A time when towering figures like Raj Kapoor cast a long, inspiring shadow. For filmmaker Rahul Rawail, that shadow became a guiding light.
Rawail’s cinematic journey began not just in the world of movies, but within the hallowed halls of R.K. Studios, working alongside the legendary Kapoor. It was a masterclass in storytelling, direction, and the sheer magic of filmmaking. Kapoor’s passion was infectious, his innovative spirit a constant spark, and his commitment to social issues a lesson etched deep in Rawail’s heart.
Years later, the influence of the “Showman” would echo through Rawail’s own directorial ventures. Films like Love Story, Betaab, and Arjun showcased a beautiful blend of commercial flair and artistic expression – a testament to the lessons learned under Kapoor’s watchful eye.
Rawail’s affection for Kapoor overflows in his book, “Raj Kapoor: The Master at Work.” Filled with anecdotes and insights, it’s a window into the creative genius that was Raj Kapoor. More than just a book, it’s a tribute, a love letter to a mentor who shaped not just a career, but an entire approach to cinema.
Rawail shared a nostalgic snapshot – a young assistant director on the sets of Bobby clutching dialogue sheets. It was a time of transition for Kapoor, coming off the heels of Mera Naam Joker. Distributors had vanished, crew members had jumped ship, but Rawail remained, one of the few constants. He even took on the mantle of production controller, adding another layer of experience to his cinematic education.
“He never said to make a film for success,” Rawail reminisces, capturing Kapoor’s unique philosophy. “Success finds you.” It was a sharp contrast to the current trend of “cult film” aspirations. Films, according to Kapoor, earned their cult status after the audience had spoken, not before.
There was a knowing smile on Kapoor’s face after the test screening of Bobby, Rawail recalls. “He said, ‘Some films just get made.'” But Rawail saw beyond the surface. It wasn’t a resignation, but a quiet awareness of the power he wielded. Bobby would become the film that paid off debts and secured a permanent home for Kapoor, a testament to his commercial acumen.
For Rawail, the debt extends far beyond the material. “I owe everything to Raj Kapoor,” he confesses. “He was a teacher, a mentor who shared his knowledge like a gift. He’d explain scenes to actors, guiding them with a generosity that enriched everyone around him.” Rawail himself would spend hours simply observing, absorbing the wisdom that surrounded him. “He told me to never hesitate to ask questions,” Rawail remembers. “Ignorance was the only sin.”
And sometimes, the lessons came in the most unexpected ways. Once, while filming, Rawail noticed Kapoor tapping a rhythmic beat on his fingers. “It was a revelation – Raj kaporo told me that he was composing the background score in his head, even as the scene unfolded before him. That is what he was all about… a master.”
Rawail’s loyalty paid off one day when RK called him to direct a film – Biwi O’ Biwi. “He called me and he told me that he had a script and if I wanted to direct the film for him. He said ‘hear the story and if you like it, you should direct’; It was a proud moment for me,” Rawail recalls with a smile. He dismisses the idea of being in the Raj Kapoor ‘Camp’. “There is nothing like a camp. It becomes a company when you work together. Having said that, I don’t think there was a complete filmmaker like Raj Kapoor. He had a 360 degree knowledge of what he was doing. On the set, he was like a composer of an orchestra. He was controlling a number of musicians, sitting on a set managing 100s of people and he was physically managing each one of them and knew what he wanted,” continues Rawail.
Raj Kapoor was a pioneer of socially relevant cinema. Films like Aag, Barsaat, Awara, Jagte Raho, Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai, and Ram Teri Ganga Maili are testaments to his commitment to social issues. “He had a great thing for films being socially conscious,” Rawail says. “There were others like Bimal Roy, Mehboob Khan, and Chetan Anand. There was this small list of masters who really believed in social content. Over a period of time, social content went out of the window and was replaced by escapist fare. But only RK kept the social banner flying when he made Prem Rog and Ram Teri Ganga Maili.”
Rawail recalls his journey with RK. “I joined RK Films in 1968. I remember he sang two songs and the words and tune were complete. But it did not have a place in the film we were working on. One of the songs was Jhoot Bole Kauva Kate which was composed and ready. He used that in Bobby and the other one was Sun Sahiba Sun which he used in Ram Teri Ganga Maili when he found the situation,” says Rawail about Kapoor’s keen sense of music.
“I had once accompanied him for a wedding in Delhi and Ravindra Jain was the wedding singer and he sang a song Ek Meera Ek Radha. Rajsaab went to him and gave him some money and said that this is for buying the rights of this song. And then he gave him more money and told him that it was for writing the story and when I asked him he said that he wanted to make a song on this story in the Ram Charit Manas. Lord Ram came to Prayag Raj in a boat and when Ram saw the Ganga and he found it to be dirty and when he asked the boatman, the latter replied that it was due to washing the sins of those who bathed in it and there was the song and the film,” Rawail signs off.
Poonam Dhillon on Raj Kapoor
“As CINTAA President, I took a call that we owe a tribute to the greatest showman of our industry. On 18th December we are having a show of Raj Kapoor’s musical hits where big names form music industry like Nitin Mukesh, Shailendra Singh, Kavita Krishnamurti, Padmini Kolhapure will be singing.
His contribution to music unmeasurable. I have had the fortune of working in a RK film – Biwi O Biwi. Raj ji was always appreciative and affectionate with me. Amazing producer, always caring.
Raj Kapoor was an era. So creative, so ahead of his time… the subjects that he handled as a director… nobody dared to do that in those times. He has given us such amazing actors in legacy like Rishi Kapoor, Randhir Kapoor, and Ranbir Kapoor…
