
When Rajiv Kapoor admitted his disbelief after father Raj Kapoor asked him to act in Ram Teri Ganga Maili: 'I didn't understand what he meant'
Raj Kapoor
's son, actor
Rajiv Kapoor
, gained attention for his role in 'Ram Teri Ganga Maili', even though he could not make it big in the industry like his father. The 1985 film 'Ram Teri Ganga Maili' was directed by his father and went on to become one of the highest-grossing movies of its time.
Raj
iv Kapoor about his role in Raj Kapoor's 'Ram Teri Ganga Maili'
When Raj Kapoor cheated on wife Krishna Raj Kapoor
In an earlier conversation with Lehren Retro, Rajiv opened up about his surprise when his father entrusted him with the lead role in the movie. He shared that he had only one prayer — to become his father Raj Kapoor's assistant, as he was also his 'guru' in the industry. 'I was his student. I got the opportunity when he started Prem Rog and asked me to assist him. That was a big moment for me because I was getting a chance to learn from an absolute legend,' he recalled.
Rajiv further shared that there was no sense of entitlement despite being the son of the great director. Raj Kapoor encouraged him to forge his own path and grow independently. He confessed to secretly hoping that he would one day be cast by his father.
Rajiv about his role in 'Ram Teri Ganga Maili'
'I prayed to God — I had signed four or five films… but please give me one chance to act in my father's film. At that time, Ram Teri Ganga Maili wasn't even on his mind. Then one evening he called me and asked, 'Will you work with me?' At first, I didn't understand what he meant. Then he asked, 'What's your date availability? I want you to act in my next film.' I replied, 'Sir, why are you joking… what do you mean by work? Just tell me when to start.
'' Rajiv shared their conversation and added that he had cancelled all his other commitments just to give his dates to his father.

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Indian Express
8 hours ago
- Indian Express
Bollywood's most celebrated Golden Age writer died penniless, burdened by heavy debts; Javed Akhtar blamed Raj Kapoor
In 1947, a young apprentice named Shankardas Kesarilal, who would later be known as Shailendra, worked at the Matunga workshop of Indian Railways. Between shifts, he scribbled poetry and performed at mushairas. At one such gathering in Bombay, he recited his poem 'Jalta Hai Punjab', which caught the attention of a budding filmmaker named Raj Kapoor. Kapoor offered to use the poem in his debut film Aag, but Shailendra declined. A member of the left-leaning Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA), he was skeptical of mainstream cinema. However, when his wife became pregnant and he needed money, he returned to Kapoor. At the time, Barsaat was in production and two songs were still unwritten. For Rs 500, Shailendra wrote 'Barsaat Mein' and 'Patli Kamar Hai', composed by the then-upcoming duo Shankar–Jaikishan. This marked the beginning of a creative partnership that would help shape the emotional grammar of post-independence Hindi cinema. The trio of Raj Kapoor, Shailendra, and composer duo Shankar–Jaikishan became one of the most influential teams in film history. Shailendra's lyrics for 'Awara Hoon' gained popularity not just in India, but also internationally, particularly in the Soviet Union and parts of the Middle East. In Shree 420, his words shaped some of Indian cinema's most iconic songs, including 'Pyaar Hua Iqraar Hua'. While closely associated with Raj Kapoor's films, Shailendra also collaborated with directors like Bimal Roy (Do Bigha Zameen, Madhumati, Bandini) and Vijay Anand (Guide, Kala Bazar), and with composers such as Salil Chowdhury, S.D. Burman, and Ravi Shankar. His bond with Raj Kapoor grew so deep that he decided to produce his first film, putting money behind Kapoor and actress Waheeda Rehman in 1960. The film was Teesri Kasam, directed by Basu Bhattacharya. It was an adaptation of Phanishwar Nath Renu's acclaimed short story Maare Gaye Gulfam. Today regarded as a cult classic, the film was a box office failure and led to a financial crisis for Shailendra. In the words of lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar, it was because of Raj Kapoor that Shailendra suffered major losses during the production of Teesri Kasam. Started in 1960, the film wasn't released until 1966 due to repeated delays and Kapoor allegedly not allotting dates for the shoot. Akhtar even went so far as to claim that these financial burdens contributed to Shailendra's death, and that Kapoor was responsible. Also Read | Star of Bollywood's Golden Era died penniless due to flamboyant lifestyle, influenced Amitabh Bachchan and won praise from Mahatma Gandhi This claim did not sit well with Raj Kapoor's son, actor Rishi Kapoor, who, in his book Khullam Khulla, demanded a public apology from Javed Akhtar for defaming his father. He wrote: 'Despite all the goodwill, Javed managed to hurt me very deeply a while ago. In a programme on some television channel, during an episode dedicated to lyricist Shailendra, who was a member of my father's core group until his dying day, Javed blamed my father for the lyricist's untimely death. I cannot fathom why. Perhaps it was to spice up the episode. Quite a few people have told me that he has always had a hang-up about my father. I am hurt and upset about it to this day, and I have let him know that I do not appreciate his baseless, irresponsible and false accusation. He did say that he did not mean it the way it came across, so I let sleeping dogs lie.' Rishi further wrote, 'Javed had claimed that Shailendra died because of the debts that piled up during the making of his film Teesri Kasam (1966), a film my dad worked in. He alleged that Papa had delayed the film with the result that Shailendra had run up those debts. I wonder what debts he was referring to because my father paid for everything and he was not paid for the film either. He even completed the film with his own funds. The truth is that my father kept telling Shailendra not to make the film. Shailendra died because his own brother-in-law cheated him. My father took it upon himself to pay Shailendra's hospital bills and cleared all his debts. I have checked this with all the senior people who worked with RK, I have asked my mother about it, I have interrogated everyone who was around at that time. I think Javed should publicly apologize for his defamatory statement or furnish substantial proof that my father had anything to do with Shailendra's death. Having made such an accusation, he should have the courage to back it up with evidence or admit that it was a mistake.' Rishi even noted that he spared Javed Akhtar out of respect for his second wife, Shabana Azmi: 'I am extremely fond of Shabana, so I didn't allow the situation to get out of hand. But I did tell Farhan Akhtar at a party that Anil Ambani had hosted for Steven Spielberg that I was extremely upset, and that one day my patience would wear out and it wouldn't be pleasant. I am a patient man, but I have never been afraid of anyone and I don't mean to start now.' However, things eventually settled between the Akhtars and the Kapoors. In fact, Javed Akhtar was among those who visited Rishi Kapoor during his final days in the US while he was undergoing cancer treatment. Shailendra's death might remain a controversial chapter, but his contribution is timeless. Gulzar, on many occasions, has said that Shailendra was the finest lyricist the Hindi film industry has ever produced. His songs, like 'Mera Joota Hai Japani', continue to be remembered and sung, even making their way into global pop culture, such as their use in Marvel's film Deadpool. It's a testament to what a great craftsman he truly was.


India.com
a day ago
- India.com
Meet actress who gave blockbuster debut, became overnight star with just one scene, left acting, now works as..., she is...
There are a few films from the 80s and 90s that never let us forget the plot and the actor's portrayal of the assigned roles. One such film, in 1985, shook the very foundation of Indian cinema. Ram Teri Ganga Maili , helmed by the legendary Raj Kapoor, didn't just draw crowds to theatres — it demanded their attention. The film was a major box office success in 1985, becoming the highest-grossing Indian film of the year. Box Office India classified it as an 'All-Time Blockbuster,' and it earned a nett amount of Rs 9.5 crore. The film also collected approximately Rs 14 crore net at the box office, with a distributor share of around ₹8 crore. But behind the film's grand success lies a story of contrasting destinies: while it made one actor immortal, it buried another in silence. This film wasn't just another cinematic venture. It was Raj Kapoor's personal launchpad for his son Rajiv Kapoor, who debuted in the role of Narendra. The intention was clear — a father crafting a legacy for his son. But fate, and the camera, had other plans. Yes, you read it right! Opposite Rajiv was Mandakini, cast as Ganga. And it was her portrayal — raw, bold, unforgettable — that hijacked every spotlight. One scene in particular, the now-iconic waterfall sequence where she appears in a transparent white saree, stirred controversy and catapulted her into instant stardom. The song playing? Mere Paas Tujhe Aana Hai — a soft melody that ironically drowned out the male lead's presence entirely. 'Raj Kapoor always knew how to present his heroines like no other,' say industry insiders. And this time, it worked too well. Mandakini didn't just steal the frame — she became the frame. Audiences left theatres remembering her , quoting her , worshipping her . Rajiv, on the other hand, was labelled a showpiece — handsome but forgettable, overshadowed in his own debut. The film became a commercial success and is still watched nostalgically today. But for Rajiv Kapoor, it didn't mark the beginning of a luminous career — it was nearly the end. Despite the love for the film, his Bollywood journey never took off. Ironically, the movie made to launch Rajiv became Mandakini's legacy. Decades later, she's still remembered for that scene, while his name remains a footnote in her success story. A film born out of a legacy ended up writing its myth — and rewriting two lives in the process.


Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
When Rajiv Kapoor admitted his disbelief after father Raj Kapoor asked him to act in Ram Teri Ganga Maili: 'I didn't understand what he meant'
Raj Kapoor 's son, actor Rajiv Kapoor , gained attention for his role in 'Ram Teri Ganga Maili', even though he could not make it big in the industry like his father. The 1985 film 'Ram Teri Ganga Maili' was directed by his father and went on to become one of the highest-grossing movies of its time. Raj iv Kapoor about his role in Raj Kapoor's 'Ram Teri Ganga Maili' When Raj Kapoor cheated on wife Krishna Raj Kapoor In an earlier conversation with Lehren Retro, Rajiv opened up about his surprise when his father entrusted him with the lead role in the movie. He shared that he had only one prayer — to become his father Raj Kapoor's assistant, as he was also his 'guru' in the industry. 'I was his student. I got the opportunity when he started Prem Rog and asked me to assist him. That was a big moment for me because I was getting a chance to learn from an absolute legend,' he recalled. Rajiv further shared that there was no sense of entitlement despite being the son of the great director. Raj Kapoor encouraged him to forge his own path and grow independently. He confessed to secretly hoping that he would one day be cast by his father. Rajiv about his role in 'Ram Teri Ganga Maili' 'I prayed to God — I had signed four or five films… but please give me one chance to act in my father's film. At that time, Ram Teri Ganga Maili wasn't even on his mind. Then one evening he called me and asked, 'Will you work with me?' At first, I didn't understand what he meant. Then he asked, 'What's your date availability? I want you to act in my next film.' I replied, 'Sir, why are you joking… what do you mean by work? Just tell me when to start. '' Rajiv shared their conversation and added that he had cancelled all his other commitments just to give his dates to his father.