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Time of India
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Meet Amitabh Bachchan's co-star and Zeenat Aman's uncle who acted in 500 films but couldn't afford a house or car; his son studied under a lamp post
Stories of old-time actors struggling in their later years aren't rare. Many big stars who ruled the film industry in the 1950s and 60s ended up with little to their name because they didn't think of saving for the future. This is exactly what happened with veteran actor Murad. He was seen alongside some of the biggest legends in Indian cinema, from 'Mughal-E-Azam' to 'Do Bigha Zamin'. But behind the fame, Murad's life was far from glamorous. Even after acting in over 500 films, he never owned a house or a car. His son, actor Raza Murad , recently spoke about this in an interview that shines a light on the tough truths of showbiz. What he shared is not just a touching look at his father's legacy but also a lesson on why planning for the future is so important. 'I witnessed difficulties in life' Speaking on the Filmy Charcha YouTube channel, Raza Murad opened up about how hard life really was behind the scenes. Despite Murad's long and iconic career, their family struggled with money. 'I witnessed difficulties in life,' Raza said, remembering his childhood days in Bhopal. He shared that their home didn't even have electricity. 'I used to study for my exams under a lamp post. I would start at midnight and finish at 6 am.' It's hard to believe that while Murad was busy acting in hit films, his own son was preparing for exams under the streetlights. No car, rented house, and no savings Murad was known for memorable roles in films like 'Devdas' (1955), 'Sanyasi', 'Yaadon Ki Baaraat' and 'Tarzan Goes to India' (1962). He was truly one of the most popular character actors of his time. Yet, Raza revealed a surprising truth. 'We never had a car. We used to live in a rented house,' he said. Many actors from the 1950s and 60s didn't think much about saving for the future. Raza added, 'Those actors should have planned for the future.' It shows how being famous doesn't always mean being rich, especially if you don't plan ahead. 'He lived like he wanted to' Even though their family faced money problems, Raza made it clear he never wanted to criticise his father's choices. 'He lived like he wanted to,' he said. Seeing these struggles, however, shaped Raza's own thinking. He decided early on that he wanted a more secure life. That's why the first thing he did after making it in films was to buy a house. Related to Zeenat Aman Not many people know this, but Murad was also related to Bollywood icon Zeenat Aman — she is his niece. The family gave Indian cinema two generations of unforgettable talent. A lesson behind the fame Murad's story is a touching reminder that life on screen is often very different from life off it. Though he acted in more than 500 films, he never owned a house or car. His son Raza's words give us a clear picture of the ups and downs behind the sparkling world of cinema.
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Amitabh Bachchan's co-star had acted in 500 films but couldn't own a house or car. He was actress Zeenat Aman's relative
He was seen alongside the biggest legends in Indian cinema — from Mughal-E-Azam to Do Bigha Zamin — but veteran character actor Murad , who acted in over 500 films, never owned a house or a car. In a sobering reminder of how fame doesn't always translate to financial security, his son, actor Raza Murad, opened up in a recent interview about the difficult realities behind the glamorous façade of showbiz. The anecdote is not only a tribute to his father's legacy but also a cautionary tale about the importance of financial planning. Speaking on the Filmy Charcha YouTube channel, Raza Murad shared that despite his father's prolific career and iconic filmography, their family faced severe financial constraints. He mentioned witnessing 'difficulties in life' and experiencing poverty. Recalling his childhood in Bhopal, he added that their home didn't even have electricity and that he would have to study for his exams under a lamp post. He would start at midnight and finish at 6 am. Raza Murad's father, Murad, known for his roles in films like Devdas (1955), Sanyasi, Yaadon Ki Baaraat, and Tarzan Goes to India (1962), was one of the most sought-after character actors of his era. Yet, Raza revealed that they 'never had a car' and 'used to live in a rented house.' He pointed out how many celebrated stars from the 1950s and 60s failed to save for the future and were left struggling in their later years. According to him, those actors should have planned for the future. While Raza made it clear that he had no intention to criticise his father's choices — 'he lived like he wanted to' — he said that he chose a different path after witnessing those struggles. Hence, the first thing he did after establishing himself in the film industry was to buy a house. Interestingly, the veteran actor was also related to Bollywood icon Zeenat Aman — she is his niece.
India.com
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
This actor worked in over 500 films, had no money to afford a car, lived in a house with no electricity, name was..., his son is...
This actor worked in over 500 films, had no money to afford a car, lived in a house with no electricity, name was..., his son is... Stories of yesteryear actors facing financial struggles later in their lives aren't rare. Many major movie stars who are very successful in 90s often found themselves penniless in their old age. This often happened because they didn't save enough money to prepare themselves financially during difficult times. Once such actor who acted in over 500 films, and shared screen space with superstars like Amitabh Bachchan and Rajesh Khanna, found himself destitute in his old age. This Mughal-E-Azam actor struggled financially Recently, in an interview, actor Raza Murad cited his father, veteran actor Murad's example, to talk about the importance of saving money. His father was a character actor, who starred in some iconic films like D o Bigha Zamin, Mughal-E-Azam, Andaz, even did a Hollywood project, Tarzan Goes to India. In a candid chat with Filmy Charcha, Raza Murad recounted the financial difficulties his family faced, despite his father being a consistent actor. 'I have experienced poverty. Our house in Bhopal didn't have electricity. I would have to study for my exams under a lamp post. I would start at midnight and finish at 6 am.' He said. Raza Murad on why many yesteryear stars had no money in the end Raza Murad mentioned that many yesteryear actors were responsible for their own financial setbacks as they didn't plan better for the future. He stated, 'When you earn money, you should think about your old age. Even crew members in our industry have their own houses. They have savings. They know that income could stop any day, they know that their health could fail. Why should you beg before someone? I wouldn't want to take any names, but there were many actors who were extremely busy during their heyday. They earned a lot of money and fame, but they spent all of it. When they grew older, they were forced to live in rented accommodation even though they used to live in lavish bungalows. I saw them travelling by auto rickshaws.' Raza revealed that even though his father worked in several movies, but still it didn't save them from financial distress. 'A lot of people didn't save. There were many heroes from the 50s and 60s who were much in demand during their peak, but had tremendous difficulty in their old age. They should have planned for the future. It's so unfortunate, but such is life. You must think about your family's future as well. If you have children, then it is your responsibility to look after them. I've seen this personally. My father must have worked in over 500 films. But we never had a car, and we used to live in a rented house. The first thing I did after establishing myself was to buy a house. Sometimes, you learn what not to do in life from your elders. I don't want to disparage my father; he lived like he wanted to. But I established myself at the right time, otherwise…' The veteran actor said.
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Raza Murad says distributors who once begged for Raj Kapoor's films refused to buy Bobby without seeing it after Mera Naam Joker flop: 'He was in tremendous debt'
Raj Kapoor 's magnum opus Mera Naam Joker may have become a cult classic over time, but at the time of its release, the four-hour-long epic left the legendary actor-filmmaker in financial ruin. The film took six years to make and failed at the box office, putting Kapoor in a position where he was forced to rebuild the trust of an industry that had once revered him. In an interview with Filmy Charcha, veteran actor Raza Murad , who frequently collaborated with Kapoor, reflected on the aftermath of Mera Naam Joker's failure and how it impacted the making of Bobby . 'After Mera Naam Joker, he was in tremendous debt,' Murad said. 'Things got so bad that distributors refused to buy Bobby without seeing it first. These were the same people who were once desperate to secure the rights to his movies. But after Mera Naam Joker, everything changed.' Raj Kapoor wouldn't drink until his films got a censor certificate Despite being hailed early in his career and often compared to Orson Welles, Kapoor's subsequent films faced the burden of great expectations. Murad described him as a deeply passionate filmmaker who sacrificed everything, his time, his health, and even his family, for cinema. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo 'He loved his drinks and meat, but he would quit before getting a censor certificate,' Murad recalled. 'He would become absolutely consumed by films. He had the mind of a 14-year-old. He would fall ill a week before his film's release because he would be so tense about its reception. He was aware that his reputation was at stake. It wasn't about the money. He would put everything on the line.' When Raj Kapoor cheated on wife Krishna Raj Kapoor Raj Kapoor was a Shiva devotee and musical genius Raj Kapoor, who founded the iconic RK Studios and helped define post-Independence Indian cinema, was also deeply spiritual, Murad said. 'He was a devotee of Lord Shiva, and frequently referenced the Ganga in his films.' The actor also recalled Kapoor's exceptional musical instincts: 'He could play any musical instrument under the sun without practice.' Faced with skepticism from distributors during Bobby, Kapoor stood his ground. He reportedly refused to show them the full film but eventually agreed to show the songs to generate confidence. With Bobby, Raj Kapoor not only revived his fortunes but also launched his son Rishi Kapoor into stardom, proving once again why he was called 'The Showman' of Indian cinema.
Indian Express
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘Distributors abandoned Raj Kapoor after Mera Naam Joker, same people who'd beg for his movies were making demands': Raza Murad
Actor-filmmaker Raj Kapoor was often compared to Orson Welles. After being hailed as a maestro early in his career, he struggled to live up to that massive success with every subsequent project. He established RK Studios, and his cinema came to define post-Independence India. But his passion project, the four-hour-long Mera Naam Joker, flopped after being in production for six years and Raj was on the verge of losing it all. He took a financial hit because of the film's performance, which also led to the industry losing faith in him as he mounted his next film, Bobby. In an interview, his frequent collaborator, actor Raza Murad, recalled working with 'The Showman', and said that distributors who would once fall over themselves to secure the rights to his movies refused to buy them sight unseen. In an interview with Filmy Charcha, Raza Murad recalled what Raj Kapoor was like as a person and an artiste, and said that he could play any musical instrument under the sun without practice. He was also a devotee of Lord Shiva, and frequently alluded to this by referencing the Ganga in his films. He would also abstain from drinking alcohol after he finished shooting his films, and wouldn't start drinking again until his film received its censor certificate. 'He loved his drinks and meat, but he would quit before getting a censor certificate,' Raza Murad recalled. Also read – Bollywood's most celebrated Golden Age writer died penniless, burdened by heavy debts; Javed Akhtar blamed Raj Kapoor He continued, 'He would sacrifice everything for his films, including time with his family, and his children. He would become absolutely consumed by films. He had the mind of a 14-year-old. He would fall ill a week before his film's release, because he would be so tensed about its reception. He was aware that his reputation was at stake. It wasn't about the money. He would put everything on the line. After Mera Naam Joker, he was in tremendous debt. Things got so bad that distributors refused to buy Bobby without seeing it first. These were the same people who were once desperate to secure the rights to his movies. But after Mera Naam Joker, everything changed. He refused to show them the movie, but he agreed to show them the songs.' In an interview with Zoom Entertainment last year, the veteran actor Prem Chopra reflected on the difficulties that Raj Kapoor faced after Mera Naam Joker bombed. 'Raj Kapoor was finished! Unka sab kuch bik gaya (He was compelled to sell everything he had). Mera Naam Joker failed miserably at the box office. Raj saab was under a tremendous financial crisis. He not only mortgaged RK Studios but also had to sell off his family properties, but he didn't give up on his love for filmmaking,' he said. In a 2018 press interaction, Raj Kapoor's son, the late Rishi Kapoor, spoke about the problems that they faced after Mera Naam Joker. 'When Mera Naam Joker was about to release, our studio and all our assets were mortgaged to release that film, and the picture bombed. We were in severe problems. Then he made a film called Bobby with new boy and new girl, which was a huge risk after seeing the failure of Mera Naam Joker. But it became super hit and that is when his friends and my uncles insisted that he should to buy a house,' he said, making a reference to the film that launched him and Dimple Kapadia.
