Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor Reflects on Raj Kapoor's Legacy, Alia Bhatt, and Career at IFFI 2024

Photo : ANI

At the event, Ranbir talked about how he wants to restore 10 films made by his grandfather, Raj Kapoor, to honor the Kapoor family's big impact on Indian cinema. He explained that when he first met Alia, she didn’t know who Kishore Kumar was, which made him think about how new films can sometimes make us forget the older films. Ranbir said it’s essential to remember the past and the great work done by filmmakers before them.

Ranbir also shared some special memories of his grandfather, Raj Kapoor, considered one of the best filmmakers in Bollywood. He said that when he was a child, Raj Kapoor was always kind to him and loved to spend time with his grandchildren. Ranbir remembered how his grandfather would hide caramel toffees in the fridge and make all the kids sing a song before they could get one. He also shared how he didn’t fully understand his grandfather’s fame until he saw the huge crowd outside their house when Raj Kapoor passed away.

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When asked about his grandfather’s films, Ranbir explained that Raj Kapoor’s movies often talked about important social issues. For example, in Awara, he examined how class and family background affect a person’s life. In Shree 420, Raj Kapoor explored problems like greed and poverty. Another film, Prem Rog, dealt with the topic of widow remarriage and the challenges women face in society. Ranbir admired his grandfather’s courage to take risks, like when Raj Kapoor even mortgaged his house to make the hit movie Bobby, which became very popular with young people.

Ranbir also talked about how Raj Kapoor’s movies influenced him as an actor. He mentioned that two films, Shree 420 and Jaagte Raho, had a big impact on him. While Shree 420 was about a man struggling with fame and trying to stay true to himself, Jaagte Raho, a movie that Raj Kapoor produced and acted in, was very popular around the world. Ranbir said that Jaagte Raho deserved more recognition and felt as important as any film he studied in film school.

Even though Ranbir has thought about directing films, he said acting came to him more naturally. He admitted that he isn’t ready to direct yet, even though his grandfather made his first film at the age of 24. Ranbir believes a director should have a strong story to tell before making a film.

Music played a huge role in Raj Kapoor’s films, and Ranbir said that the music in those movies was one of the main reasons they were so loved. Raj Kapoor worked with famous music composers like Shankar-Jaikishan and lyricist Shailendra. Ranbir also talked about how music in today’s Bollywood films has changed. He said that older films had music with more meaning, while today’s songs are often more about being catchy. He hopes that Indian cinema can go back to the kind of music that made films special in the past.

Raj Kapoor’s films were loved all over the world, especially in places like Russia, where people didn’t even speak Hindi but still loved his movies. Ranbir shared that when he was in New York, he met Russian taxi drivers who knew about Raj Kapoor and even gave him free rides. He also remembered how Raj Kapoor’s name would come up in film school, showing how his work had an impact beyond India.

Ranbir was also asked about a quote from actor Anupam Kher, who said, “If you can lie, you can act.” Ranbir disagreed with this idea. He believes that acting is about being honest and real, not pretending or lying. For Ranbir, good acting means showing the truth, and that’s what makes it different from telling lies.

Ranbir shared a funny memory of his grandfather, Raj Kapoor. He remembered how, even in the middle of a busy party, Raj Kapoor rushed to help him when he got hurt by red ants. Ranbir said that moments like these are ones he will always remember.

When asked if he was more influenced by Raj Kapoor as an actor or a director, Ranbir said he admired both. However, it was Raj Kapoor’s films as a director that had the biggest effect on him. Raj Kapoor’s ability to tell stories that people all over the world could relate to made him one of the greatest directors in Indian cinema.

Finally, when Ranbir was asked which of his performances he would show to Raj Kapoor, he said he would choose Barfi. He said that he was proud of that film and felt it was the kind of movie Raj Kapoor would have liked. Ranbir also shared how his father, Rishi Kapoor, didn’t always understand his film choices, but over time, he learned to appreciate them.

Ranbir finished by advising young actors. He told them to find their style and not try to copy others. He also shared some advice he got from actor Aamir Khan: “Pack a bag, buy a train ticket, and travel across India.” He believes that traveling and meeting people from different places can help an actor improve their skills.