The Kapoor Family’s Love Affair With New Delhi

As the city gears up to celebrate Raj Kapoor’s centenary, the Kapoor legacy continues to resonate, blending memories of timeless cinema, historic landmarks, and enduring family connections with Delhi’s vibrant cultural fabric

For Dr JP Sharma ‘Trikha’, well-known author and Vaastu expert, passing from Regal theatre at Connaught Place in capital bring back memories of yesteryears when used to watch films made by Raj Kapoor like Ram Teri Ganga Meli, Sri 420, Boot Polish, Awaara and many more with his parents.

Raj Kapoor always preferred his films to open at Regal or Moti picture halls. Regal held a special place in his heart. Many of his most beloved classics, including Sangam, Mera Naam Joker, Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Boot Polish, and Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai, premiered at Regal and Moti, enjoying significant box-office success. Sadly, Regal shuttered its doors in 2017, followed by Moti a little later.

As film historian Dr Manish Chaudhary of Daulat Ram college points out, “He (Raj Kapoor) considered Delhi his second home. This affection stemmed not only from the fact that his eldest daughter, Ritu Kapoor Nanda, was married here, but also from his frequent visits for the premieres of his RK Banner films.”

Tragically, Delhi also became the city where Raj Kapoor breathed his last in 1988. Just days before his demise, he received the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award from then President R Venkataraman at the Siri Fort Auditorium. His health took a sudden downturn soon after. Grappling with severe breathing difficulties, he was rushed to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). Despite the best efforts of doctors, led by Dr JN Pandey, he succumbed to complications from his asthma. Raj Kapoor’s death in Delhi added a bittersweet layer to his relationship with the city. Raj Kapoor's connection with Delhi arguably began when he produced ‘Ab Dilli Door Nahin’ in 1957. Penned by renowned author Rajendra Singh Bedi, this film featured actor Motilal, a relative of singer Mukesh, both of whom hailed from Nai Sarak. Interestingly, a young Amjad Khan, later famous as Gabbar Singh, also appeared in the movie. ‘Ab Dilli Door Nahin’ captured glimpses of Delhi, showcasing iconic locations like the old iron bridge over the Yamuna, Daryaganj, and Connaught Place.

The ties between Raj Kapoor and Delhi deepened further when his daughter, Ritu, married Rajan Nanda of the Escorts Group in 1970. The Nanda family, originally from Lahore, had established a transport company before relocating to Delhi post-independence. Raj Kapoor became a frequent visitor to Ritu's Jor Bagh home. Dr Trikha, who knows the Raj Kapoor family, says Rajan Nanda’s family would later be linked to the Bachchans when his son, Nikhil Nanda, married Shweta Bachchan. Today, Nikhil heads the Escorts Group. Moreover, Rajan Nanda’s father, HS Nanda, also founded the Escorts Hospital, further intertwining the two families and their legacies with the city.

Even before Raj Kapoor, Prithviraj Kapoor had a significant presence in Delhi. He resided in Princes Park during his term as a nominated Rajya Sabha member (1952-1960). Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, seeking his advice on art and culture, had reportedly requested him to take the position. Their discussions on the role of art in the newly independent nation were crucial, and Prithviraj Kapoor is credited with suggesting the establishment of the prestigious National School of Drama (NSD) in 1959. Avid film buff Dr JP Sharma ‘Trikha’ says that Prithviraj Kapoor often resided in Delhi during Parliament sessions, returning to Mumbai to complete his film commitments. Prior to his political role, he also staged numerous plays with his theatre group at Regal. Following the end of his term, Prithviraj Kapoor visited the Golcha cinema in Daryaganj to personally witness the audience reception of his magnum opus, Mughal-e-Azam, which he was delighted with.

The Kapoor family's connection with Delhi continued through subsequent generations. Karishma Kapoor, Raj Kapoor’s granddaughter, also married into a prominent Delhi family. Her husband, Sanjay Kapur, was part of the Pindi Jewellers family in Connaught Place. Although that marriage was short-lived, it further solidified the Kapoor family's connections to the city. Similarly, another granddaughter, Riddhima Kapoor, wed Bharat Sahni, a businessman from South Delhi. Shashi Kapoor’s daughter, Sanjana Kapoor, married author and wildlife expert Valmiki Thapar, with the couple now residing in Delhi on Malcha Marg. His aunt is the famous historian, Dr Romila Thapar.

While Raj Kapoor was strongly associated with Regal, his brother Shammi Kapoor had his own cinematic connection with Delhi – Plaza cinema. He was a partner in Plaza in the mid-1960s alongside film producer FC Mehra. Shammi Kapoor was perhaps the only member of the Kapoor clan to have owned a stake in a cinema hall.

Shashi Kapoor also found himself intertwined with Delhi through his work. One of his early films, ‘Householder,’ was filmed primarily in a large house near Times House in Daryaganj owned by Jaidev Trivedi, a prominent theatre artist and Hindi newsreader. Trivedi recounted that Prithviraj Kapoor visited the house with Shashi Kapoor. Directed by James Ivory and produced by Ismail Merchant, ‘Householder,’ which was written by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, also featured iconic Delhi landmarks like Jantar Mantar and Jama Masjid. In a later film, New Delhi Times (1986), Shashi Kapoor can be seen driving through the streets of the capital.

The Kapoor family's relationship with Delhi is deep-rooted and continues to be a place where their memories are cherished and celebrated. Their impact on the cultural landscape of the city, from theatre to cinema, resonates profoundly, even today. The upcoming centenary celebration of Raj Kapoor is a perfect opportunity to remember their rich legacy.

(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)