The Contradictory World of Raj Kapoor
Raj Kapoor stood as a towering figure in Indian cinema. People called him 'The Showman' for good reason. His approval meant everything to filmmakers of that era. Earning praise from Kapoor represented the highest honor in the industry.
Vijay Anand's Moment of Recognition
Vijay Anand, known affectionately as Goldie Anand, finally received this coveted recognition. He was Dev Anand's younger brother and a talented director in his own right. Raj Kapoor did appreciate his work, but their personal interactions told a different story.
Dev Anand's close friend Mohan Churiwala recently shared revealing details. He recounted a story Vijay Anand himself told him. "Goldie sahab shared this story with me," Churiwala said. "He explained that for ordinary people outside the film industry, Raj Kapoor seemed like God. However, when dealing with fellow filmmakers, Kapoor often showed signs of insecurity."
The Midnight Call About 'Guide'
The incident began shortly after the release of 'Guide.' One night around 2 am, Raj Kapoor called Dev Anand's residence. He insisted on speaking to Dev Anand immediately. When a house helper answered, Kapoor threatened to visit in person if they didn't connect the call.
An irritated Dev Anand eventually picked up the phone. Raj Kapoor demanded to watch 'Guide' right away. Dev Anand suggested sending the film print the next morning. Kapoor refused to wait. Apparently drunk, he persisted until Dev Anand agreed and went back to sleep.
Fifteen minutes later, another call came. Raj Kapoor wanted to know if the print had been sent yet. Realizing Kapoor was serious, Dev Anand arranged delivery to RK Studios immediately.
Emotional Praise in Private
Around 6 am, Raj Kapoor called Dev Anand again. He had finished watching 'Guide.' Kapoor praised both the film and Vijay Anand's direction. He told Dev Anand, "You are so lucky to have such a talented brother." According to accounts, Kapoor was crying during this phone conversation.
Dev Anand's initial annoyance faded quickly. He understood the significance of Raj Kapoor praising a film. For any filmmaker or producer, this meant achieving something truly special.
The Public Snub That Followed
Soon after, at a social gathering, Dev Anand proudly asked Vijay to greet Raj Kapoor personally. To everyone's surprise, Kapoor acted as if he didn't recognize Vijay Anand. When Vijay introduced himself, Kapoor asked casual questions. "What have you been doing? How far has your education come?"
Vijay replied that he was making films and had recently directed 'Guide.' He reminded Kapoor that the print had already been sent to him. Raj Kapoor brushed this off casually. "Oh, okay. I'll watch it and let you know," he said. This interaction left Vijay Anand deeply embarrassed.
Dev Anand later tried to minimize the incident. He suggested Raj Kapoor might simply have been in a different mood that day.
Contradictory Behavior Continues
The awkward behavior didn't stop there. Around the same time, Dev Anand's sister Boney Anand attended a puja at Raj Kapoor's home. There, Kapoor praised Vijay Anand extensively. He spoke at length about his talent and achievements.
Excited by this praise, Boney told Vijay about it immediately. She suggested they visit Raj Kapoor for dinner that same evening. Vijay hesitated but eventually agreed.
The dinner meeting ended in disappointment once again. Raj Kapoor reportedly repeated the same questions. "What have you been doing lately? Where are you studying?" He acted as though they had never met before, despite their previous interactions and his private praise for 'Guide.'
This story reveals the complex dynamics of Bollywood's golden era. Even giants like Raj Kapoor showed human insecurities. The contrast between private admiration and public recognition created lasting memories for those involved.
