Krishna Raj Kapoor, wife of late actor Raj Kapoor breathed last on Monday. The whole Kapoor Khandaan and their friends and relatives from the industry gathered at the Kapoors’ Mumbai home to pay their respects. Many celebrity expressed their grief on social media too.
One of the old interview of Rima Jain-daughter of Krishna Raj Kumar has been re-surfaced where she reminisce about her late parents Raj Kapoor and Krishna Raj Kapoor. Rima recalled few fond memories of her father calling her mother ‘Billo’ and later began addressing her as ‘Krishnaji’ out of respect.
In a rare interview with Filmfare, Rima unfolded a new layer how her parents met. Rima said, “His ‘woman in white’ fascination can be traced to my mother. He had gone to see her as a prospective bride along with Premnath uncle (the late actor was Krishna’s brother). There from the window he saw a young girl in a white saree with mogras in her hair, playing the sitar. That was my mother Krishna taking music lessons. Being an artiste, he reacted to the visual. He was reminded of Goddess Saraswati. The image of the ‘lady in white’ stayed in his mind and was later seen in his films. My mother always wore white and had a flower in her hair.”
She recalled how his birthday use to be a ‘national holiday’ for their children but later he use to give all credits to his wife Krishna Raj Kapoor. She further talked at length about hosting festivals at RK studious.
“Papa was not a regular dad, who’d be available at all times. But he was aware of everything that we did. Basically, Papa, for us, meant ‘entertainment’. Movies, vacations, parties, new outfits… He loved throwing lavish parties. He looked forward to celebrating his birthdays. For us children too it was ‘a national holiday’! We’d stand on the terrace of our building and watch filmstars stream in. He’d proudly say, “Main to sirf invite karta hoon, karti sab meri biwi (Krishna Kapoor)hai!” But when his dearest colleague, Shailendraji (lyricist), passed away on Papa’s birthday, December 14 (1966), he cancelled the party immediately. Papa enjoyed hosting festivals at RK studio for the workers. Films were screened for their families during Ganesh Chaturthi. In fact, Mera Naam Joker was screened for the blind children at the studio, who enjoyed ‘hearing’ the film.”
RK’s youngest daughter Rima Jain also recalled the moment when she saw Amitabh Bachchan for the first time at Holi celebration. She also revealed to media that whenever her dad comes to home, he straightly use to head towards the kitchen to check what is in being cooked.
“The colour was first applied to Papa, who was then dunked in the tank and the celebrations would begin. I saw Amitji (Bachchan) for the first time when he came with Anwar Ali (late Mehmood’s brother) for Holi. Shammi Uncle’s songs would be played and later those of my brothers Randhir, Rishi and Rajiv when they became stars.”
“When Papa come home, he’d first head to the kitchen to check what was being cooked. He’d like a good spread whether it was for four or 14 people. He would eat with his eyes but never with his stomach. He’d happily settle for his dal tadka. There was always a fragrance around him. Of mogras which he’d bring from the garden in RK Studio. Of his favourite perfume – Worth Je Reviens! And of course, the aroma of Black Label.”
Rima Jain got married at the age of 31, hence she got to spend more time with her parents in comparison to the other siblings. She revealed how after getting drunk, RK use to say something off track which ends up having an argument but later on he use to write a ‘sorry’ letter to her in which K use to mention- ‘what you find harsh today, you’ll understand later’. She further talked about the advise her father gave to her.
“He’d often tell me, “Rima, life mein kuch toh karna jisse yeh duniya ko pata lage tum aayee thi, most people come and go without creating any ripple.” Once when I was heartbroken he told me, “Yeh pyaar jo kisiko nahin de saki, yehi pyaar unko jaa kar do jinko zaroorat hai.” That made me work for children in the cancer wards, for spastics and the visually challenged. In fact, I worked with Nargisji (Dutt) and Namrata Dutt at the Spastics Society. Nargisji was warm and looked after me. I’ve even been to their home and had lunch with her and Dutt saab (Sunil). Papa and Nargisji had worked together to create great cinematic moments and shared great times, happy and unhappy moments. There may have been some aches and pains. But our mother never made us feel it was something bad,” said Rima.
May her soul rest in peace. Stay tuned with us for more Bollywood news and updates.
