Drunk Raj Kapoor called Dev Anand, cried and praised 'Guide' but snubbed Vijay Anand: 'He would become insecure with fellow filmmakers'

Raj Kapoor is remembered as one of the most influential filmmakers Indian cinema has ever produced, and a word of appreciation from him was considered a huge honour. He was called 'The Showman' and hence, filmmakers that time would wait to earn praise from him. Such recognition did come for Vijay Anand, popularly known as Goldie Anand, who was Dev Anand's younger brother. While Kapoor did appreciate him, he refused to acknowlege him when they met.

Recalling what had happened, Dev Anand’s close friend Mohan Churiwala spoke about it in a conversation with Vickey Lalwani. Sharing what Vijay Anand once told him, Churiwala said, “Goldie sahab shared this story with me. He said that for a commoner, someone far removed from the industry, Raj Kapoor is like God. But when it came to interacting with fellow filmmakers, he would become a little insecure.”

According to Churiwala, the incident began shortly after 'Guide' was released. One night, around 2 am, Raj Kapoor reportedly called Dev Anand’s residence and insisted on speaking to him. When the house help answered, Kapoor threatened to come over if the call was not connected. Though irritated, Dev Anand eventually picked up the phone, only to be told that Raj Kapoor wanted to watch Guide immediately.

Dev Anand suggested sending the print the next morning, but Raj Kapoor was adamant. As he was reportedly drunk, Dev Anand agreed and went back to sleep. About 15 minutes later, Raj Kapoor called again to ask if the print had been sent. Realising Kapoor was serious, Dev Anand arranged to have the print delivered to RK Studios. He added, “At around 6 am, after finishing the film, Raj Kapoor reportedly called Dev Anand once again, praising both the film and Vijay Anand. He told Dev Anand, ‘You are so lucky to have such a talented brother.’ He was crying on the phone. Dev Anand, who was initially annoyed for being woken up again and again by Kapoor on the same night, felt better as Raj Kapoor praising a film meant achieving something big as a filmmaker and producer.”

Soon after, at a social gathering attended by Raj Kapoor, a proud Dev Anand asked Vijay Anand to greet him personally. To Vijay’s surprise, Raj Kapoor acted as if he did not recognise him. When Vijay introduced himself, Kapoor casually asked, “What have you been doing? How far has your education come?”

Vijay Anand replied that he was making films and had recently directed 'Guide', whose print had already been sent to him. Raj Kapoor brushed it off, saying, “Oh, okay. I’ll watch it and let you know.” The interaction left Vijay deeply embarrassed. Dev Anand later tried to downplay the incident, suggesting that Raj Kapoor might have been in a different mood.

The awkward behaviour continued. Around the same time, Dev Anand’s sister Boney Anand attended a puja at Raj Kapoor’s home, where Kapoor once again praised Vijay Anand at length.

When Boney excitedly told Vijay about it and suggested visiting Raj Kapoor for dinner the same evening, Vijay hesitated but eventually agreed. However, the meeting ended in disappointment once again. Raj Kapoor reportedly repeated the same questions, 'What have you been doing lately? Where are you studying? - as though they had never met."
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