Raj Khosla teaches Shatrughan Sinha lesson Ved Prakash: Raj Khosla Centenary (1923–2025) Special

BY SHANTISWAROOP TRIPATHI

From CID, Woh Kaun Thi, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki, Do Premi, Do Badan, Dostana, Anita, Chirag, Do Raaste, Sharif Badmash, Kachche Dhaage to Prem Kahani – Raj Khosla directed and produced 29 of the most successful films of Hindi cinema. This year marks his centenary. Born on 31st May 1923 in Rahon, Punjab, he passed away on 9th June 1991 in Mumbai at the age of 66. He is survived by five daughters, each settled in her own life. Ved Prakash Srivastava worked as his secretary, not for a short while but until Raj Khosla’s very last days. (Shatrughan Sinha lesson from Raj Khosla Ved Prakash story)

How did your first meeting with Raj Khosla happen?

It was during the time when I was working with Ameen Sayani, writing for the popular radio programme “S. Kumar Ka Filmi Mukadma.” For the same show, I once interviewed actor Sudhir. After the interview, Sudhir asked me if I would like to work as secretary to director Raj Khosla. I had no objections. In fact, I was eager—I knew I would get to learn something new. Sudhir spoke to Raj Khosla and then told me to go and meet him. (Ved Prakash recalls Raj Khosla teaching Shatrughan Sinha)

The next day, Raj Khosla was shooting in the Ruiya Park area of Mumbai. I went to meet him there. We had a brief conversation. Raj Khosla then asked me to come to his home the next day. His residence was Marina Apartments, Pali Hill, Bandra. I went there the following day. We spoke for nearly an hour, after which I was given the opportunity to work with him. He simply said: “Start coming to the office from tomorrow.”(behind the scenes Raj Khosla Shatrughan Sinha lesson)

Once everything was decided, I hesitantly placed one condition. Raj Khosla looked at me curiously and said, “Oh, you also have a condition? Tell me then.” I said, “Every year I go to my home in Bihar for a month during April or May, so I would need leave for that.” Raj Khosla replied, “That’s no problem, you are always free to go home.”

When I joined Raj Khosla as his secretary, films like Daasi, Do Premi, Maati Mange Khoon and Dostana were on the floors. (Raj Khosla Shatrughan Sinha anecdote Ved Prakash)

Raj Sahib was a master of technique. He would finish ten hours of work in four. Another of his rules was that by 9 p.m., the pack-up was mandatory.

An interesting incident on the sets of Daasi

I want to narrate a memorable incident from the sets of Daasi at Mehboob Studio, Bandra. On the set that day were Sanjeev Kumar, Rekha, Moushumi Chatterjee and Rakesh Roshan. A song sequence was being filmed.

Let me tell you, Raj Khosla originally wanted to become a singer. In fact, he even sang one song for a film. But eventually, due to a dramatic incident involving singer Mukesh, he gave up the idea of becoming a playback singer.

That day, after the song shoot was completed beautifully, Raj Sahib sat with a harmonium and began singing. He continued to sing one after another, while a spot boy kept handing him a glass of whisky mixed with Thums Up every half an hour. The entire unit enjoyed his impromptu mehfil.

In the middle of this, Raj Sahib suddenly called me over and instructed, “Ved Prakash, give everyone here a hundred rupees each.” In those days, a hundred rupees was a big amount. I thought it was just the effect of alcohol, so I quietly moved aside. But again after some time, he called me and asked, “Did you give them the money?” I told him, “Sir, I am arranging it, I have written down everyone’s names.”

I then went to the studio’s receptionist Rauf Bhai and phoned Raj Sahib’s nephew Anil Khosla for advice. He told me, “Do whatever Raj Sahib says.” So I took ten thousand rupees from the film’s producer and distributed one hundred rupees each among all the workers. (how Raj Khosla taught Shatrughan Sinha a lesson Ved Prakash story)

The next morning, when I went to Raj Sahib’s home, he asked, “How much money did you distribute last night?” I replied, “Ten thousand rupees.” Immediately he handed me the same amount and told me to return it to the producer. When I gave it back to producer Subhash Verma on set, the producer hesitated to take it. I informed Raj Sahib, who said, “Last night it was my happiness, so I distributed the money. Today you take it back—if you feel like, you can distribute it yourself.” Eventually, the producer accepted the money.

This was when I had only recently started working with Raj Sahib and was still getting to know him. He was an extremely kind-hearted man. He carried a Diners Club card for his personal expenses, yet he would also keep ten thousand rupees cash with him daily, which by the end of the day he would distribute among those in need.

Any memorable incidents with actors?

Raj Sahib’s way of working was such that he had great rapport with every actor and technician. But one thing he did not tolerate was lateness. Everyone knew that Shatrughan Sinha had a habit of arriving late to sets.(iconic Bollywood lesson Raj Khosla Shatrughan Sinha)

During the film Maati Mange Khoon, which starred Shatrughan Sinha, Raj Babbar, Rekha, Reena Roy and Tanuja, Raj Sahib once told me, “Now I will fix Shatrughan Sinha.” He instructed me to go to Mehboob Studio and wait for Sinha’s arrival, then call him as soon as Sinha reached.

The shift was at 2 p.m. All other actors and technicians arrived on time, but Shatrughan Sinha came only at 5 p.m. I phoned Raj Sahib. He then arrived at the studio at 6 p.m., and did just two hours of shooting. This continued for two to three days. After that, Shatrughan Sinha began arriving on time. Raj Sahib taught him the lesson that only if you come on time will good work be done—otherwise not.

Raj Sahib was a man of discipline. He always worked with a smile.

Once you left Raj Khosla’s service, but then returned. What happened?
Raj Sahib was very fond of chess. He even kept a man on a monthly salary just to play chess with him, complete with conveyance allowance for coming to shoots. In between scenes, when the unit was preparing lighting or setup, Raj Sahib would play chess. Sometimes, even when the scene was ready to be filmed, if his chess game had reached a climax, he would refuse to leave midway. Everyone wanted the shoot to continue on time, but no one dared interrupt him. (behind the scenes Shatrughan Sinha Raj Khosla Ved Prakash)

This passion for chess once caused a problem between us. I remember one evening when actor Manohar Deepak’s wife’s dance school had a programme where Raj Sahib was invited. When I reminded him, he said to call and cancel, saying he was unwell. I phoned Deepak and gave the excuse. But Deepak insisted he would come to check on him personally. I told him not to, but he still came.

When I told Raj Sahib, he scolded me for giving “illness” as the excuse. He told me to stop Deepak downstairs. He even said, “If he comes upstairs, your job is over.” Raj Sahib never spoke to me like this—he always respected me—but that day he did. (film industry anecdotes Raj Khosla Shatrughan Sinha lesson)

So I quietly left with my bag. When Deepak came, I told him not to go upstairs or else I would lose my job. But he still went. The next day, I resigned. Later, I worked with producers like Balbir Singh, Pawan Kumar and Yash Johar. After some time, Raj Sahib himself stopped his car when he saw me, called me in, and took me back. From then till his death in 1991, I stayed with him. He treated me like family.

What about payments? Bollywood is infamous for delayed salaries.

With Raj Khosla, it was different. Salaries were always punctual—like in a government office. On the 30th or 31st of every month, everyone was paid. Once, even when his father was critically ill in hospital, he ensured salaries were distributed on time.

I once thought of delaying payments due to his father’s condition. On the 3rd, he asked me, “What date is it today?” When I said the 3rd, he asked why salaries hadn’t been signed. I explained the situation, but he scolded me: “Mr. Ved Prakash, women in every household wait for their husbands to bring money on the first. They make plans accordingly. Our personal crises are not their concern. This is your first mistake—never repeat it.” He immediately signed all the cheques.

That was Raj Sahib—disciplined and professional.

Any other memorable incident?

Yes. As I mentioned earlier, I always took a month’s leave in May. In 1991, the day before leaving, I met Raj Sahib at his home. We had a very emotional conversation. He told me, “Ved, I’ve never done anything for my staff. Once you return from your holiday, let’s plan something from the profits of the new film for them.”

Those days, people kept their word. But while returning from my vacation, at Itarsi station I read in the newspaper that Raj Khosla had passed away. When I came back, the office was shut forever.

How did Raj Khosla select his stories?

Writers like Kamath and Abid Surti were part of the writing department. His last film was Naqaab (earlier titled Shrimati). During its making, he realised something had gone wrong. He even told me, “Do the publicity without showing the film to anyone.” He once said, “Even the best cook sometimes gets it wrong.”

He never compromised on quality. For Do Premi, an expensive set was built at Mehboob Studio. He didn’t like it, so he had the entire set dismantled and rebuilt.

Which Raj Khosla film is your favourite?

My top favourite is Dostana. Then Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki, and Woh Kaun Thi—all brilliant films. Raj Sahib worked in every genre and excelled in all.

FAQ

1. Who was Raj Khosla?
Raj Khosla was a legendary Bollywood director known for his memorable films and unique approach to guiding actors on set.

2. Who is Shatrughan Sinha?
Shatrughan Sinha is a veteran Bollywood actor and former politician, famous for his roles in films from the 1970s and 1980s.

3. What lesson did Raj Khosla teach Shatrughan Sinha?
Ved Prakash, former secretary to Raj Khosla, shares that Khosla taught Sinha a professional and valuable lesson on discipline, dedication, and acting craft, though the exact anecdote varies in retellings.

4. Who is Ved Prakash?
Ved Prakash served as the secretary to director Raj Khosla and often shares behind-the-scenes stories and insights about Bollywood legends.

5. Why is this story significant?
The anecdote highlights the mentorship style of legendary directors like Raj Khosla and offers a glimpse into how actors like Shatrughan Sinha were shaped by their experiences on set.

6. Where can we read more about this story?
This story is featured in interviews, memoirs, and articles where Ved Prakash recounts his time working with Raj Khosla and observing interactions with actors.

7. What can aspiring actors learn from this anecdote?
Aspiring actors can learn the importance of discipline, humility, and learning from experienced mentors in the film industry.

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