the sight of a blue-eyed, rosy-cheeked stranger shuffling outside her door, that she put a hand nervously up to brush away her untidy locks and smeared her forehead with the besan dough on her fingers. Raj was enchanted by the image of this lovely girl with besan on her forehead and hair. The crimson blush staining her cheeks as she realized what had happened, enhanced the pretty picture. Stammering with embarrassment Nargis asked him shyly who he was. Raj introduced himself as Prithviraj Kapoor’s son. Nargis recalled seeing him in the play, Deewar, at Prithvi Theatre and invited him in. But when Raj enquired about bibiji and learnt that Nargis was at home alone he refused to enter the apartment and hurried away.

He went straight to the home of his scriptwriter, Inder Raj Anand. “I must have that girl in my film. Write her into the screenplay of Aag,” he commanded. And Nargis walked into Aag in the ninth reel.

after reading this
now notice in the opening titles that nargis name comes first

Thanks again for the good info kkm.

Did you know that Raj make two shoots in this movie?
It look like Raj kapoor do shout of the first song on this movie. You can see that before the song Raj Woes with out his Masestach and then on the song he have at.

I think the mustache scene was shot after the completion of the film its more like a portrait for example when we sometimes pose infront of a still camera for a nice photo.

in the above article from net it says that nargis kicks in the movie on 9th reel the total number of reels is 13 so nargis appearance is only 30% in this movie
and what an apperance

RKfan:

While watching Aag I got to see some similarities with Mera Naam Joker, as a matter of fact two of his most personal films.
The first that came to mind is about the "phases" into witch both movies are devided, ok Aag doesn't have the three chapter division but it is build in three times of the life of the main character, the first being his days as a child, then his youth and highschool days, the last one is his adult days with him finding his way in life and his work as a theater director.

A second thing is about visual situations that are found in the two films... the first image is the one while Keval is alone on stage and expressing his feeling in a form of monologue in front of void seets, so similar to the scene where Raju the joker is singing one of the songs into the circus tent and yet again in front of a void place...

A third one is about a clown that in Aag Keval, as a child sees while a circus is coming to his hometown, the clown is just announcing the coming of the shows with the circus...same image is in MNJ only this time the clown presenting the show at the gathering crowd is Raju himself.

Even though I did not analize in full the meaning if any, certainly to me it seems too specific to be only random coincidences.

http://z6.invisionfree.com/RKForum/index.php?showtopic=493

Rita I like you Article about the movie and You right The Movie has have three time.

Kkm now that I start play with my video camera I start to know what run in Raj Kapoor Mind when He think to make the second shoot. When you shoot same part You know that you don't always get what you won't. I woes won't to Shoot the Airplain that Woes drive over my sister Work place but then He Over on our Car so close and I missed him and turn the Camera fast to the Second side.

When you work with Camera You have to Be in the Right place in the right time and If you not get what you won't You mast try again and again.

This what I LEARN TODAY.
http://s6.zetaboards.com/RajKapoorFanclub/topic/8526234/1/

100 Greatest Bollywood Soundtracks Ever

2009-01-25T07:40:00.000-08:00

Hi all members, here's avery interesting article from Planet Bollywood you might like to read, here is the link:
http://www.planetbollywood.com/displayArti...id=060306044135

I'm writing here only those parts related to Raj Kapoor Saab listing aal his music album in the top 100...

92. Anari (1959)

Winner of Filmfare Award for Best Music in 1959, Anari was a memorable soundtrack for any Raj Kapoor or Shankar-Jaikishen fans. Dil Ki Nazar Se is one prime example as it has superb singing from Lata Mangeshkar and Mukesh. Kisi Ki Muskurahaton Pe is a memorable track as its your typical perfect Raj Kapoor song. The only song that will appeal to certain audience is Nineteen Fifty Six. Hit songs, is what you can describe the rest of Anari soundtrack. Sub Kuchh Seekha, Tera Jana, Ban Ke Panchhi and Woh Chand Khila were all Hit tracks back in 1959. Well, Shankar-Jaikishen – Raj Kapoor has never disappoint, as all their albums have amazing music, and its not surprising that Shankar-Jaikishen got an award for this album. Anari is a great album nonetheless.

88. Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai (1960)
Music: Shankar-Jaikishen; Lyrics: Shailendra

Raj Kapoor is one director who always has a good music score in his film, so Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai comes to no surprise. The score for this classic film is simply mesmerizing to say the least. And always, Shankar-Jaikishen always gives Raj Kapoor movies memorable songs. The album starts on a promising with Aa Ab Laut Chalen, while Begani Shaadi Mein is typical fun, love song. One of my personal favorite is Hum Bhi Hain, which has the musical composition stands out in this song. Another hit song was the title track, Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai, which is the music composition, is soft, but enjoyable. Mera Naam Raju is another great track, while myy personal favorite is O Basanti, which is an excellent track from Lata Mangeshkar, which will appeal to everyone. The last two songs O Maine Pyar Kiya and Kyua Hua are absolute gems in their own right. The Shankar-Jaikishen – Raj Kapoor duo are simply unstoppable in terms of great music, so Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai comes to no surprise.

85. Prem Rog (1982)
Music: Laxmikant-Pyarelal; Lyrics: Santosh Anand, Pt. Narendra Sharma, Amir Qazalbash

Raj Kapoor is always one director who tends to have great music in his movies. Prem Rog is definitely no exception, since it was the highest selling album of 1982. However, the songs in Prem Rog are simply amazing, that you can hit the repeat button several times. The best example of that is undeniably the best song in Prem Rog, which is Mohabbat Hai Kya Cheez. Truly, does anybody know the definite answer of ‘What is Love?’ Well, nonetheless the song is simply super-hit quality, and if I’m not mistaken, it was this song that won the best lyrics award. The next super-hit song is Meri Kismat Mein Tu Nahin, as lyrics and musical compositions are truly a highlight in this song. Another super-hit song is Yeh Galiyan Yeh Chaubara. Listen to it, and you are instantly hooked. Excellent singing from Lata Mangeshkar. If Lata Mangeshkar can have a solo song that is super-hit quality, then Suresh Wadkar should one, and he does with Main Hoon Prem Rogi. Another great song is Yeh Pyar Tha, which it’s the musical composition, and Suresh Wadkar ending verse that stands out. The only average song is Bhanvre Na Khilara Phool. There’s no deny that Lata Mangeshkar and Suresh Wadkar are in excellent form in the song. Since it’s a Raj Kapoor film, the soundtrack will always have good quality. So please, get Prem Rog and enjoy it.

48. Mera Naam Joker (1970) Music: Shankar-Jaikishen Lyrics: Shailendra, Hasrat Jaipuri, Neeraj, Prem Dhavan, Shaily Shilendra

Although the film was a major flop at the box-office (I still don’t understand why because it was a great film), however the only thing that was a major success was its astonishing music from Shankar-Jaikishen. Like all RK Films, music was one of its assets, and it won the Best Music award in 1971. Mukesh had two classic songs, Jaane Kahan Gaye Woh Din and Jeena Yahan Marna Yahan, are not only the best songs in the film, but some may consider it to be Mukesh two greatest songs ever. Manna Dey sings one of his best songs ever in Ay Bhai Zara Dekh Ke Chalo, which earned Manna Dey an award. The other Hit tracks were Ang Lagja Balma, Daag Na Lag Jaye, Kaate Na Kate Rehna, Kehta Hai Joker Sara Zamana, Teetar Ke Do Aage Teetar, and Sadke Heer Tujhpe, Mera Naam Joker album was simply fantastic. Once again, RK Films scores with Mera Naam Joker.

40. Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985) Music: Ravindra Jain Lyrics: Ravindra Jain, Amar Kazalbash, Hasrat Jaipuri

Ravindra Jain was best known for the music of Ramanand Sagar’s TV Epic Ramayana, however, with Ram Teri Ganga Maili, he came up with his biggest and most popular album till date. Although he did other RK Films and other films, he never produced great album than this one, and Ram Teri Ganga Maili became the third best-selling album in the 80s. All of the songs from Sun Sahiba Sun, Yaara O Yaara, Husn Hai Paharon Ka, Ek Dukhiyari Kahe, Ek Radha Ek Meera, Main Hi Main Hoon, and Tujhe Bhulaye, every song was very rich in its lyrics and each song had wonderful musical composition. Like Yashraj films, RK Films always have great music in their films, and Raam Teri Ganga Maili is ranked right at the top.

19) Chori Chori (1956)
Music: Shankar-Jaikishan
Lyrics: Shailendra & Hasrat Jaipuri

One can honestly say that Shankar-Jaikishan ruled the 50s when it came down to quality albums. Chori Chori is another feather in their cap as almost every song is first-rate. Although Chori Chori remains the last film of Raj Kapoor and Nargis together as a pair, it was its music of Chori Chori that makes Chori Chori popular. Aaja Sanam Madhur, Rasik Balma, Man Bhaanwan Ke Ghar, Jahan Main Jaati, Yeh Raat Bheegi Bheegi, Panchhi Banu Udti, Sawa Lakh Ki Lottery, Is Paar Saajan are what makes Chori Chori a superior album. Another huge achievement from the Shankar-Jaikishan duo.

17) Bobby (1973)
Music: Laxmikant-Pyarelal
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi, Indrajit Singh Tulsi & Vithalbhai Patel

No one would’ve expected both the music soundtrack and movie to be huge Hits. Yes, it was an RK Film, and Raj Kapoor was directing it, but it starred Rishi Kapoor who was making his full role debut in a film after Mera Naam Joker, and you also had Dimple Kapadia making her debut. So one can say that Raj Kapoor was taking a risk by casting two new stars. However, Laxmikant-Pyarelal came up with a memorable score which had tremendous appeal to the youth, which is why Bobby is the number one selling soundtrack in the 70s. Main Shayar To Nahin, Hum Tum Ek Kamre, Beshak Mandir Masjid, Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai, Jhooth Bole Kauwa Kate, Ankhiyon Ke Rehne Do, Ae Phasa became a craze at that time. With Bobby album, Narenda Chanchal and Shailendra Singh became a household name, and Bobby had some evergreen tunes, which is still popular after 35 years of its release.

15) Shree 420 (1955)
Music: Shankar-Jaikishan
Lyrics: Shailendra & Hasrat Jaipuri

Come on, it’s an RK Film, especially if Raj Kapoor is going to direct it, you know the music will be nothing but outstanding. Shree 420 proves this theory right. Another reason why Shree 420 album is a classic is because of its simplicity at that time. Each song was a winner in its own right. Mera Jhoota Hai Japani, Ichak Dana Bichak Dana, Ramaiya Vastaviya, Pyar Hua Ikrar Hua, Dil Ka Haal Sune Dilwala, Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh, O Janewale, and Sham Gai Raat Hai remains as gems till this day. Although there were many memorable albums before Shree 420, however, it was this album that created a mark in the overseas, especially in Russia where some of the songs from Shree 420 are still popular in Russia. Albums like this will never die down, it will continue to live.

8) Sangam (1964)
Music: Shankar-Jaikishan
Lyrics: Shailendra & Hasrat Jaipuri

Another winning soundtrack in the RK camp. Raj Kapoor’s Sangam was not only one of the biggest Hits ever in Indian cinema, but it was the #1 selling soundtrack in the 60s. It was winning score from the first song to the last song. Each song is unique in its own way, and the result of each song is appealing and easy to the ears. From the wonderful Bol Radha Bol, to the romantic Yeh Mera Prem Patra, to the haunting Dost Dost Na Raha, to the beautiful O Mehbooba, to the superb Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega, to the amusing Main Ka Karoon, and the splendid O Mere Sanam, the beauty of Sangam album was its simplicity and the album had a soul, which lacks in today’s soundtrack. It’s sad that the recent RK Films (PremGranth and Aa Ab Laut Chalen) had average scores, because back in the old days when RK Films were releasing, you can bet your money that an RK film will have great soundtrack. Sangam is amongst the top soundtrack in the RK banner and one of the best ever in Bollywood history.

3) Awaara (1951)
Music: Shankar-Jaikishan
Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri & Shailendra

What’s one thing you remember from any RK Films? It’s likely the wonderful musical score that is associated with it. Almost every RK Films has perfect score, and Awaara is an perfect example of that. To be honest, Awaara is the best musical album in the 50s decade, also it was the top selling album of the 50s. Every song from Awaara is an evergreen. I would consider Ghar Aaya Mera Pardesi to be one of Lata Mangeshkar best song till date, probably in the top 10 list. An instant rewind candidate. Other gems in this album are Dum Bhar Jo Udhar, Awaara Hoon, Hum Tujhse Mohabbat Karke, Jab Se Balam, Ghar Aaye, Ek Bewafa Se Pyar Kiya, Aa Jaao Tadapte Hain Aarman, Ek Do Teen, Tera Bina, and Haiyya Ho Naiyya. We need more scores like Awaara in today’s time, as Awaara remains a classic after 56 years of this release.

1) Barsaat (1949)
Music: Shankar-Jaikishan

Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri, Shailendra, Ramesh Shastri & Jalal Mahilabadi To be honest, this comes to no surprise that the best soundtrack in Bollywood history is the 1949 classic Barsaat. When Barsaat album was released in 1949, it became the highest selling album at that time, plus it was the biggest seller of the 40s decade. Another reason why this album is memorable is that it was Barsaat that gave Hindi cinema greatest singer ever Lata Mangeshkar the launching pad. This is Shankar-Jaikishan first album and upto this day, everyone can still associate with Barsaat. Every song from Barsaat is a classic in its own right. Barsaat utilizes Lata Mangeshkar vocals very well as most of the songs are solo rendition for her. From the memorable Hawa Mein Udta Jaye, to the melodious Jiya Beqarar Hai, to the poignant Barsaat Mein Hum Se Mile, to the irresistible Mujhse Kisise Pyaar Ho Gaya, to the emotional Bichide Huye Pardesi, to the touching Ab Mera Kaun Sahara, and the beautiful Meri Aankhon Mein Bas Gaye. All of Lata Mangeshkar solo track is a perfect ten in my books. The other gems in Barsaat were Mohammed Rafi solo track Mein Zindagi Main Hardam, and the other two tracks were duets that had Mukesh and Lata Mangeshkar providing the vocals, and they were Patli Kumar Hai and Chhod Gaye Balam. Barsaat album changed the face of Bollywood as it launched the greatest singer to ever grace Bollywood, Lata Mangeshkar. It launched one of the famous musicians, Shankar-Jaikishan. Plus, Barsaat gave us some precious songs that will be remembered in the years to come. No wonder Barsaat is the greatest album of all-timegood

Hats off to you Raj Kapoor, nobody came even near your musical talent

Raj Kapoor Life

2009-01-24T10:43:00.000-08:00

This is a little Clip that all The people that work with Him tell you moor stuff about Him and Maybe Same stuff that you don't know.
Well Enjoy.

kkm :

you must be aware of the film Silsila whose director was yash chopra the film could not do well on box office after some time raj met yash in a party and told him that he made a mistake in the movie and the mistake was that he made the heroine pregnant before marriage which public did not accept
yash admitted that yes that was a mistake

what i am getting at is that how sharp his mind was to identify the mistake

http://z6.invisionfree.com/RKForum/index.php?showtopic=254

Raj Kapoor on his life and times

2009-01-24T10:37:00.000-08:00

Raj Kapoor on his life and times, Interview Of Raj Kapoor By Rohini Iyer

He would tell his life story passionately. Like he made films. From Awara to Ram Teri Ganga Maili, he was obsessed with all his films even though his profession had taken much more than given in return. It took me a long time to convince him to talk about himself. It took me even longer to tell him that it was for an interview for public reading. Finally, after much cajoling from me and my good friend Randhir Kapoor, Raj Kapoor, relented.

It was over innumerous cups of tea, and endless meetings at his cottage that I finally got him to relive his past. And the glory of it!

He sat cross-legged on the divan, with a far away look in his eyes. With the shades drawn and the décor tastefully subdue in the pearly light, time in the RK cottage seemed to have suspended. Even the sun tiptoed in with caution as Raj Kapoor spoke:

My parents:
We hail from a small town called Samandru. My grandfather was a judge and my grandmother wished that my father Prithviraj Kapoor too would study law and become a judge like her husband. But my father had other plans. A graduate, he took keen interest in literature and Shakespeare. He was very fond of Ramleela and that's how he got interested in theatre.

Once, he was chosen to play Ram in a small Ramleela company, but his parents were against it. Those days acting was not considered a respectable profession. Only prostitutes and other such lower classes were associated with it. My grandparents felt very humiliated that their son was a part of Ramleela. But my father had made up his mind and one fine day, he gave up his studies, left home and came to Bombay with my mother and me. We lived in a one-room tenement on Reay Road.

From here he started his struggle in films. And that was the beginning of the legend that he was to become. Papaji was like a universe. I've never seen a more complete man. We, Shammi, Shashi and myself are nothing compared to him. In a way he was responsible for the star system. He was the first actual star on Hindi screen.

His spirit was always the same, undiminished till the last day. Papaji died of throat cancer. I took him to Sloane Kettering and we tried everything to save him. The doctors gave him three months to live. He wanted to come back and die in his own house. When the end came, Shashi was in London and its incredible how Papaji remained alive till his son's return. As soon he arrived Papaji took his three son's hands in his and said: 'Never shall you three brothers part!' and then passed away.

My brothers:
I think we brothers realised his loss more and more as we grew older. We actually grew closer after his death. Earlier we had drifted apart in search of our goals... our success. But strangely with age our memories of our childhood sharpened. I used to work on stage as a child artist. Shammi and Shashi also joined me. Shashi loved the theatre like Papaji, while I loved cinema. Shammi struck a happy medium. Nobody knows this, but my parents had two more children, Virendra (Bindi) and Davendra. Both died at a very young age. Virendra by accidentally swallowing rat poison, and Davendra of pneumonia, at the age of three. Recently when Shashi and I were jointly admitted in the Breach Candy Hospital, I felt very protective towards him. A woman always has her man, but the man unconsciously leans on his roots, his heritage. He feels like an orphan without his parents.

My marriage, my family:
Mine was the only arranged marriage among us brothers. Actually Krishna is my bua, my father's second cousin. One fine day my father said, "You are getting married," and I said, "Yes father". That was in 1946 when I was 22 years old.

Nine months later Daboo was born. When he was 15 days old my father introduced him to the audiences at the Opera House where he was performing a play. He put paint on his face and applied a tilak on his forehead and announced his birth. That was the kind of pride he had in his work. He was far removed from today's actors, and this includes my own sons, who make their living out of films and hypocritically say: "Oh, we don't like filmi people!"

My studio:
I've struggled a lot for what I have today. Those days most of the shootings took place indoors, there were very few outdoors. Once when I was shooting for Awara, I had completed 13 days of shooting when on the 14th day I was asked to dismantle my sets because the studio had been hired to someone else. I was very upset and that day I decided to make my own studio. I put together all the money I had and laid the foundation of RK Studio. During our days money was very hard to come by. It took almost ten years to earn my first lakh!

When I was picturising the song Ghar aaya mera pardesi on 13 different sets my wife Krishna saw it and her reaction was: "We don't have a house to live in and you are spending all your money on your studio!" I understood her concerns and explained to her: "Jo pehle set banate hain, unke ghar baad main bante hain. Jo pehle ghar banate hain unke set kabhi nahin bante."

Initially I had thought that only RK films would be shot in my studio but God had something else in mind for me. Jab main fakir ban gaya, I had to let others shoot in my studio. No, Nargis never helped me financially. I never took money from her to build RK but RK ke har set par Nargis ki mehnat aur lagan chuppi hui hai. The RK emblem is a reflection of her contribution to the studio. Without her the emblem cannot fully represent RK. Later, I bought a house in Deonar and shifted there with my children. My father refused to come with me, he preferred to stay back in our old house in Matunga, nor did he ask for anything from me. He never asked me how much I earned. I've continued this tradition.

Disillusionment:
One has to change to adapt to the new breed. But sometimes I don't understand the new world. I remember, some years ago, an actress came to me with her father for a role in Kal Aaj Aur Kal. While negotiating the price the father said: "Look I'm not interested in your RK banner. I'm only interested in how much you pay my daughter." This is what the system has done to today's actors. Maybe they are right, but there is a sense of loss in all this.

A girl like Padmini Kolhapure, who is tremendously talented, is allowing herself to be a victim of the system by her choice of films. Why, for Mr Rishi Kapoor's dates I've got to go to his secretary and plead with him! I laugh when people call me a legend or an institution. V Shantaram or Mehboob Khan could be called that. Not me. I only feel old and tired. And I see RK as a flickering flame. It is up to Daboo, Chintu and Chimpu to keep it burning. It is now up to them.

http://z6.invisionfree.com/RKForum/index.php?showtopic=21

Anand (1970)

2009-01-24T10:30:00.000-08:00

Anand

A melodramatic tale of a man with a terminal disease. The story begins with Dr Bhaksar winning a literary prize for his book about a patient called Anand. The rest is flashback. Anand, the title character, is suffering from lymph sarcoma of the intestine. He however appears to be cheerful on the outside and is determined to extract as much pleasure from his remaining lifespan as is possible. Dr. Bhaskar his physician tends to Anand in his last days. After Anand dies we can however still hear his voice which was recorded on a tape. Dr Bhakser writes a book on his patient and wins a literary prize for it

In Anand even Raj Kapoor don’t play in this movie you stile keep fell that Raj Kapoor there. The songs, the soundtrack, the words, the acting.
Even in the end of the movie when Anand dies I fell like I woes show Raj Kapoor in
The list of his life. What those make me cry with out stop at.

When I see Raj Kapoor I fell like he is stile live and yes he is. In my heard in my mind even I see him come to me many times in my dream.
But when I see this movie it remind me what a person we lost and person that we never forget. I am happy to be the one of long list people that stile Remember Raj Kapoor and remind him.

In the End I wily like the movie. Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan doing good acting play this movie. If you focus on Rajesh Khanna You can fell that he act the same like Raj Kapoor doing in live.

I will end this article with the song:
Zindagi ...kaisi hai paheli, haaye
Kabhi to hansaaye kabhi ye rulaaye
Life is a quiz, some time it makes you laugh and sometime make you cry

Life imitates art

2008-12-13T06:21:00.000-08:00

Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai, when it was released in 1961, proved Raj Kapoor’s grip on the public imagination to be strong as ever. Surendra Miglani pays a tribute to the great showman on his death anniversary, which falls on June 2

When some ferocious dacoits surrendered to the police on the prompting of Loknayak Jai Prakash Narain sometime in the late 1970s, film critics and cine-goers were amazed to see how life was imitating art. Great showman Raj Kapoor had suggested this solution to tackle the menace of dacoits in Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai. Ironically, when the movie was released—in 1961— several critics had described the idea as "ridiculous".

A lot of people, the film tried to convey, were forced to remain dacoits as fear of harsh punishment constantly haunted them. The children of the dacoits, too, did not have any choice but to adopt this profession, as they feared that the society would not let them live with dignity. If the government assured the dacoits that they would be treated leniently, there was a chance to lessen the burden of the dacoits from society to a great extent, the film emphasised.

As if the idea of Raj Kapoor making a film on dacoits was not sufficient to make the observers ridicule it, Raj engaged Arjun Dev Rashk to write the story of the movie. The latter was known to be a writer of urbane and highly sophisticated themes.

Even Shanker (of Shanker-Jaikishan team) refused to do the film, saying a movie on the theme of dacoits had no scope for music. However, Raj, as always, had faith in himself. To convince Shanker, he hit upon an idea. It was a tradition in Raj’s camp to prepare a tune and then write a lyric for it. However, in this case, Raj asked Shailendra to first write the opening lines of the theme song of the movie. Then he invited Shanker and spoke the lines penned by Shailendra, "Hoton pe sachai rehti hai, jahaan dil mein safai rehti hai; hum us desh ke waasi hain, jis desh mein ganga behti hai". He asked the ace composer if he still believed that such poetic words, evoking the flow of the Ganga, did not offer any scope for music.

The two lines were enough to motivate Shanker to sign on the dotted line instantly. Come to think of it, the movie came to be a milestone in the annals of Hindi film music. A record number of five songs—Ho maine pyar kiya.., Mera naam Raju..., Hoton pe sachai rehti hai... Begani shadi mein Abdullah diwana... and O basanti pawan paagal—were played in the annual programme of Binaca Geetmala of Radio Ceylon in 1961 which was considered to be a barometer of the popularity of songs for 41 years.

The song Ho maine pyar kiya`85picturised on Padmini bathing under a waterfall had a mesmerising effect on viewers. The number also faced problems with the Censor Board when it objected to the line Dheere dheere aakhir band kali muskayee, saying it carried a vulgar meaning. Hasrat Jaipuri, who had penned the song, revealed in a TV interview that he was forced to change the words to Dheere dheere aakhir man ki kali muskayee.

Noted music director Anu Malik considers Raj Kapoor as a genius in the field of music. He says he has never been able to understand how he and his team must have produced the unique chorus sound appearing to come from quite a distance in the song Aa ab launt chalen in Jis Desh Mein`85

The movie took the country by storm. At a special premiere of the film at Calcutta, Raj Kapoor came to address the audience during the interval. When he introduced himself as Mera naam..., the whole house interrupted him, yelling Raju, the name of the character played by him in the movie. Padmini said she did not know Bengali, so she would not be able to speak there. However, the fans yelled, "No speech, just say Oi Oi". The expression, thanks to her unique style of uttering it, made her a darling of cine-goers.

Another "style" which cinegoers remember to date was of Pran who essayed the role of ferocious dacoit Raaka who constanly rubbed his fingers round his neck. Pran says the mannerism was meant to convey the fear of noose, which always exists in the mind of every dacoit. Incidentally, the wig and the moustache of the dacoit were "copy" of a real life dacoit who was killed in an encounter those days.

The movie, incidentally, won four Filmfare awards—for Best Film, Best Actor (Raj Kapoor), Best Art Director (M.R. Acharekar) and Best Editor (G.G. Mayekar).

Vyjayantimala had a relationship with my dad

2008-12-13T06:18:00.000-08:00

‘Of course, Vyjayantimala had a relationship with my dad…’

Rishi Kapoor is livid that the yesteryear actress called her link-up with Raj Kapoor a publicity gimmick in her autobiography
In her autobiography titled Bonding... A Memoir, yesteryear actress Vyjayantimala Bali has denied her much-publicised relationship with the late filmmaker Raj Kapoor.
She has not only denied a relationship with him, but has also implied that it was a publicity gimmick fuelled by the PR machinery of the R K Films banner.
After Sunday Mid Day carried excerpts from her book (see box), the legendary filmmaker’s son Rishi Kapoor is furious with her comments.
An irritated Rishi says, “I respect her as a lady and a senior actress, but she is talking rubbish.
Ideally, I would not have commented on this but my father is no more and I am only speaking to defend his reputation.
I will not lie and say that my father didn’t have a relationship with her.
Of course, my dad had a relationship with Vyjayantimala. How can she deny it?”
He adds that the family has suffered greatly on her account. “I remember I was 11 years old when the relationship started, and my mother and the rest of us left our house and lived in Natraj Hotel for four-and-a-half months.
She caused torment to my family, so the least she can do now is own up. Instead, she’s lying and trying to malign my father’s name by saying it was a publicity stunt driven by him.”
Unable to come to terms with the actress’s turnaround, Rishi laughs, “Can you believe it? It’s absurd. My father never needed that kind of publicity.
The whole world knows that Vyjayanti was involved with him. Why is she denying it? This is the case of ‘nau sau chuhe kha ke billi haj ko chali’.”
The actor, who spoke to his siblings after reading excerpts in Sunday Mid Day, asks angrily, “Why just my father, she finally got married to Dr Bali, who was a married man.
His son Ratan Bali (from his first wife) is now with Air India and is possibly a year or two younger than me. I’m sure he suffered too when his father walked out on the family to marry the actress.”
Kapoor is in no mood to forgive such a distortion of facts. “It’s very nice to write your memoirs, but you should have the guts to be honest. You cannot deny facts.
Why did Vyjayantimala write an autobiography if it was going to be fiction? I would never have reacted to her book if she hadn’t stirred up a hornet’s nest by distorting facts,” he concludes.

http://z6.invisionfree.com/RKForum/index.php?showtopic=299

Satyam Shivam Sunderam, Worth while understanding this movie

2008-12-13T04:07:00.000-08:00

From the Forum

"Satyam Shivam Sunderam," released in the late 1970's was perhaps one of the most controversial movies at the time as it involved scenes that were not allowed in the Hindi film industry, now known as "Bollywood." This were the kissing scenes where Shashi Kapoor, the younger brother of Raj Kapoor, kissing Zeenat Aman on the lips. But what this movie really showed that amongst many things is that sometimes what we see is not rally what it is. For this reason the late Raj Kapoor used the topic of a disfigured woman who falls in love with a man who hates ugliness and disfurement. At the time of making this movie, actress Zeenat Aman was (and I think that she atill is) beautiful but yet on side of her in the story she is disfigured, which Shashi Kapoor does not see until the night of their wedding and he thinks that this is not the same woman that he loves and throws her out but is then forced to take her back. But to be close to him, she re - hides her disfigurement and meets him secretly.

This movie has another message and that is that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and also god is ultimate.

Originally, Rajesh Khanna was to play the part that was played by Shashi Kapoor as he was considered to be the only actor who was and is capable of showing expressions in an appropriate manner as required by the director in front of a camera. But for some unknown reasons, the role was then offered to Shashi Kapoor. However the role that Zeenat Aman played as "Roopa," the disfigured woman, was offered only to her and no one else. The reason being is that she had a good figure and also as mentioned before - beautiful and lastly Rajji thought that she could handle this role very well. Lastly, this the film in which actress Padmini Kohlapure was introduced even though she was only a child - she played the role of "Roops" as a child. She later, off course went on to become a big time actress as have almost all Raj Kapoor protoge actresses. She also was the main actress in R.K.'s "Prem Rog."

This is one movie that has songs that are more like "bhajans" and does contain some beautiful photography, which is really worth while to watch. I would say that this was one of Raj Kapoor's most memorable films that he produced and directed. And off course, like all his films, it had a story to tell with a lot of meaning.

Sabzi_Nic:

Interesting post on this underrated film...
I havent seen it in a few years, deserves a re-watch :)

kkm:

@Pratik
nice write up
i would like to add that this film raj saab planned with lata in mind and lata agreed initially but backed off later
this film did not do well at box office and i read somewhere on the net that raj saab blamed zeenat
but still its a beautifull movie and the rythum of song stayam shivam sundaram is out of this world

I don't think that Zeenat can be the Problem in this movie I believe that the People that go to see that Just don't like to see that the hasband think that he marry to other woman and go to the woman that he think that she is his lover but she the same woman that marry him. I think that it woes the people that don't understand the movie. But I Do like the movie. My Siser hate this movie only beacuse what that Raj Kapoor do to Zeenat face.

Sabzi_Nic:

I think the film wasn't receieved well in its time because of the partial nudity, it must have been shocking for people, I think it was tastefully done though.

You Right Sabzi It also can be a problem.

chk this out
Zeenat tried her best to find recognition as a good actress but unfortunately never succeeded. She made one last attempt when she tried her best to impress Raj Kapoor. She played the true Indian woman who was more soul than body, according to Raj Kapoor in his film 'Satyam Shivam Sundaram' but like Raj Kapoor himself confessed, 'people will come' to see Zeenat's body but will go back seeing the soul of my film. It is through her beautiful body that I am discovering the soul of the beauty of a woman.' Both Zeenat and 'Satyam Shivam Sundaram' flopped at the box office which was a major setback for Raj and left Zeenat a heart broken actress.