While Raj Kapoor’s movies earned him admiration, his personal affairs, most notably his tumultuous romance with actress Nargis, became the subject of constant media scrutiny.
Raj Kapoor, often referred to as the ‘showman‘, was an actor and director whose legacy in the world of film is unmatched. Renowned for his versatility, the actor’s career of over five decades, with his work in iconic films like Awaara, Shree 420, Mera Naam Joker, and Bobby – making him a household name not only in the nation, but across the globe. While his movies earned him admiration, his personal affairs, most notably his tumultuous romance with actress Nargis, became the subject of constant media scrutiny.
Raj Kapoor burnt himself and turned to alcohol
The alleged relationship between Raj Kapoor and Nargis began during the filming of Shree 420, when she was just 16 and he was already married to Krishna Raj Kapoor. Despite his marriage, their bond continued for seven years, but eventually, they parted ways.
Nargis even sought legal advice from India’s then-Home Minister, Morarji Desai, on how she could marry Raj Kapoor, even though he was already married to Krishna Raj Kapoor and was a Hindu. Unfortunately, her hopes were crushed as Raj Kapoor refused to divorce his wife.
Soon after, the actress found solace in Sunil Dutt, whom she married in 1958. When Nargis married Sunil Dutt, Raj Kapoor was devastated. In fact, according to Madhu Jain’s book, The Kapoor: The First Film Family Of Indian Cinema, Raj Kapoor felt ‘betrayed’ by her marriage. The book further reveals that his heartbreak led him to self-destructive behaviour, including burning himself with cigarette butts and turning to alcohol, which severely affected his family life.
In a conversation with Bunny Reuben, Krishna Raj Kapoor, Raj Kapoor’s wife, recounted how, after Nargis married Sunil Dutt, Raj Kapoor would come home drunk night after night, sometimes collapsing in the bathtub, crying for her.
Raj Kapoor and Nargis’ first meeting
In Ritu Nanda’s Raj Kapoor: The One And Only Showman, Raj Kapoor recalled his first meeting with Nargis. He mentioned that he rang the doorbell of her flat and it was Nargis who opened the door. He mentioned, “The door opened and what did I see? An angel standing before me. Woh kisi pari se kam nahin thi! She had short hair. Baalon ki ek latt uski dahini aankh par aayi, aur lag raha tha jaise woh mujhe sirf ek aankh se dekh rahi thi. That is how I met her.”
The actor-director later recreated his first meeting with the actress in the film Bobby, where Dimple Kapadia’s character opens the door the same way as Rishi Kapoor’s character when they first meet.
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