Rajiv Kapoor couldn't believe it when his father Raj Kapoor offered him Ram Teri Ganga Maili: ‘Are you joking?'
Rajiv Kapoor, the youngest son of legendary filmmaker Raj Kapoor, unfortunately didn't manage to make as big an impact in Indian cinema as his father or his illustrious brothers. Yet, he remains widely remembered and loved for his role in Ram Teri Ganga Maili, a film directed by his father that went on to become a massive blockbuster. In a old interview with Lehren Retro, Rajiv candidly spoke about how surprised he was when his father chose him as the lead actor in the film.
He recalled, 'I had only prayed that I get the chance to become Raj Kapoor sahab's assistant. I was his son, of course, but he was also my guru, and 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.'
Rajiv Kapoor further revealed that his father had always wanted him to be independent and make a mark on his own. 'He always wanted me to work as an actor for the first time on my own… to do something independently like he had done. He believed, 'Why should I start something for you… you do it yourself.'' Despite this encouragement for independence, Rajiv admitted that during the making of Prem Rog, he became so enamoured by his father's direction that he secretly hoped to act under him someday.
Also Read | Rajiv Kapoor was addicted to alcohol, Khushbu Sundar says everyone was very worried for him: 'We spoke a day before his death'
'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 in his mind. Then, around 6–7 months later, 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 work? Just tell me when to start.' And that's what happened – when he asked for my dates, I gave him all of them and cancelled everything else.'
Ram Teri Ganga Maili wasn't just a huge commercial success, it became one of the top three highest-grossing films of 1980s Bollywood. It also holds the distinction of being the last movie directed by Raj Kapoor before his passing.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Happy Birthday Jubin Nautiyal: These 5 Songs Still Give Us Goosebumps
Last Updated: Happy Birthday Jubin Nautiyal: Raataan Lambiyan to The Humma Song, here's a look at his memorable tracks. Happy Birthday Jubin Nautiyal: One of the most popular singers in the Indian music industry, Jubin Nautiyal celebrates his 36th birthday today. Jubin has carved a niche for himself in the music industry with his distinctive style and melodious voice. He gained widespread recognition for the songs Raataan Lambiyan from Shershaah, Zindagi Kuch Toh Bata from Bajrangi Bhaijaan and The Humma Song from OK Jaanu. As he celebrates his birthday today, let's take a closer look at his memorable and latest songs as a singer. Jubin Nautiyal's Top Songs Raataan Lambiyan: Talking about Jubin Nautiyal's memorable tracks, the list should definitely begin with this melodious track from Shershaah. Featuring Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani, the song beautifully captures the longing and yearning of two lovers separated by distance and circumstances. The song conveys the emotions of love, loss, and sacrifice through its poignant lyrics and soothing melody. The Humma Song: The track from OK Jaanu is a vibrant and energetic track that blends romantic and carefree vibes. The song, filmed on Aditya Roy Kapur and Shraddha Kapoor, has catchy beats and Jubin's soulful vocals. It perfectly captures the essence of a blossoming relationship. Tum Hi Aana: The romantic and melancholic song from Marjaavaan featured Sidharth Malhotra and Tara Sutaria. Sung by Jubin Nautiyal and Payal Dev, the track conveys the longing for a loved one's return and evokes deep emotions of love, separation, and yearning. Akh Lad Jaave: Sung by Badshah, Jubin Nautiyal, Asees Kaur, Tanishk Bagchi, the track is from the film Loveyatri (2018), and features Aayush Sharma and Warina Hussain. The upbeat song blends folk and modern elements of music with catchy beats and lively vocals. Zindagi Kuch Toh Bata: The song from Bajrangi Bhaijaan is a poignant and emotive track that explores themes of longing and separation, with lyrics that tenderly convey the ache of being apart from loved ones. First Published: June 14, 2025, 07:20 IST
India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
Ranbir Kapoor's Ramayana's confirmed cast: Yash, Sai Pallavi, Sunny Deol to Amitabh Bachchan, 18 big stars to play these roles
Nitesh Tiwari's ambitious adaptation of the Ramayana has unveiled an exceptional cast, generating immense excitement among fans. With Ranbir Kapoor taking on the iconic role of Lord Ram and Sai Pallavi embodying the elegant Sita, the film promises to deliver a grand cinematic interpretation of this timeless epic. The Ramayana is expected to become one of the most highly anticipated films in the history of Indian cinema. Here's a look at the full cast and what viewers can expect. Highly Anticipated Project Ranbir Kapoor will portray Lord Ram in Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana, who is known for his impressive acting talent, he is expected to bring both serenity and depth to the character. Sai Pallavi will play Sita, marking her notable debut into Bollywood. Her graceful and authentic style makes her an ideal choice for the role, and fans are eager to see this new pairing bring the epic love story of Ram and Sita to the screen. A Star-Studded Star-Cast Including… The mythological film features an outstanding ensemble cast with lead actors, Rocking Star Yash, taking on the formidable role of Ravana, while Sunny Deol embodies Hanuman, adding strength and intensity to the character. Ravi Dubey is cast as Lakshman, and Lara Dutta portrays the intricate character of Kaikeyi. As per Rakul Preet Singh will be seen as Shurpanakha, with Kajal Aggarwal playing Mandodari. Amitabh Bachchan adds gravitas as Jatayu and Anil Kapoor is rumored to play King Janak. Mohit Raina takes on the role of Lord Shiva, while Vikrant Massey plays Meghnad. Kunal Kapoor will portray Lord Indra, and Vivek Oberoi is set to appear as Vidyutjihva. The legendary Arun Govil will step into role of King Dasharath, with Adinath Kothare as Bharat. Additionally, Ramya Krishnan and Sheeba Chaddha are rumored to play Kaushalya and Sumitra, respectively and Bobby Deol is speculated to portray Kumbhakaran. More About Ramayana The film will be released in two parts, with Part 1 slated for theatrical launch on Diwali 2026, specifically November 8, 2026. The follow-up, Part 2, is expected to be released during Diwali 2027. In addition to a cast full of stars, this movie features skilled professionals, such as co-director Ravi Udyawar and writer Shridhar Raghavan. Pankaj Kumar manages the cinematography, and the VFX is led by Namit Malhotra's DNEG. Created by Madhu Mantena, Allu Aravind, Namit Malhotra, and Yash, with an impressive budget of Rs 835 crore, encompassing both segments.
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Indian woman stuns US DJ with Kay Sera Sera request: ‘Never underestimate a brown girl's Bollywood song request'
Bollywood songs are renowned worldwide for their vibrant beats, colourful energy, and catchy lyrics. Their charm has reached audiences far beyond India, making them popular in places where Hindi may not even be understood. Recently, a US DJ was caught off guard when an Indian woman asked him to play the Bollywood classic 'Kay Sera Sera.' He hadn't expected the song request, but smiled and played it anyway. What followed was a moment that quickly caught people's attention- and later went viral on social media. The woman's request brought a fresh vibe to the scene. The DJ himself shared a video of his reaction to 'Kay Sera Sera' on Instagram. A post shared by Arlin Moore (@arlin) The DJ's reaction to the song quickly went viral. The video has garnered 2.9 million views. The video didn't just go viral- it got people talking. Instagram users from different parts of the world shared their thoughts, with many praising the Indian woman's confidence and the DJ's surprised yet cheerful reaction. However, some people felt it wasn't right to disturb the DJ's flow or change the vibe of his set. Still, the video sparked a lively debate. One of the users, commented, 'Never underestimate a brown girl's Bollywood song request!!' A second user, real_aditi_sharma, with a hint of sarcasm commented, 'Moral of the story… when an Indian girl asks you to do something… Just do it.' Another user, they_see_me_rolin_they_hatin, commented, 'I hate this kind of audience. He is a house tech DJ, not a random Bollywood or bolly-tech DJ. It's like asking a classical dancer to do hip-hop.' The video of the DJ's reaction to the unexpected Bollywood request continued to gain attention online. With mixed reactions and millions of views, the moment has now sparked buzz across social media.
