Why Delhi was like second home for Raj Kapoor

From Prithviraj Kapoor's political career to Raj Kapoor's cinematic triumphs and the family's enduring presence in the city, Delhi has witnessed firsthand the Kapoor clan's influence and impact

As the fans of Raj Kapoor are gearing up to celebrate the birth centenary of Bollywood‘s first and only showman, Raj Kapoor after a couple of months on December 14th, it is important to talk about his deep connections with Delhi. Well, Delhi was like his second home. He always used to visit Delhi during the premier of RK Banner films. Come December 14th, a big programme in the memory of Raj Kapoor will be held in the national capital.

Raj Kapoor also passed away here on June 2, 1988. Just a few days earlier, on May 2nd, 1988, he was awarded the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award by then President R. Venkataraman at Siri Fort auditorium. Sadly, his health took a turn for the worse shortly after. He was experiencing severe breathing difficulties and was rushed to AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences). Doctors, led by Dr. JN Pandey, did everything they could to save him, but his condition did not improve. His death was attributed to complications from his asthma. He passed away in Delhi, a city he held close to his heart.

“Raj Kapoor always wished for his films to be released at Regal or Moti picture halls. Regal was perhaps the first cinema hall of New Delhi and had a special place in Raj Kapoor's heart. His iconic films like Sangam, Mera Naam Joker, Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Boot Polish, and Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai were all released at Regal and Moti. Most of RK banner films have done great business in the capital,” says Pt JP Sharma ‘Trikha’, author, astrologer and close family friend of Raj Kapoor family.

Even his father, Prithviraj Kapoor, had acted in plays at Regal. In its early days, Regal showcased both English and Hindi productions. Sadly, Regal closed its doors in 2017. Moti shut liitle later.

For Shashi Kapoor, visiting Regal brings back a crowd of memories of his elder brother, Raj Kapoor. He had visited the iconic Connaught Place theatre with Raj Kapoor a couple of times. RK Banner film Satyam Shivam Sundram did brisk business here at Regal.

‘Ab Dilli Door Nahin’

Perhaps Raj Kapoor’s tryst with Delhi was started when he produced the film ‘Ab Dilli Door Nahin’ in 1957. The Screenplay of the film was written by the renowned author Rajendra Singh Bedi. The film had actor Motilal, a close relative of singer Mukesh. Both hailed from Nai Sarak. The film also featured a young Amjad Khan, who later gained immense popularity as Gabbar Singh. ‘Ab Dilli Door Nahin’ featured scenes of Delhi, including the old iron bridge over the Yamuna, Daryaganj, and Connaught Place.

A Deep Delhi ties

“Raj Kapoor's relationship with Delhi deepened in 1970, when his eldest daughter, Ritu, married Rajan Nanda, son of H.P. Nanda, the founder chairman of the Escorts Group. The Nanda family had migrated to Delhi from Lahore after India's independence. They owned a prominent transport company in Lahore called Nanda Transport. After Ritu moved to Delhi, Raj Kapoor would frequently visit her home in Jor Bagh whenever he was in the city,” recalls Pandit JP Sharma ‘Trikha’. Rajan Nanda later became Amitabh Bachchan's father-in-law when his son, Nikhil Nanda, married Shweta Bachchan. Today, Nikhil Nanda is the chairman of the Escorts Group. Rajan Nanda’s father, H.S. Nanda, was the founder of Escorts Hospital. It may be recalled that Raj Kapoor’s second son, Rishi Kapoor married to Delhi born Neetu Singh. Neetu Singh’s mother, Rajee Singh, was a teacher in Happy School, Darya Ganj.

Prithviraj Kapoor's Delhi Days

Even the traffic noise from India Gate can be heard within Princes Park. A few elderly residents still remember when Prithviraj Kapoor lived in one of the flats there. This was during the time he was a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha (1952-1960). It is believed that Prithviraj Kapoor accepted the position of Member of Parliament at the request of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who sought his advice on matters of art and culture. They would often discuss the role of art and culture in the newly independent nation.Prithviraj Kapoor is credited with suggesting to Nehru the establishment of a prestigious National School of Drama (NDA) in 1959. “ Prithviraj Kapoor would often stay in Delhi during Parliament sessions. He would return to Mumbai afterwards to complete his film shoots. Before becoming an MP, he had staged numerous plays with his theatre group at Regal.

Prithviraj Kapoor's term as a Rajya Sabha member concluded on April 2nd, 1960. Shortly after, "Mughal-e-Azam" was released. He visited the Golcha cinema hall in Daryaganj to watch his film and gauge the audience response. He was pleased with the reception of his role.

Kapoor clan daughters in Delhi

After Ritu Kapoor, Karishma Kapoor, Raj Kapoor's granddaughter and daughter of Randhir Kapoor, got married in the capital. Sanjay Kapur, husband of Karishma, belongs to a very wealthy and well-known family of the capital. “Sanjay’s family owns Pindi Jewellers in Connaught Place. However, the marriage of Karishma and Sanjay was short-lived. I had lurking fears that the marriage of Karishma with Sanjay would not last long. After deeply studying the horoscopes of both, I had told some members of the Kapoor family that they (Sanjay and Karishma) would split. In the end, I proved right,”says Pandit JP Sharma ‘Trikha’. Sanjay’s father, Dr. Surinder Kapoor, was also an industrialist. Dr Surinder Kapur died in Germany in 2015. Dr Kapur was brother in law of Apollo Tyres Chairman, Onkar Singh Kanwar.

Meanwhile, another Raj Kapoor's granddaughter, Riddhima Kapoor married Bharat Sahni, a businessman from South Delhi. Riddhima is the daughter of Rishi Kapoor. Shashi Kapoor's daughter, Sanjana Kapoor, married author and wildlife expert Valmik Thapar. They reside in Malcha Marg in the capital. Valmik's aunt is renowned historian Dr. Romila Thapar.

When Shami Kapoor owned Plaza

While Raj Kapoor is associated with Regal closely, his younger brother Shami Kapoor had a different connection with Plaza, another cinema hall in Connaught Place. Shammi Kapoor was a partner in Plaza Cinema in the mid-1960s, along with film producer F.C. Mehra. “ Shammi Kapoor sold his stake in later years. Shami Kapoor is possibly the only member of the Kapoor clan to have a stake in a picture hall, ” informs Dr. Ravinder Kumar, another film buff.

Shashi Kapoor's ‘Householder’ and Daryaganj

Raj Kapoor always considered Shashi Kapoor as his son more than his brother. One of Shashi’s early films, "Householder," was primarily shot in a large house near Times House in Daryaganj. The house belonged to Jaidev Trivedi, a prominent theatre artist in the capital, and a popular Hindi newsreader for All India Radio. Jaoidev Trivedi once mentioned that Prithviraj Kapoor had visited his house with Shashi Kapoor. "Householder" was directed by James Ivory and produced by Ismail Merchant. Dr. Mihir Pandya, in his excellent book "Cinema aur Shahar vaya Delhi (Cinema and City via Delhi)," notes that "Householder," written by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala. It features two iconic Delhi landmarks – Jantar Mantar and Jama Masjid, significant scenes.

Apart from "Householder," Shashi Kapoor can be seen driving a Fiat car on the streets of capital in "New Delhi Times" released in 1986.

Well, Raj Kapoor family's connection with Delhi is deeply rooted, and it continues to be a place where their memories are cherished and celebrated. Their impact on the cultural fabric of the city, from the stage to the screen, remains significant even today.

(The author is Delhi-based senior journalist and writer. He is author of Gandhi's Delhi which has brought to the forth many hidden facts about Mahatma Gandhi)