Anees Bazmee opened up about his experience working with legendary actor and filmmaker Raj Kapoor. Scroll down to read more.
Director Anees Bazmee, currently making waves in the industry with his recent release Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, recently shared his experiences working with the legendary actor Raj Kapoor. Bazmee spoke about personal anecdotes that revealed the veteran actor’s multifaceted personality, describing his time with Kapoor as a “treasure trove of memories.”
In an interview, Bazmee revealed, “If I sit down to write a book, I think I could write 2,000-3,000 pages.” Working closely with Kapoor, Bazmee saw firsthand the contrast between the legend’s charismatic on-screen presence and his rigorous demands as a filmmaker. Bazmee described Raj Kapoor as a “bhola bhala” (innocent and simple) person as an actor but said he transformed into a “terror” when he sat in the director’s chair, often instilling fear among the crew on set.
One of Kapoor’s defining traits as a filmmaker was his unpredictability. Bazmee recalled, “Raj sahab was very unpredictable; you could never tell what would happen next.” This unpredictability, coupled with Kapoor’s short temper, created an intense environment on set.
Bazmee also shared, “He really enjoyed alcohol and smoking, but when he started editing a film, he would completely abstain. Until the edit was complete—whether it took a month, two months, or even ten months—he wouldn’t drink or smoke.”
Bazmee recounted a humorous incident that showcased Kapoor’s fiery personality. On an especially productive shooting day, Kapoor completed an impressive 15-17 shots and announced a celebratory party. However, the mood quickly shifted when Bazmee mistakenly provided actor Kulbhushan Kharbanda with the wrong costume.
For context, in 1982, Anees Bazmee worked as an assistant director alongside the legendary Raj Kapoor in the film Prem Rog.
