Mumbai, Oct 10 : Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor recently took fans on a nostalgic journey to the golden era of Hindi cinema during Subhash Ghai’s annual ‘Celebrate Cinema’ festival at Whistling Woods International. He shared a charming anecdote about how his grandfather, the legendary Raj Kapoor, convinced actress Vyjayanthimala to join the 1964 classic ‘Sangam’.
Speaking with humor, Ranbir narrated:
“My grandfather Raj Kapoor wanted Vyjayanthimala to play the role of Radha in ‘Sangam’. She wasn’t ready to do the film at first. Those days, there were no phones, only telegrams. Out of frustration, my grandfather sent her a telegram that said, ‘Bol Radha Bol, Sangam Hoga Ki Nahi?’ She replied, ‘Hoga, Hoga, Hoga.’ And that exchange became the inspiration for the famous song ‘Bol Radha Bol Sangam Hoga Ki Nahi.’”
The session, moderated by filmmaker Subhash Ghai and featuring director Rahul Rawail, also saw Ranbir reflect candidly on his acting journey and the responsibilities of being part of the iconic Kapoor family, often called Bollywood’s “first family.”
“I’m aware that I come from a film family, and I won’t shy away from admitting that I had it easier than most. I’m a product of nepotism. But I’ve always felt the responsibility to prove myself. If I don’t bring my own individuality to my work, I won’t survive in this industry,” he said.
Ranbir also detailed his early training, including studying at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York and assisting Sanjay Leela Bhansali on ‘Black’ (2005). He described the experience as a masterclass in professional acting, observing stalwarts like Amitabh Bachchan and Rani Mukerji.
On his acting approach, the ‘Animal’ star emphasized flexibility:
“The method keeps evolving. What I learnt at film school was just a foundation. Each director has a different vision, and as an actor, you have to adapt. There is no fixed method. You have to serve the story and the director’s idea.”
Ranbir also cited Guru Dutt and Raj Kapoor as ongoing sources of inspiration, praising their storytelling, vision, and emotional honesty.
Looking ahead, Ranbir is set to portray Lord Ram in Nitesh Tiwari’s ambitious two-part epic ‘Ramayana’, while also appearing in Netflix’s ‘The Ba*ds of Bollywood’**.
Through heartfelt recollections and professional insights, Ranbir Kapoor continues to bridge Bollywood’s legendary past with its evolving present, honoring his family legacy while carving his own path.