Latest news with #MeraNaamJoker
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Shammi Kapoor proposed to her at 17, but one Kapoor family rule ended their love story. The Bollywood heartthrob's romantic ‘nightmare'
Long before paparazzi and Instagram romance confirmations, Bollywood's silver screen was home to love stories that rarely made it past studio lots. One such tale — tender yet tinged with heartbreak — unfolded between superstar Shammi Kapoor and a young rising actress, Mumtaz , during the filming of the 1968 classic Brahmachari . Rumours swirled for years about their alleged affair, but it was only later, that both stars spoke candidly about the relationship that 'was not a love affair, it was much more,' in Mumtaz's own words. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Digital Marketing Finance others Public Policy Healthcare Project Management Management Degree CXO MCA Cybersecurity Data Science Data Analytics MBA Artificial Intelligence Data Science Product Management Technology Others Design Thinking Leadership PGDM Skills you'll gain: Digital Marketing Strategies Customer Journey Mapping Paid Advertising Campaign Management Emerging Technologies in Digital Marketing Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business Digital Marketing and Analytics Starts on May 14, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Digital Marketing Strategy Search Engine Optimization (SEO) & Content Marketing Social Media Marketing & Advertising Data Analytics & Measurement Duration: 24 Weeks Indian School of Business Professional Certificate Programme in Digital Marketing Starts on Jun 26, 2024 Get Details A Proposal at 17 and a Painful Refusal In an interview archived by Rediff , Mumtaz disclosed that Kapoor had proposed marriage when she was just 17. While deeply in love, she turned him down — not because she didn't feel the same, but because of a difficult demand: Kapoor had asked her to quit acting. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Celebrity-Endorsed British Trading Bot Is Getting Noticed — Here's Why Kapital Wolf Undo 'He wanted me to give up my career when I was just 17,' she said. 'Unfortunately, womenfolk in the Kapoor family did not work during those days.' For Mumtaz, who was supporting her family and already earning a substantial income — reportedly Rs 8 lakh as a struggler — walking away from the industry wasn't an option. 'I don't think anyone can give me the same amount of love that he showered on me. I never forgot him,' she added emotionally. 'Even today when his name is mentioned, tears well up in my eyes.' You Might Also Like: Did Mumtaz lose Mera Naam Joker because of her relationship with Shammi Kapoor? Actress reveals why Raj Kapoor said no to her Agencies Rumours swirled for years about Shammi kapoor and Mumtaz's alleged affair, but it was only later, that both stars spoke candidly about the relationship that. Shammi Kapoor: A Star with a Heavy Heart By the time Brahmachari was being filmed, Shammi Kapoor was already a widower, having lost his first wife, actress Geeta Bali, to smallpox in 1965. Kapoor, known for his flamboyant screen presence and infectious energy, was privately grieving and perhaps seeking companionship in the comforting bond he found with Mumtaz. Speaking to Lehren Retro , Kapoor recalled, 'At that time, I was a widower and Mumtaz was a very beautiful thing in that movie. For a short while, we both had dreams, but then it turned into a nightmare. So, it's fine. I am happy as I am today.' Closure and Moving on Mumtaz, who would go on to become one of the most celebrated actresses of the 1970s with hits like Do Raaste , Khilona , and Roti , had to choose between love and legacy. 'I had a family to support,' she explained. 'I was the highest paid actress of my time… I wanted only the best in life." You Might Also Like: Kapoor family elder had pushed for Ranbir-Deepika's marriage: 'Both are tall and good-looking' Both actors eventually moved on in life. Kapoor married Neila Devi in 1969, while Mumtaz married businessman Mayur Madhvani and settled in London. Yet, the emotional imprint of their bond remained indelible.
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘Raj Kapoor was reduced to dust as he made ‘Mera Naam Joker', says Mahesh Bhatt: ‘The certainty of failure'
Veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt , known for delivering some of Hindi cinema's most memorable films like 'Arth', 'Aashiqui' among many more, is also known for his deep, philosophical views. This side of him is evident every time he speaks and also the depth in his movies. In a recent interview, he shared his perspective on the unpredictable nature of the film industry . With over five decades of experience behind him, Bhatt believes that failure is far more certain than success in showbiz. Bhatt used the example of legendary filmmaker Raj Kapoor to drive home his point. He recalled how Kapoor went bankrupt after producing Mera Naam Joker in 1970 — a film that is now considered iconic, but had flopped at the box office upon release. Speaking on The Himanshu Mehta Show, he said, 'Raj Kapoor was reduced to dust when he made Mera Naam Joker, but the same Raj Kapoor when he made Bobby, the whole nation came to make him successful because they in a way felt guilty for seeing such a great filmmaker spiral into economic debt,' Bhatt said. 'Those were very trying times for him, and that is the same time I joined films. I have seen him in those vulnerable times. Failure is very difficult to take in our business. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Don't Pay For New Gutters. Get This 3-In-1 System Instead LeafFilter Gutter Protection Call Now Undo ' Bhatt further shared a conversation he once had with the late Yash Chopra about the importance of discussing failure, especially with newcomers. 'I was talking to Yash Chopra about what we need to talk to a junior about — the certainty of failure. If you want to be in this business, you have to be certain that you will fail more often than succeed. Success is a fluke, failure is guaranteed, and yet you have to keep on going.' Earlier veteran actor Raza Murad had also spoken about how Raj Kapoor faced debts post 'Mera Naam Joker'. In an earlier interview with Filmy Charcha, Murad said, '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. '
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘Raj Kapoor was reduced to dust after making Mera Naam Joker, spiralled into debt,' says Mahesh Bhatt: ‘Those were very trying times for him'
Veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt has given several iconic films to Hindi cinema. In his 51-year-long career in the Hindi film industry, the filmmaker says he has come to understand that 'success is a fluke and failure is guaranteed' in the movie business. To illustrate his point, he cited the example of Raj Kapoor's career. In an interaction on The Himanshu Mehta Show, Mahesh recalled how Raj Kapoor went broke trying to bankroll his now-iconic film Mera Naam Joker (1970), but the film bombed at the box office. However, he eventually received his due three years later with Bobby, which saw immense success at the box office. He said, 'Raj Kapoor was reduced to dust when he made Mera Naam Joker, but the same Raj Kapoor when he made Bobby, the whole nation came to make him successful because they in a way felt guilty for seeing such a great filmmaker spiral into economic debt. Those were very trying times for him, and that is the same time I joined films. I have seen him in those vulnerable times. Failure is very difficult to take in our business.' Mahesh Bhatt went on to talk about his conversation with the late legendary filmmaker Yash Chopra and how they both agreed on the importance of speaking more openly about failures with their juniors. He recalled, 'I was talking to Yash Chopra about what we need to talk to a junior about — the certainty of failure. If you want to be in this business, you have to be certain that you will fail more often than succeed. Success is a fluke, failure is guaranteed, and yet you have to keep on going.' In an old interaction with Filmy Charcha, veteran actor Raza Murad also recalled an instance after Mera Naam Joker and how distributors abandoned Raj Kapoor. He shared, '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.' Prem Chopra, who was a part of Bobby, had earlier spoken to Lehren about how Raj Kapoor had to sell everything after Mera Naam Joker. '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 had said. However, he had the vision to come back with Bobby starring Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia. 'He made this beautiful film (Bobby) which I was also part of. It went on to become a massive success and two new stars were born — Rishi and Dimple. However, during the making of Bobby, it didn't feel he had encountered such a massive failure and continued making it with an equal amount of passion and love,' Chopra had 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.
