Aditya Raj Kapoor, son of Shammi Kapoor: 'I avoided meeting Raj uncle or his son Randhir because I felt I ran away from the family fold' - Exclusive

It's celebration time for the Kapoor and also Hindi cinema as it's 100 years of 'The Showman' Raj Kapoor. The Kapoor family have decided to celebrate the occasion in a grand way as many of Kapoor's films are re-releasing in cinemas. Ranbir also started this project of restoring films of his grandfather Raj Kapoor along with NFDC, NFAI, his uncle Kunal Kapoor and the Film Heritage Foundation. He had said recently at IFFI Goa, "We have done 10 films so far and we have much more to do. I am really hopeful you guys will check out his work because there are so many people who haven’t seen his work."


In an exclusive interview with ETimes, Aditya Kapoor shared heartfelt memories and insights about the legendary Kapoor family. Having experienced the golden era of Indian cinema, Aditya spoke about his time as an assistant director at RK Studios and how he witnessed the creative genius of his uncles, Raj Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor. He reflected on the Kapoor family's immense contribution to both cinema and theatre, offering a unique perspective on their enduring legacy in the industry.


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.

In his reflection on his time at RK Studios under Randhir Kapoor and Raj Kapoor, Aditya Kapoor shared how Raj Saab's mentorship was unparalleled. He compared Raj Kapoor's unique platform to that of today's apprentices working with icons like Steven Spielberg, emphasizing the difference in the times. According to Aditya, Raj Kapoor had an exceptional eye for detail and sought beauty in the mundane, elevating the ordinary into something extraordinary. His dedication to storytelling, music, and cinematography left no room for shortcuts, showcasing his relentless commitment to perfection in every aspect of filmmaking.

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?




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 Mera Naam Joker, for 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.

On December 14, Mumbai lit up in celebration of Raj Kapoor’s centenary as Bollywood stars and the Kapoor family came together to honor the legendary actor-director, lovingly known as The Showman of Indian Cinema. The grand event paid homage to Raj Kapoor's monumental contribution to Indian cinema, blending heartfelt tributes with glitz and glamour.

The Kapoor family, including Randhir Kapoor, Karisma Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, and Alia Bhatt, will unite to pay tribute to the late cinematic icon. Alongside them, Bollywood stalwarts such as Rekha, Jeetendra, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Rajkumar Hirani, Karan Johar, Aamir Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Anil Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Kartik Aaryan, Sunny Deol, and Bobby Deol are expected to grace the occasion.

As part of the centenary festivities, a special initiative titled Raj Kapoor 100 – Celebrating the Centenary of the Greatest Showman will be launched by R.K. Films, the Film Heritage Foundation, and the NFDC-National Film Archive of India. The programme features curated screenings of ten iconic Raj Kapoor films across 40 cities and 135 cinemas.

Earlier, the Kapoor family had met PM Narendra Modi on the occasion. A video from the meeting, featuring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, and other family members, was shared online, where they spoke about their interaction with the Prime Minister.

In the video, Ranbir Kapoor admitted that while they were all quite nervous about meeting the PM, his warm and generous demeanor put them at ease. “We enjoyed speaking to him. We could ask him a lot of personal questions. He talked to us in a very friendly manner. Hum sab ki hawa tight thi, we were very nervous, but he made us feel very comfortable, and I really thank him,” he said.

A festival will be held from December 13 to December 15 Raj Kapoor's iconic movies will be shown. Ranbir further spoke about the reason why they're doing so. He said, "I remember the first time I met Alia (Bhatt), she asked me, ‘Who is Kishore Kumar?’ It’s just the circle of life. People are forgotten and then newer artiste come. So, I think it’s very important that we remember our roots. Not just Mr Raj Kapoor, there are so many filmmakers and artistes that we should constantly celebrate."

The selected films, including timeless classics such as Aag, Barsaat, Awaara, Shree 420, Jagte Raho, Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai, Sangam, Mera Naam Joker, Bobby, and Ram Teri Ganga Maili, will showcase the unparalleled legacy of Raj Kapoor, often revered as the "Greatest Showman" of Indian cinema. On the work front, Aditya Raj Kapoor was last seen in 'Mareyadiru Endendu'.