Raj Kapoor was not simply an iconic artist. He was a kind of uncommon people who grew to become the face of the trade he represented and continues to take action. With a profession that spanned over 5 many years wherein he donned the hat of not solely a number one actor but additionally an lively director and producer, he left behind a legacy that retains film lovers proud. At the moment, occurs to be his 101^st start anniversary.

EXCLUSIVE: Sahil Khan on being the ONLY actor to have performed Raj Kapoor in a movie, “Enjoying him was a fantastic honour”; the film additionally starred Vidya Balan within the function of an actual yesteryear actress

There have been talks a few risk of Raj Kapoor’s biopic through the years. In reality, as soon as his grandson and famous person Ranbir Kapoor himself expressed his want of taking part in his grandfather in his biopic. However nothing concrete has occurred on that entrance.

We don’t know whether or not Ranbir or every other actor will finally painting the late legend in his biopic. However we do know that even when anybody does, he gained’t be the primary actor to play Raj Kapoor on display. Sure, you heard it proper. The late showman’s character has already been performed within the Marathi film (with an excellent quantity of Hindi) titled Ekk Albela. Launched in 2016, the film was a biopic on Bhagwan Dada, one other legend of Indian cinema. Directed by Shekhar Sartandel, it starred Mangesh Joshi within the titular function whereas the character of Raj Kapoor was performed by Sahil Khan. Curiously, the function of Geeta Bali was enacted by Vidya Balan.

Bollywood Hungama unique spoke with director Sartandel and actor Khan on the bit about Raj Kapoor being portrayed on display of their movie Ekk Albela.

Not surprisingly, Sartandel mentioned that to seek out an actor to play a legend like Raj Kapoor was a problem. “It shouldn’t occur that folks say, ‘He isn’t wanting like Raj Kapoor’. It took a while. I used to be wanting on the images supplied by mannequin co-ordinators. Some folks did considerably resemble Raj Kapoor. I needed to match his appears to be like from his earlier movies like Bawre Nain, which got here in 1950. Folks largely keep in mind Raj Kapoor ji of later years. However within the Fifties, he had a chiselled face,” he mentioned.

Sartandel determined to forged fashions who’re in search of a break in films. Explaining the rationale, he mentioned, “If there was already a longtime actor within the trade who appears to be like like Raj Kapoor, he wouldn’t have been obtainable. He would have already been forged. Woh khaali toh nahin baitha hoga. So, there have been extra probabilities of discovering such an actor amongst fashions.”

Throughout this time, an assistant of his primarily based in Nashik had unfold the phrase that they’re in search of an actor resembling Raj Kapoor. That’s how he got here throughout Sahil Khan’s image. “I immediately realized (that he resembles Raj Kapoor) due to his chiselled face and the styling of his eyes. Due to this, the make-up man wasn’t required to depend on prosthetics. Vidyadhar Bhatte, the private make-up man for Vidya Balan, was additionally doing the make up for this movie. He noticed the image and he additionally mentioned that we gained’t must do a lot with him. He (Sahil) was immediately handed.”

Sahil mentioned he feels very joyful at any time when he will get appreciated for enjoying the character of Raj Kapoor. Recalling that interval, he mentioned he was a brand new child on the block who was skilled at Anupam Kher’s Actor Prepares. He received to know concerning the audition for Ekk Albela from his buddy Pritesh Mahale.

Sahil went for the audition and was stunned to know that he has to audition for the function of Raj Kapoor! “I used to be shocked pondering how I might do it. The producers and Shekhar sir gave me one web page and requested me to carry out it in 10-Quarter-hour. I requested how can I carry out Raj Kapoor sir in such much less time? In these days, there was Google and YouTube however no ChatGPT and new-age instruments. So, how do I analysis? I assumed I would like to look at his films, learn his articles. Meri hawa tight ho gayi! We have been watching one another’s faces. I mentioned that is an in-depth character and I actually need to check him. They understood that. They mentioned that they took round 7-8 folks’s audition for Raj Kapoor sahab however my look goes properly with him.”

Sahil might discover solely a few films of Raj Kapoor on-line. He collected Bunny Reuben’s ebook on Raj Kapoor. He was getting DVDs and VCDs however he didn’t have a participant in Mumbai to play these films. Therefore, he might see solely Aawara and Shree 420 on-line. “Because it was additionally Vidya Balan’s first Marathi film, I knew it is going to be well-publicized,” mentioned Sahi.

However Sartandel suggested him to not watch too many movies of Raj Kapoor, else any actor can come below an excessive amount of strain, together with established actors. He recalled that as quickly as Sahil wore that go well with, he realized that he’s wanting just like Raj Kapoor. This was sufficient for the primary shot to be okayed quickly. “It was finished in nearly two takes. There was no bother for me. Folks have been proud of him on the units too,” mentioned the filmmaker.

Sharing his expertise of giving the primary shot as Raj Kapoor, Sahil mentioned, “I used to be properly ready by the point the shoot day arrived. I spoke lots with Shekhar sir. I gave no matter the very best I might that point. I rehearsed with Mangesh sir. Then in about 1-2 takes it was finished. Enjoying him was a fantastic honour for me. As Shah Rukh Khan retains saying that he’s the final of the celebrities. Raj Kapoor was the primary star.”

It was additionally difficult for Sartandel to determine the interactions between Raj Kapoor and Bhagwan Dada to be able to present mutual respect between each. “In a single scene, Raj sahab advises Bhagwan dada to begin doing social movies,” he mentioned. “I discovered the angle of his respect for Bhagwan Dada in that one scene.”

There was one other scene between Raj Kapoor and Bhagwan Dada, which couldn’t make it to the movie. Sartandel recalled that scene, “The enhancing of Raj Kapoor’s movie and Bhagwan Dada’s movie used to occur in adjoining studios. Raj sahab used to look at the enhancing of Bhagwan Dada’s movie. Bhagwan Dada didn’t was once current on a regular basis. His editor was senior and Raj sahab was very younger. He advised somebody, ‘Prithviraj Kapoor’s son is repeatedly standing right here and watching all our footage. Inform him to not come right here’. However Bhagwan Dada as soon as mentioned, ‘No. Raj is younger however he’s additionally a filmmaker. I do know he gained’t carry any of our scenes, so let him come.’ That is how they interacted off the display. Even at present, Jagruti Studio (based by Bhagwan Dada) is on the identical place.”

Sartandel received the primary response for the casting of Raj Kapoor after the trial present itself. He recalled, “Nikhil Sane (the then Enterprise Head for Marathi movie division at Zee Studios) took me apart and requested in Marathi, ‘Inform me, how did you get an actor for Raj Kapoor sahab? (laughs)’ I feel that is about luck. It’s good to present some persistence. It was my luck that Sahil’s picture got here in entrance of me. So, I used to be luckier than the actor. If the casting wouldn’t have been correct, folks would have blamed me.”

Additionally Learn: “Pehle salaam karo, phir pappi do”: Ranbir Kapoor shares adorable Raj Kapoor memory in Dining With The Kapoors; reveals he was named after his grandfather, “They ran out of ‘R’ names…”

Tags : Birth Anniversary, Bollywood, Bollywood Features, Down Memory Lane, Down The Memory Lane, Ekk Albela, Features, Flashback, Legend, Mangesh Desai, Marathi, Marathi Cinema, Raj Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor, Sahil Khan, Shekhar Sartandel, Showman, Throwback, Vidya Balan

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