Raj Kapoor had established the soft power of India at a time when the term itself was not coined: PM
There is a huge potential for Indian cinema in Central Asia, there is a need to work towards tapping the same, efforts must be made to reach to the new generations in Central Asia: PMAs we celebrate 100 years of the legendary Raj Kapoor, the Kapoor family had a heartwarming interaction with the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. This special meeting honoured Raj Kapoor’s unparalleled contribution to Indian cinema and his enduring legacy. The Prime Minister had a candid conversation with the Kapoor family.
Ms. Reema Kapoor, daughter of Shri Raj Kapoor thanked the Prime Minister for sparing his valuable time to meet the Kapoor family on the upcoming occasion of Centenary celebrations of Raj Kapoor. Ms. Kapoor recited a few lines of a song from Raj Kapoor’s movie and said that entire India will witness the love, warmth and respect given to the Kapoor family by Shri Modi during their meet. Hailing the great contribution of Shri Raj Kapoor, PM welcomed the Kapoor family.
Shri Modi remarked that the 100th birth anniversary celebrations of Raj Kapoor symbolised the saga of the golden journey of Indian film Industry. He added that the movie ‘Neel Kamal’ was made in 1947 and now we were heading to 2047 and the contribution during these 100 years was momentous. Touching upon the term ‘soft power’ used in the context of diplomacy, Shri Modi highlighted that Raj Kapoor had established the soft power of India at a time when the term itself was not coined. He added that this was an immense contribution of Raj Kapoor in service of India.
The Prime Minister urged the Kapoor family to make a movie, especially catering to Central Asia, about Raj Kapoor who is still mesmerising the people there even after so many years. He added that Raj Kapoor had an impact on their lives. Shri Modi highlighted to the family that there was a huge potential for Indian cinema in Central Asia and there was a need to work towards tapping the same. He added that we must put in efforts to make it reach to the new generations in Central Asia and urged the family to create a movie which would act as a link.
Acknowledging the love and fame received from across the globe, Ms. Reema Kapoor said that Shri Raj Kapoor can be called as ‘Cultural Ambassador’ and she lauded the Prime Minister for being the ‘Global Ambassador’ of India and the entire Kapoor family was proud of the Prime Minister. Shri Modi emphasized that the prestige of the country had risen to great heights today and cited Yoga as an example which is discussed across the globe. He further added that he discussed Yoga and its importance with the leaders of other nations during their meet.
The Prime Minister remarked that research was an interesting activity which would let one enjoy the process through learning. He congratulated the grandson of Shri Raj Kapoor, Shri Armaan Jain for making a movie after research about Raj Kapoor which gave him an opportunity to live his grandfather’s life journey.
Recollecting the power of cinema, Shri Modi cited an incident when the erstwhile Jan Sangh party had lost the elections in Delhi. The leaders then decided to watch Raj Kapoor's movie ‘Phir Subah Hogi’, meaning there will be a dawn again. He added that the party had now seen the dawn again. Shri Modi also recollected an incident when he sent a recording of a song being played in China to Shri Rishi Kapoor which elated the latter.
Shri Ranbir Kapoor informed the Prime Minister that the Kapoor family was doing a retrospective of Raj Kapoor on 13th, 14th and 15th December 2024. He thanked the Government of India, NFDC and NFAI for their help. He said that the family had given 10 of his films and restored their audio and visual, which would be exhibited in 160 theatres in around 40 cities all over India. Shri Kapoor informed the PM that the premiere show would be held on the 13th December in Mumbai and they had invited the entire film industry.
