Wednesday, 18 December 2024
Wednesday, 18 December 2024
Bollywood’s Kapoor family united over food, anecdotes and hearty laughter to mark the 100th birth anniversary of the late actor Raj Kapoor, with the showman’s favourite “Chembur ka khana” and timeless melodies from his blockbusters setting the tone for the grand celebrations.
Speaking to The Telegraph Online, Raj Kapoor's granddaughter Riddhima Kapoor Sahni revealed that the entire Kapoor family worked together to pull off the centenary celebration. “It was a collective idea where the entire family wanted to celebrate him, and the new generation to know him. We just wanted his name to live on, and hence it was a collective effort put forward by the family. We planned for this event for quite some time.”
The Kapoor family made sure the day was about cherishing memories and paying tribute to Raj Kapoor. “We worked hard to ensure everyone who worked with our grandfather, along with their families, was invited. People who my grandmother knew were also called. Even the little details mattered to us, and though getting the guest list ready was a challenge, it was all worth it as the event went off very well,” she said.
Raj Kapoor, lovingly remembered as the greatest showman of Indian cinema, was a filmmaker-actor-visionary known for making movies that showcased the realities of Indian society, its dreams, and its struggles during a transformative era. His charm, talent, and dedication shaped the foundation of Indian cinema.
To celebrate his 100th birth anniversary, a grand film festival, Raj Kapoor at 100, was organised, where some of Kapoor's timeless classics like Bobby, Shree 420, and Sangam were screened. The festival, initially scheduled to conclude on December 15, has now been extended till December 19.
“Jab family ki baat aati hai, tab na, no matter who is busy, wherever we all come together. There were different screenings in different halls, popcorn was served, and at night we brought our family together and cut a cake to remember him. My bua hosted this celebration and even prepared Chembur ka khana, some of my granddad’s favorite dishes. His old songs played in the background, and it was beautiful,” she added.
Ridhima joined her family to invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the centenary celebrations. She recalled discussing food and yoga with the PM during their brief meeting in Delhi.
A particularly memorable moment, Ridhima said, was when the entire Kapoor family gathered for a picture. “I think the most memorable moment of the day was when our whole family was together for the picture, where only my one cousin Armaan was missing as he was struck in the traffic. We were not even fitting in one frame and in the video the entire family was captured. It was very rare and very beautiful that the whole family was together posing for a photo. We missed our family members who have passed on and are not with us, we miss them even today”
Ridhima, a popular internet personality and actor Ranbir Kapoor’s sister, also spoke about the Kapoor family’s deep love for food. “When the entire Kapoor family meets, we talk about food. Matlab agar hum dinner pei milte hai toh hum decide karte hai ki kal subah breakfast pai kya khaye or agar lunch main milte hai toh decide karte hai ki dinner main kya khaye. Our entire family is very passionate about food and apart from that we speak about our family members who are no longer with us. If they were here they would have said this and that and so on.”
“I miss my dad (Rishi Kapoor) every single day and each time the family comes together. My father is remembered even today by his colleagues, co-actors and everyone around. It is very nice to sit with family and friends and go down memory lane, and then recall that while this movie was being shot, Rishi sir said this, and then just exchange stories. My grandparents were very hospitable. They used to serve food from their own hands to every guest who came home, they always made sure that the guest ate properly before they left,” she added.
