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Raj Kapoor thought son Rishi Kapoor ‘paagal hogaya hai' after Karz flopped, told Subhash Ghai to fix him: ‘He fell ill'

Raj Kapoor thought son Rishi Kapoor ‘paagal hogaya hai' after Karz flopped, told Subhash Ghai to fix him: ‘He fell ill'

Indian Express2 days ago
The late Rishi Kapoor had a lot riding on the film Karz. He was certain that it would become a hit, but when the movie underperformed commercially upon release, he was heartbroken. The film's performance was hugely impacted a week after its release by Feroz Khan's Qurbani, and it eventually declared an 'average' grosser. But, over the years, Karz has become a cult classic, particularly for its music. Its reincarnation plot has influenced several other films. Rishi Kapoor witnessed the film's growing popularity during his lifetime, but Subhash Ghai expressed his dismay about the actor not being around to celebrate its 45th anniversary this year.
In an interview with Radio Nasha, he spoke about Rishi's skeptical nature, and said that he had to prove his musical chops to the actor. For the song 'Dard-E-Dil, Dard-E-Jigar Dil Mein Jagaaya Aap Ne,' there was no choreographer present on set. Rishi was concerned if Subhash Ghai could film the number without help, but when he watched the final result, he was shocked. 'He was wondering if I have a sense for music,' the filmmaker said in the interview.
Opening up about Rishi's reaction after the film's release, he said, 'The poor guy had worked very hard, and he had a lot of expectations from the film. He was sure it would be a roaring success. But another film came along, Qurbani, and became a huge hit. Our film took a hit for a few weeks. He thought that the movie had flopped. He fell ill. His father, Raj Kapoor, called me up and told me to knock some sense into him. 'Dost ko samjhao yaar, filmein chalti hain aur nahi chalti, yeh paagal hogaya hai'.'
Also read – Rishi Kapoor, Katrina Kaif got up and left when it was time for Vir Das' close-up: 'They had umbrellas, I was left to bake in sun'
The film picked up the pace eventually. 'He'd have been celebrating the 45th anniversary with us had he been alive,' the filmmaker said. Rishi Kapoor died in 2020 after a two-year battle with cancer. He was undergoing treatment in New York for several months, and had filmed portions of what would become his final project, Sharmaji Namkeen.
In his autobiography, Khullam Khulla, Rishi had written about the blow he felt after Karz underperformed. 'I felt every ounce of confidence drain out of me. Karz had held great promise, I had thought it would do wonders for my career. It had wonderful music, and some great work by the cast and crew. I believed it would be a resounding success and earn rave reviews. When that didn't happen, I was shattered,' he wrote. Subhash Ghai said that he was concerned about Rishi's health. 'On Sunday, I learnt that he had been admitted to the hospital for depression. He had worked hard on every scene and was so proud of the film, requesting several preview shows for his friends before its release. The no-show came as a shock and I had to get Raj saab (Kapoor) to reassure him that we'd made a good film irrespective of its commercial failure,' he said.
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Kishore Kumar: The Voice of Melody and Money
Kishore Kumar: The Voice of Melody and Money

India Today

timean hour ago

  • India Today

Kishore Kumar: The Voice of Melody and Money

On August 4, 2025, we celebrate what would have been the 96th birthday of Kishore Kumar—the legendary singer, actor, and filmmaker whose unparalleled talent and eccentric charm left an indelible imprint on Indian cinema. In this three-part series, we explore the multifaceted life of this enigmatic genius, delving into his complex relationships with love, marriage, money, madness, and fame. This part explores how his voice and financial quirks intertwined, reflecting both his personality and the era he lived in. You can read part one and part two many years after Independence, KL Saigal was India's most reliable alarm clock, and Kishore Kumar the payday morning at 7:30, Radio Ceylon would broadcast old Hindi songs. Precisely at 7:57, Saigal's magical voice would stream through radio sets, uniting the country with a melody. Kishore's voice greeted listeners on the 1st of every month with the song, Khush hai zamana aaj pehli tarikh hai, a celebration of payday. Money, thus, became synonymous with Kishore's voice—a bond that defined both his songs and his life. In Subhash Ghai's cult classic Karz, Kishore belted out Paisa Ye Paisa with infectious zest. Many in the film industry quipped that when he lamented, 'there's nothing like money-it's trouble when you have it, it's trouble when you don't,' Kishore was singing a personal Ye Paisa Kishore Kumar's love for money was no secret in the film industry. Stories of his financial demands were legendary, often tinged with his trademark was known to insist on upfront payments before recording sessions, sometimes refusing to sing until cash was quite literally in his hands. Anecdotes abound of producers arriving at his doorstep with briefcases full of cash to coax him into the insistence stemmed not just from a desire for wealth but from a deep-seated mistrust of the industry's payment practices, where delays and defaults were shooting for many films, he often shaved off either one side of his hair or his moustache if payment was delayed. In one such film, Bhai-Bhai (1956), Kishore reportedly shaved off one side of his moustache after a payment dispute. With no hat or quick fix available, the shoot was stalled until the producer scrambled to arrange funds. Crew members recalled Kishore sitting calmly on set, sipping tea and humming tunes, while the production team scrambled to resolve the issue. His half-shaven look became a visual ultimatum: pay up or halt the another instance, while filming Miss Mary (1957), the producer made him shoot wearing a hat to hide his eccentric do, gaana lo!Producers knew that stepping into his recording studio without cash or a confirmed payment was a gamble. One oft-repeated tale involves a prominent producer who arrived at Kishore's home for a recording session, only to find the singer lounging in his garden, refusing to budge until payment was cleared. When the producer offered a cheque, Kishore reportedly quipped, 'Cheques bounce, but my voice doesn't!'Only after a frantic dash to arrange cash did the session incident that showcased Kishore's financial eccentricity occurred during the making of a low-budget film in the 1960s. When the producer failed to pay Kishore's acting fees on time, he decided to take matters into his own hands-quite drove to the producer's office, parked outside, and began honking incessantly while shouting, 'Paisa do, gaana lo!' (Pay the money, get the song!). After a few minutes, Kishore drove off, leaving behind a trail of laughter and a lesson for the industry: never cross Kishore Kumar on payment brother Dadamoni Ashok Kumar claimed this wasn't mere greed; in an industry notorious for delayed payments and broken promises, Kishore's demands were a pragmatic response to financial frugality was equally famous. Kishore reportedly kept meticulous records of his earnings and expenses, a habit that reflected both his business acumen and his anxiety about financial security. Despite his immense success—singing for over 1,000 films and commanding some of the highest fees in the industry—he lived with a paradoxical fear of losing it popular tale, often shared by industry insiders, describes Kishore keeping stacks of cash at home and personally tallying his earnings, not out of greed but to maintain control over his finances. His third wife, Yogeeta Bali, claimed Kishore counted money repeatedly throughout the night, a claim the singer denied as a Rupaiyya Barah AanaKishore's financial woes were exacerbated by his frequent clashes with India's Income Tax Department, particularly during the 1970s, when tax rates for high earners could exceed 90 substantial earnings from playback singing, acting, and producing films made him a prime target for tax authorities. The government's aggressive tax policies, coupled with Kishore's unconventional approach to financial dealings, led to several high-profile disputes. Kishore responded to tax notices with songs mocking the authorities: Meri Lottery Lag Jaane Waali Hai and Jai Govindam Jai fool the tax authorities, Kishore produced films with the aim of losing money, so that his earnings could be offset against inflated losses. But, to his surprise, some of these films, like Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi, Jhumroo and Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Main became bumper Jeevan HaiDespite these challenges, Kishore's relationship with money was not purely materialistic. Having grown up in a modest family in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, Kishore understood the value of money from an early initial years in the industry were marked by financial struggles, especially after his first marriage. His rise to stardom did not erase the memory of leaner times, and his financial caution was as much about self-preservation as it was about love of money was not just about hoarding wealth but about securing the freedom to live life on his own terms—whether that meant producing quirky films or retreating to his beloved Khandwa to escape the chaos of generosity was less publicised but equally significant. He often helped struggling artists, quietly funding their projects or offering them work in his never muzzled his principles. During the Emergency, he refused to sing for the Congress party or endorse its schemes. When warned about the wrath of Sanjay Gandhi, the then Prime Minister's son, he dismissed it with a terse question: 'Woh kaun hai (Who is he)?' Despite a backlash that affected his earnings, Kishore did not story is a uniquely Indian tale—of a man whose voice united a nation in song and whose life reflected the complexities of navigating wealth in a rapidly changing country. His love of money was not just a quirk but a reflection of his times, where financial security was both a dream and a it all, Kishore sang on, his melodies rising above the chaos, reminding us that even in the face of trouble, there was always a song to be sung. Especially on the first of every Kishore, The Rock Star Who Was Rejected- EndsMust Watch

Tarot reader had warned Kishore Kumar about his death and it happened exactly as predicted
Tarot reader had warned Kishore Kumar about his death and it happened exactly as predicted

Economic Times

time2 hours ago

  • Economic Times

Tarot reader had warned Kishore Kumar about his death and it happened exactly as predicted

Synopsis Kishore Kumar, one of India's most iconic singers, appeared to have sensed his death before it happened. In interviews, his son Amit Kumar recalled how a tarot reader once predicted Kishore had only seven years left to live—an eerie forecast that came true. On the day he passed away in 1987, Kishore showed signs of unease and made unusual remarks to his family. Amit, who was abroad at the time, learned of his father's death through a phone call. Kishore Kumar Kishore Kumar passed away on October 13, 1987, leaving a void in Indian music that was felt across generations. His elder son, Amit Kumar, revealed in interviews with Radio Nasha and journalist Vickey Lalwani that the legendary singer had sensed something unusual in his final hours. Amit recalled that Kishore seemed particularly anxious about his son's return from Canada, asking repeatedly whether he would arrive in time. That very day, Kishore collapsed unexpectedly — and tragically, it wasn't one of his infamous pranks. His sudden death came exactly seven years after a tarot reader in Assam had told him he had only that much time left to live — a prediction Kishore had quietly carried with Kumar, who was in the US with actors Govinda and Asrani for a live tour, was unaware of the seriousness of his father's condition. He remembered receiving a morning call from filmmaker Shomu Mukherjee, followed by others, all hesitant to reveal the truth. It was finally producer-director Shakti Samanta who broke the news that Kishore had died. Amit shared that his colleagues offered quiet support, and actor Kulbhushan Kharbanda comforted him during the flight back to India. The grief was compounded by his father's prolonged illness and perhaps even Kishore's sadness over his son's troubled marriage. Kishore Kumar's life was often a mirror of contradictions — artistic brilliance entwined with eccentricity, restlessness mixed with intense emotionality. Filmmaker H.S. Rawail once said Kishore had a habit of either escaping situations or finding a simpler path forward. This reflected not just in his music but in his relationships, especially his marriages, which were often impulsive and first marriage to actor-singer Ruma Guha Thakurta was spontaneous. Kishore left for their wedding directly from the airport after a recording session. The marriage brought early career success, but eventually ended due to conflicting ambitions. Kishore reportedly buried the car he had bought during their marriage beneath his bungalow, wanting to forget its emotional marriage to Madhubala in 1960 was marked by both devotion and complexity. Madhubala, seriously ill with a congenital heart defect, married Kishore before leaving for medical treatment in London. Although rumours suggested that Kishore had converted to Islam for the wedding, these were denied by family and friends. Despite early efforts to be by her side — including altering his work schedule to be home for dinner with her — the emotional strain grew. Her sister, Madhur Bhushan, claimed that Kishore eventually distanced himself, leaving her at her family home under the care of a nurse. However, a biography by Aniruddha Bhattacharjee and Parthiv Dhar countered this narrative, stating that Kishore remained deeply involved and moved her to a different house for health Kumar was more than just a playback singer; he was an institution. Untrained in classical music, he still managed to record nearly 3,000 songs, act in numerous films, and collaborate with musical greats like R.D. Burman and S.D. Burman. His whimsical persona — often described as bordering on madness — was misunderstood. For instance, tales of him keeping skulls at home were later clarified by Amit as mere African souvenirs. Kishore had a fascination with African art and culture, not a penchant for his own way, Kishore Kumar always danced to his own rhythm. And on that final day, it seemed the performer had already heard his closing cue. His death, like his life, unfolded with drama, emotion, and a touch of mystery — befitting the genius who made unpredictability his trademark.

Boarding like a star: Inside the world of celebrity private charters
Boarding like a star: Inside the world of celebrity private charters

Time of India

time3 hours ago

  • Time of India

Boarding like a star: Inside the world of celebrity private charters

Diljit Dosanjh was seen relishing a spread of gourmet Indian food on a private jet, used during his Dil-Illuminati tour and Kareena Kapoor Khan took private charter for an award event. In 2009, Abhishek Bachchan broke a Guinness World Record by racing to five cities in twelve hours to promote Delhi-6. Years later, in 2016, Priyanka Chopra was juggling shoots for Bajirao Mastani (2015) in Mumbai and Quantico in Los Angeles. How do the A-list celebrities do it all? One answer: private charters. No long security queues. No baggage belts. No waiting for boarding announcements or getting mobbed at terminals. Just a curb-to-cabin glide that turns a 180-minute airport ordeal into a mere 15-minute pit stop. 'Post-pandemic, we've seen a significant surge in celebrity clientele, especially across India, the Middle East and Europe,' says Raaghav Belavadi, founder of private jet operator Hype Luxury. 'Celebrities are leveraging private jets for everything from spontaneous business trips and wellness escapes to quick weekend retreats,' he adds. Sachit Wadhwa, co-founder of Book My Charters, agrees. 'There was a time pre-COVID when one could count on fingers the celebrities that chartered… today, even younger actors, musicians, DJs and influencers fly private.' From bespoke biryani on board to Gulfstream G700s fitted with sleek aesthetics, the skies have never been more exclusive nor more crowded with famous names. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 11 Harry Potter Actors Who Grew Up Stunningly. The Noodle Box Read More Undo Here's a front-row seat to the rarefied world of celebrity air travel, where time, privacy, and personalisation rule the flight plan. Amitabh, Jaya and Abhishek Bachchan travelled together in a private jet when Big B was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award 'In a private jet, they can choose the travel time' Charter operators say private flights offer unmatched ease and privacy – 'you can take off and land whenever you want, there's no crowds. It's seamless, flexible and contactless travel." The only requirement? A minimum of three hours' notice. 'We at least need a 3‑hour heads up to arrange for the pilots, the crew, engineers and fueling the aircraft,' Maria explains. In Mumbai, general aviation (private charters) is unavailable during 8–10 am and 5–7:30 pm due to peak commercial traffic. Once aboard, celebrities avoid delays and distractions. 'The car is out and ready on the tarmac. The talent gets out of the jet, gets into the car, and the car is going to the hotel,' says Maria. Saved hours translate into productivity or rest. 'Celebs are using their time on board very productively. Even two hours saved adds up. They conduct meetings, read scripts, or just catch up on rest while flying,' adds Sachit Wadhwa of Book My Charters. There is a proper mirror and lav in the aircraft for the celebrities to get ready Maria Charles, Skyline Charters 'The pet also reaches comfortably' For vacations, celebrities often prefer to bring their pets, and with private charters, animals fly freely in the cabin, not locked away in cargo. 'There are some certifications that need to be done before getting the pet onboard. Usually, the pet is carried in a cage until it reaches the aircraft. Once the aircraft takes off, we release the pet and they can enjoy the flight,' shares Akash Nale of Flyyo. This shift reflects a global trend: flying pets in the cabin significantly reduces stress compared to cargo or cramped carriers under seats. All these jets can be customised with plush leather seats, lie-flat beds, bespoke lighting, entertainment systems, and custom monogramming 'Some want food from their favourite Delhi restaurant' "Food and beverage," says Sachit, "is a big part of the experience." Many celebrities — particularly on Delhi–Hyderabad routes — request signature dishes from favourite restaurants mid-air. One client, despite spending over Rs 50 lakh on a Delhi-Goa return flight, requested poha and Haldiram bhujia instead of a gourmet English breakfast - a surprising but welcome request, says Akash Nale of Flyyo. For early flights, the norm is plant-based or South Indian breakfasts, while lunch usually consists of light options like hummus or a tikka platter. Some are gluten-free, some want coffee from a specific café; on a Mumbai-Delhi run they'll ask us to serve food from their favourite restaurant for the return leg Sachit Wadhwa, BookMyCharters 'Staff bring the luggage early' When fans see paparazzi photos of Bollywood celebrities breezing through Mumbai's Kalina airport, they often wonder how stars manage to travel without luggage. "Staff bring the luggage hours earlier because screening takes time. The celebrity just walks through the terminal straight to the aircraft,' Sachit explains. Still, Maria adds, 'Security check is compulsory for everyone travelling, even at private terminals. ' The cost of flying private A round trip from Delhi to Mumbai and back onboard a Legacy 650 charter typically costs between Rs 15 lakh and Rs 30 lakh, the range depends on customisation, timing, and additional services involved. For events, shoots, or promotions, travel costs are often covered by production houses or event organisers. None of the Bollywood celebrities owns a private jet, confirms Maria and Sachit. All reports about A-list actors owning charter aircraft are false. There is only one South Indian celebrity who owns an aircraft. Ajay Devgn, during an interview with BookMyShow Unscripted, debunked the rumours of owning an aircraft, "No, not at all. I was planning to buy it and had secured one deal too. But it didn't go through. So, it is not true. ' (L) Priyanka Chopra with Nick Jonas' parents. (R) While promoting Selfiee Akshay Kumar entertained everyone in the private jet with his singing. 'Privacy & discretion define our business' Celebrities avoid commercial flights because they crave privacy away from the public glare. 'Bollywood is an area of interest for almost everyone… Everyone wants to see what a star is eating, how he behaves when the cameras are not rolling,' explains Sachit, adding, 'Privacy and being discreet are the most important aspects of our business. They need time to switch off. Our job is to provide that.' For celebs who fly private, discretion is built in. As Maria says, 'The crew is trained in a way that they will never ask for a selfie or autograph.' Some operators even require crew to sign NDAs. Raaghav adds, 'Each movement is orchestrated by operations teams in partnership with airport authorities and private security firms, ensuring zero exposure and complete peace of mind for our clients.' Private jet travel in India also means dedicated terminals – Kalina in Mumbai and the General Aviation terminal in Delhi – where celebrities can arrive just 10–15 minutes before departure. 'With these terminals, celebrity travel is more discreet,' says Sachit. Teams vet aircraft safety first Celebrity entourages also vet aircraft safety before flying. 'Even before the unfortunate Ahmedabad crash, people would enquire about the safety, 'When was the maintenance done…' Charter aircraft are regularly serviced and engineered, taken care of just like any commercial aircraft,' says Maria Charles of Skyline Charters. 'Of course, they ask about the safety, and we provide properly maintained aircraft. We have a maintenance agency, and they are taken care of.' Akash adds, 'There are certified engineers who do the necessary checks after every flight. If a minister is flying, the engineer has to be onboard for safety measures.' 'Celebs prefer first-class for flying international, take private jets for shorter hops' For long-haul international routes, especially US-bound, celebrities typically opt for first-class commercial flights, reserving private charters for domestic legs or short-haul travel. As Sachit Wadhwa of Book My Charters explains, 'If someone wants to travel from New York to Miami, they would use a charter plane because commercial flights often have luggage restrictions. So, we manage those travels too. ' Many operators offer seamless India–London service, often with a single refuel stop. 'We have aircraft that can fly non-stop from India to London and we even do trips to the USA with one stop. That stop is never more than 45 minutes. You just refuel, get fresh food on board, and then take off. Sometimes celebrities don't even realise there's a stop because they sleep through it. They stay onboard during refuelling,' adds Sachit.

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