PM hosts Kapoors to commemorate Raj Kapoor’s centenary
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday took a break from his political events to host members of the Kapoor clan to commemorate legendary filmmaker Raj Kapoor’s centenary. December 14 marks the 100th birth anniversary of Raj Kapoor.
The meeting, at PM’s official 7 Lok Kalyan Marg residence, was attended by all Kapoor family members — actors Neetu Kapoor, Ranbir, Alia Bhat, Kareena, Karishma Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan and other members of the family.
Kareena said she had always dreamt of meeting the PM and had not imagined that the dream moment would come on the centenary of her grandfather. Ranbir spoke of how he asked the PM many personal questions and the latter made everyone feel comfortable.
“The PM gave many suggestions on how to further the legacy of Raj Kapoor,” said Alia while Karishma described her experience as “overwhelming, monumental and memorable”.
Neetu Kapoor’s daughter Riddhima said the meeting with Modi felt like a meeting with a family member.
Neetu Kapoor earlier took to social media to say, “We are deeply humbled and honoured to have been invited by PM Modi to commemorate the extraordinary life and legacy of Raj Kapoor. Thank you Modi ji for such a special afternoon. Your warmth, attention and support in celebrating this milestone meant the world to us. As we celebrate 100 glorious years of Raj Kapoor’s artistry, vision and contribution to Indian cinema, we honour the timeless impact of his legacy which continues to inspire us and generations to come.”
The Kapoor clan invited the PM for the Raj Kapoor Film Festival. Spanning 101 cinemas across 34 cities from December 13 to 15, the gala will be one of the most extensive retrospectives ever dedicated to Raj Kapoor’s filmography.
The fest will showcase his iconic films and remember the impact he had on Indian cinema. Ten films will be showcased across 40 cities and 135 cinemas.
The Kapoor family’s production house RK Films is teaming up with the Film Heritage Foundation, NFDC and the National Film Archive of India to organise special screenings of Raj Kapoor’s films.
Titled Raj Kapoor 100 — Celebrating the Centenary of the Greatest Showman — the screenings will happen across PVR Inox and Cinepolis.
Raj Kapoor was born on December 14, 1924, in pre-Partition Pakistan.
