Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Raj Kapoor and the Kapoor family

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the Kapoor family on Tuesday in Delhi and recalled the life and legacy of cinema icon Raj Kapoor, whose 100th birth anniversary will be celebrated on Saturday. Prime Minister Modi, in a candid conversation with the Kapoors, said Raj Kapoor established India's soft power in the world at a time when that word was not even invented.

“In the diplomatic world, we talk a lot about soft power. And at a time when that phrase didn't even exist, Raj Kapoor Sahab established India's soft power around the world. It was his great service to India,” Prime Minister Modi said. said.

The Prime Minister met Raj Kapoor's daughter Rima Jain, daughter-in-law Neetu Kapoor and his grandchildren – actors Karisma Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Aadar Jain and Armaan Jain.

Actors Alia Bhatt – married to Ranbir Kapoor – and Saif Ali Khan – Kareena Kapoor Khan's husband – were also present at the meeting.

The Prime Minister, while talking about the power of cinema, recounted an incident involving former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani.

“During the time of Jan Sangh, there were elections in Delhi and they lost the elections. So Advani ji and Atal ji said, 'We have lost the elections, what should we do now? So let's see a movie.' “They went to see a film and it was Raj Kapoor's 'Phir Subah Hogi' (1958) and then there was a new morning,” he said.

He also recalled that during one of his visits to China, the hosts played songs from Raj Kapoor's films.

“I asked my team to record it on mobile and sent it to Rishiji (Kapoor). And he was so happy,” PM Modi said.

#WATCH | Delhi: Members of the Kapoor family yesterday extended an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of the 100th birth anniversary of legendary actor-filmmaker Raj Kapoor on December 14.

Actor Ranbir Kapoor said, “It's a special day for us. We enjoyed the pic.twitter.com/fOBVlfLFYK

ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2024

Prime Minister Modi also suggested that the global impact of Raj Kapoor and his films should be captured through the visual format. “Can we do something, probably a film that captures Raj Kapoor's imprint in the hearts and minds of people in Central Asia… He had a great impact on the lives of people in Central Asia and I think we should resurrect it and connect it to the new generation. We should do something to connect this and I think it's possible,” he said.

After the meeting, Ranbir Kapoor said he was grateful to Prime Minister Modi for interacting with the family.

“We had a lot of fun in our conversation with the Prime Minister and we asked a lot of personal questions. He was very friendly with us. We were very nervous before the meeting but he was very good and put us at ease. “I'm comfortable and I really thank him,” he added.

Kareena Kapoor Khan said, “It was my dream to sit next to Prime Minister Modi and talk to him. His energy is so positive and he is truly a world leader.”

Alia Bhatt said it was a proud moment for the Kapoor family. “With the energy, the kindness and the way he welcomed us and the way he spoke about Raj Kapoor ji, he gave a lot of ideas and suggestions on what more we can do to advance his legacy and informing the world about it We really loved it,” she said.

During the meeting, Ranbir Kapoor, on behalf of the Kapoor family, invited the Prime Minister to the Raj Kapoor Film Festival.

Spanning 101 cinemas across 34 cities from December 13 to 15, the festival – organized by PVR INOX Limited and the Film Heritage Foundation – will be dedicated to the filmography of Raj Kapoor.

Raj Kapoor – actor, editor, director and producer – is known for classics such as 'Aag', 'Awara', 'Barsaat', 'Shree 420' and 'Bobby'.