Raj Kapoor Death Anniversary: He always appreciated the work of his colleagues

It was the first International Film Festival Of India being held in New Delhi . The industry from all over the country was represented by all the leading stars and film makers from India and delegates from different film making countries of the world.

By Bollyy 03 Jun 2024 in Ali Peter John

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Raj Kapoor (Who Else ? ) , Was Always The First To Appreciate The Work Of His Contemporaries And Colleagues

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Ali Peter John

Raj Kapoor Death Anniversary | It was the first International Film Festival Of India being held in New Delhi . The industry from all over the country was represented by all the leading stars and film makers from India and delegates from different film making countries of the world.

One of the films screened at the festival was Chetan Anand's" Haqeeqat"

which was inspired by the Indo-China war of 1962 . Chetan Anand had already made a name for himself as a director when he made his first film "Neecha Nagar"which won the award for the best film at the Karlovy Vary Festivals .

"Haqeeqat" was a black and white war film produced and directed by Chetan Anand with actors like Balraj Sahni , Jayant (the father of Amjad Khan ) and several new actors like Dharmendra , Priya Rajvansh and Sudhir , but the highlight of the film was its music by Madan Mohan and its lyrics by Kaifi Azami and the brilliant cinematography.

Raj Kapoor was among the first to see the film during a screening at the festival . He was so carried away by the film that he didn't moved out even during the interval .

He came out after seeing the film and rushed to meet Chetan Anand and Priya Rajvansh , the leading lady of the film . He couldn't control his happiness and straightaway asked Chetan Anand if he had sold his film in any territory and when he saw Chetan Anand looking around helplessly , he told Chetan Anand to leave the headache of the distribution of the film to him and within Minutes , Raj Kapoor called Mr.Hemen Ganguly who was his regular distributor and asked Ganguly not only to buy the film , but also pay Chetan Anand the price he paid for the films of R.K.Films.

Chetan Anand could not believe the gesture of Raj Kapoor .

"Haqeeqat "went on to become a very big hit and Chetan Anand had establish himself and his new banner , Himalaya Films under which banner he continued making films like "Heer Ranjha", "Hindustan Ki Kasam" and his last film as a director" Haathon Ki Lakeeren".

Raj Kapoor was also the first to call Guru Dutt's film , "Kazag Ke Phool"a master piece before its time . He said the film would not be understood by the audience of the time when it was made , but would be appreciated as a milestone in Indian cinema in the years and years to come . His prediction for the film is still coming true .

Raj Kapoor had the courage to accept his own failure . And proved it when his film "Jagte Raho"with him and with Nargis in what was like a special appearance . He was broken -hearted when the film flopped , but he always considered jagte raho and the biggest disaster of his career "Mera Naam Joker "as his "favorite children ".

Chetan Anand's bungalow in Juhu facing the sea is still as it was with only his director- son Ketan Anand living all alone with a thousand memories of his father and his films . I had my last meeting with Chetan Anand in this same bungalow at a birthday party hosted by himself and only his brothers , Dev and Goldie (Vijaya Anand) , their families and Dr.B.R.Chopra and me (thanks to Dev Sahab ) as guests on a very star-lit -night ....

Incidentally Dev Sahab was instrumental and inspired his nephews like Shekhar Kapur and some other nephews to make a career in films.

I knew how Vaibhav (Vibhu) Anand , the only son of Vijay Anand was not interested in films till he met his uncle, Dev Sahab in his Pent House one evening.

And when he came back home , he was walking like Dev Anand , trying his best to look like Dev Anand and announced to his father that he would be in a career where his uncle , Dev Anand had made it as a legends.......

Chetan Anand's other son Vivek Anand has a son called Rishi Anand and he too went to meet Dev Sahab one evening and asked Dev Sahab which acting school he should join to be an actor . Dev Sahab walked around his Pent House and told Rishi not to depend on any acting class , but only learn how to sing song for the screen and how to romance girls and the rest would be taken care of by god (Dev).

And now , Rishi Anand is one more Anand who is all set to make his debut as a leading man, most probably in a film to be directed by his uncle , Ketan Anand.