Raj Kapoor's Drunk Midnight Demand for Guide Film
Raj Kapoor, celebrated as a giant of Indian cinema, once made a bizarre late-night call to fellow legend Dev Anand. According to recent recollections, this incident highlighted Kapoor's reported insecurity towards other filmmakers. The story comes from Mohan Churiwala, a close friend of Dev Anand, who shared details from Vijay Anand, Dev's younger brother and director of the classic film Guide.
The 2 AM Phone Call and Emotional Praise
Soon after the release of Guide, Dev Anand received a phone call at around 2 am. Raj Kapoor was on the line, insisting on speaking to Dev immediately. Kapoor threatened to come over if the call wasn't connected. Initially annoyed, Dev Anand picked up the phone. Raj Kapoor, reportedly intoxicated, demanded to watch Guide right away.
Dev Anand offered to send the film print the next morning, but Kapoor refused. He wanted it immediately. Dev Anand agreed and went back to sleep. Fifteen minutes later, Kapoor called again to check if the print had been dispatched. Understanding the urgency, Dev Anand arranged for the print to be sent to RK Studios.
At around 6 am, after finishing the film, Raj Kapoor called Dev Anand once more. He praised Guide extensively and even cried on the phone. Kapoor told Dev Anand, "You are so lucky to have such a talented brother." This praise made Dev Anand feel better, as approval from Raj Kapoor was a significant achievement in the film industry.
The Shocking Snub and Repeated Denial
Later, at a social gathering, Dev Anand sent Vijay Anand to greet Raj Kapoor, expecting a warm acknowledgment. To Vijay's shock, Kapoor pretended not to recognize him. After Vijay introduced himself as the director of Guide, Kapoor casually asked, "What have you been doing? How far has your education come?" He feigned ignorance about the film, saying he would watch it later.
This moment embarrassed Vijay Anand deeply. Dev Anand tried to dismiss it, suggesting Kapoor might have been in a different mood. However, the awkwardness didn't end there. When Dev Anand's sister, Boney Anand, visited Raj Kapoor's house for a puja, Kapoor again praised Vijay Anand highly in front of her.
Excited, Boney relayed the praise to Vijay and insisted they visit Kapoor's house for dinner that night. Hesitantly, Vijay agreed, hoping for recognition. But history repeated itself. Upon meeting, Raj Kapoor asked the same questions—"What have you been doing lately? Where are you studying?"—as if they had never met before. This repeated snub left both siblings speechless, and the incident was never discussed again.
Legacy of Guide and Industry Impact
Despite the personal slight, Guide went on to become a landmark in Indian cinema. The Hindi adaptation succeeded where the English version failed. At the 14th Filmfare Awards, it won four major honors: Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Actress, after receiving nine nominations. In 2007, nearly 42 years after its release, Guide was screened at the Cannes Film Festival, cementing its legacy as one of India's finest films.
Vijay Anand believed Raj Kapoor's behavior stemmed from insecurity towards fellow filmmakers. This incident, shared by close associates, adds a curious chapter to the stories of Bollywood's golden era, revealing the complex dynamics behind the scenes.
