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Time of India
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
How Raj Kapoor found his soulful voice in Mukesh and promised him a lifelong musical bond: 'It was love at first sight'
Raj Kapoor and Mukesh shared an extraordinary bond, with Mukesh's voice becoming synonymous with Kapoor's films. Mukesh's grandson, Sameer Udesh Sharma, highlighted their deep connection, noting Kapoor's insistence that Mukesh exclusively sing for him. Kapoor even introduced Mukesh to his Russian fans, clarifying that it was Mukesh's voice behind his iconic songs. Filmmaker-actor Raj Kapoor and singer Mukesh shared a deep bond that began in the 1940s and lasted well into their stardom. Sameer Udesh Sharma, Mukesh's grandson, revealed that their friendship was rare in Hindi cinema. Mukesh's voice became so synonymous with Raj Kapoor's songs that many thought Raj was singing himself. Kapoor even took Mukesh to Russia to introduce him to his fans there. On the YouTube channel Long Live Cinema, Sameer Udesh Sharma described the deep connection between Raj Kapoor and Mukesh as a form of love. He explained that whenever he hears Raj Kapoor's songs sung by Mukesh, the voices feel indistinguishable, as if Raj himself is singing. Even when other renowned singers like Rafi, Talat Aziz, or Manna Dey lent their voices to Raj Kapoor's films, it still felt like Mukesh was the true voice behind him. Interestingly, Raj Kapoor was a singer too, and their bond began early—Raj Kapoor famously said it was love at first sight when they first met, at a time when Mukesh was already an established singer and Raj was working as an assistant director. Sameer further shared how Raj Kapoor once took Mukesh to Russia to introduce him to his fans there. He explained that Mukesh, known for his movie-star looks, and Raj Kapoor had formed a close friendship early on. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No dark spots, 10 years younger! Just take this from Guardian URUHIME MOMOKO Learn More Undo Raj Kapoor had assured Mukesh that he would be the exclusive singer for his films, famously saying, 'Tu hi gaayega' (You will only sing for me). In Moscow, many people long believed that Raj Kapoor sang his own songs. It was only years later, during that visit, that Raj Kapoor publicly clarified it was Mukesh's voice behind the songs. Before establishing himself as a playback singer , Mukesh initially tried acting but struggled after his debut film Nirdosh failed at the box office. In a BBC Hindi interview, he revealed that during this uncertain period, he worked various jobs—including as a share broker and dry-fruit seller—since playback singing wasn't recognized as a profession until around 1942, when Debaki Bose began incorporating songs in Calcutta films. After his acting career stalled, Mukesh shifted his focus to singing, eventually gaining fame with the hit song 'Dil Jalta Hai Toh Jalne De. ' Mukesh's rise to fame began with his partnership with Raj Kapoor, starting with the film Aag (1948). Kapoor famously called Mukesh 'meri rooh' (my soul), highlighting their deep artistic bond. Mukesh went on to become the voice behind many of Kapoor's iconic films, including Barsaat (1949), Mera Naam Joker (1970), and several others, cementing their legendary collaboration in Indian cinema. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Indian Express
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Raj Kapoor said ‘it was love at first sight' when he first met singer Mukesh, promised him ‘tu hi gaayega' when he makes his first film
Filmmaker-actor Raj Kapoor and singer Mukesh had a strong bond when they started their career in the 1940s, and years after they became stars, the bond continued to flourish. Sameer Udesh Sharma, grandson of the late legendary singer Mukesh, recently opened up about his grandfather's deep bond with Raj Kapoor — a friendship rarely seen in the Hindi film industry. Sameer shared that Mukesh lent his voice to so many of Raj Kapoor's songs that people often mistook it for Raj singing himself. In fact, Kapoor actually travelled with Mukesh to Russia so he could introduce him to his fans in USSR. Speaking on the YouTube channel Long Live Cinema, Sameer said, 'Their relationship was like love. Till today, when I see Raj Kapoor singing, my grandfather singing for him, I feel like it is him only — I don't see the difference. Even if other singers like Rafi, Talat Aziz, or Manna Dey sang for Raj Kapoor, it would feel like Mukesh is only singing for Raj Kapoor. The interesting part is Raj Kapoor was a singer himself. So, Raj Kapoor had said that it was love at first sight for him and Mukesh when they first met — this was when Mukesh had already established himself as a singer and Raj Kapoor was working as an Assistant Director.' Sharing how Raj Kapoor once took Mukesh to Russia to introduce him to his fans, Sameer said, 'My grandfather was a movie-star looker, and Raj Kapoor had told my grandfather to sing for him whenever he would make a film. They became friends. Raj Kapoor said, 'Tu hi gaayega (You will only sing for me).' In Moscow, Russia, people for the longest time thought that Raj Kapoor sang his own songs. Many years later, Raj Kapoor took Mukesh to Russia and told people that it wasn't him but Mukesh singing all his songs.' Before becoming a playback singer, Mukesh had tried his hand at acting but found himself out of work after his debut film Nirdosh flopped. 'After this, I became a share broker, a dry-fruit seller, and did one thing after another as playback singing as a profession did not exist until 1942, when Debaki Bose began singing in Calcutta,' Mukesh had said in an interview with BBC Hindi. However, after his acting career failed to take off, Mukesh focused on singing, and his song 'Dil Jalta Hai Toh Jalne De' became a massive hit. He rose to fame after partnering with Raj Kapoor, beginning with Aag (1948). Kapoor famously declared, 'Mukesh meri rooh hai!' (Mukesh is my soul!). Mukesh went on to lend his voice to iconic Kapoor films such as Barsaat (1949), Mera Naam Joker (1970), and many more.
