Manoj Kumar Ji Was My Inspiration – Ruhan Kapoor

Ruhan Kapoor, the famous singer and actor, and son of the renowned singer Mahendra Kapoor, recently shared an exclusive conversation with MayaPuri, where he spoke about the deep friendship between his father, Mahendra Kapoor, and Manoj Kumar. He reflected on how both of them impacted his life, their contributions, and much more. Let’s dive into this insightful conversation.

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Singer-Actor Ruhan Kapoor began by talking about the long-standing connection between his father, Mahendra Kapoor, and Manoj Kumar. He said, “Their relationship dates back to when my father sang the iconic song ‘Mera Rang De Basanti Chola’ for Manoj Kumar’s film Shaheed (1965). When the song was recorded, Manoj ji was very happy because he saw that my father had sung it with great dedication and passion. He appreciated my father’s hard work and commitment, saying, ‘You’ve sung this song wonderfully. When I make my first directorial film, I want your voice to be the one that sings for me.’”

At first, my father thought Manoj ji was just being polite and would forget about it. But surprisingly, he did not forget. One day, Manoj ji called my father and invited him for a meeting. During the meeting, he explained the full concept of the song Jai Jawan Jai Kisan from the film Upkaar (1967). That’s when my father recorded the song, and the film became a massive hit. The song became so popular that it’s often considered India’s second ‘national anthem.’ Everyone in the country knows this song."

My Desire to Learn from Manoj Kumar Ji

Ruhan Kapoor continued to share that when his schooling was completed, his father asked him if he wanted to learn anything before joining college. Rohan said, “I told him I wanted to learn from a good director, someone who could guide me. My father immediately asked me, ‘Who would you like to learn from?’ I said, ‘Manoj Kumar Ji.’ My father called him up and told him about my wish. Manoj ji immediately agreed and said, ‘Okay, bring him to RK Studio tomorrow.’ He also told me to bring coconut, sweets, and a sacred thread.”

A Memorable First Encounter

The next day, Rohan brought the requested items and went to the set where Kranti was being filmed. He remembers, “I met Manoj ji and offered him the coconut. Afterward, he shared the sweets with everyone on set. We chatted for a while, and I saw his favorite spot boy – a Bengali – cleaning the set as he rushed to prepare for Shashi Kapoor’s arrival. But since he wasn’t around, I took the initiative to clean the set myself. Manoj ji saw this, and later in the evening, he called me over, kissed my forehead, and said, ‘I’m very happy with what you did. I can see that you’re not here just as my friend’s son; you’re here to truly learn, and you’ll go very far.’ That’s when I received his blessing.”

Learning from a Master

Rohan credits Manoj Kumar Ji for teaching him valuable lessons. He shared that his father and Manoj ji worked together on several films like Upkaar, Purab Aur Paschim, Roti Kapda Aur Makan, which earned them many awards including the National Award, Padma Shri, and Filmfare. Rohan recalls the impact these songs had on audiences and said, “In Kranti, there were also some fantastic songs.”

Emotionally Moving Moments with His Father’s Music

Rohan reminisces about the emotional moments he witnessed when his father performed abroad. He recalled a time when his father performed the song Hai Preet Jahan Ki Reet Sada from Purab Aur Paschim. “I saw people crying uncontrollably, almost like children. The power of my father’s voice and music had such a deep emotional impact.”

A Relationship That Never Faded

Even after the passing of Rohan's father, Manoj Kumar Ji continued to stay in touch. Rohan said, “He never distanced himself from us. We continued to meet, and we would talk for hours. He had immense affection for my children as well. He would often share his heart with us, and we learned so much from him.”

Manoj Ji’s dedication to the country and his values never ceased to amaze Rohan. He remembered that Manoj Ji often came as the chief guest to Rohan’s shows, even if it meant coming in a wheelchair. Rohan recalled a moment when he was singing and Manoj Kumar Ji joined him, singing Mere Desh Ki Dharati along with him. “It was such a proud moment to sing that song with him,” Rohan said.

A Personal Story from Kranti

Rohan shared another fascinating memory from the film Kranti. “There was a time when Manoj Ji gathered all of us students, made us sit in a line, and told us about the hero of the film, a Maratha freedom fighter named Kanu Angal. He emphasized how little has been written about such heroes in history. Manoj Ji was always the one who did extensive research and paid attention to every detail, which showed his passion and commitment.”

Manoj Ji's Impact on His First Film

Rohan also mentioned that when Yash Chopra offered him a role in the film Fasle, his father told Manoj Kumar Ji about it. Rohan said, “Manoj Ji was so happy for me. He invited me to his home, looked at my album, and was very pleased with my progress. He kissed my forehead and blessed me.”

Words of Wisdom and Encouragement

Finally, Rohan shared that Manoj Ji had once sent him words of Baba Farid and encouraged him to incorporate those words into his songs. Rohan said, “I plan to follow his advice and will soon release a song inspired by those words.”

Through these stories, Ruhan Kapoor beautifully encapsulated the legacy of Manoj Kumar Ji – his unwavering friendship, his mentorship, and the invaluable life lessons he imparted. It’s clear that Manoj Kumar Ji was not just an influential figure in Rohan’s life but also a source of constant guidance and support.

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