Raj Kapoor was one of the most precious gems of Hindi cinema. He is known as the biggest showman of Bollywood, and his legacy is being carried forward by the third generation of Kapoor — Karisma Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Ranbir Kapoor. While he gave all his life to the world of films, he was empty from inside during his last days. In an old interview, his daughter, Reema Jain, shared details of his life.
Raj Kapoor left for the heavenly abode on June 2, 1988, due to complications related to asthma, which he was suffering from. In a 2014 interview with Filmfare, Reema Jain, his daughter, revealed that her father was suffering in his last years, which led to his death. Reema shared that Raj Kapoor missed his colleagues from the industry, who had passed away over the years.
Raj Kapoor even re-watched all the older films during his last years of life. When he missed his colleagues, he would sing the song, 'Jaane Kaha Gaye Vo Din..' He was quoted as saying:
"Towards his last years, Papa would spend his evenings watching songs from his films. He’d ask his young actresses – sometimes Dimple Kapadia, Padmini Kolhapure and later Mandakini to watch his heroines Nargisji, Vyjayanthimalaji, Padminiji… He’d say, 'Innse seekho! Look how she smiles. Look how she lifts her eyes, so delicately.' He’d say, “They don’t make like them anymore.’ He was an empty, lonely soul towards the end. All his colleagues had left him. Shankar-Jaikishen, Hasrat Jaipuri, Shailendra, Nargisji… he missed that era. And when he missed them he’d sing Jaane kahan gaye woh din."
Reema Jain revealed that Raj Kapoor's health deteriorated after the release of the film, Ram Teri Ganga Maili Ho Gayi. She revealed that Raj Kapoo had broncho-asthma. His huge torso made it uncomfortable for him to lie down, and he would recline on six pillows. He would keep telling the family that he wanted to run up to the mountain, his mind is young but not his body.
Reema recalled his last moments and how his health suffered a major blow during the award ceremony of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award on May 2, 1988, in Delhi. Reema revealed that there was a dust storm in Delhi as soon as he landed at the airport. Being an asthma patient, his lungs were affected.
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Raj Kapoor attended the function with an oxygen cylinder. However, throughout the function, he was restless and kept pressing his wife's hand hard to show his discomfort. But when his name was announced, he wasn't able to get up. She recalled:
"Being an asthma patient, it affected his lungs. He attended the function with an oxygen cylinder. Through the function he was restless. He kept pressing my mother’s hand hard to show his discomfort. Finally, when his name was announced he couldn’t get up. There was hulchul. President Venkataraman saw his discomfort and came down to him to present the award."
Reema Jain revealed that soon, the president asked them to take Raj Kapoor to the hospital in his ambulance. The filmmaker was put on a ventilator. Reema Jain shared that Raj Kapoor prepared the family for the time when he was about to leave the world. Recalling the moment, Reema said:
"In a way, he prepared the family that he was going. The last week was particularly bad. He was irritable and spoke with his eyes. In a way we were relieved when he passed away (June 2, 1988) because he was suffering a lot."
What do you think about Reema Jain's revelation?
Next Read: Raj Kapoor: India's Most Successful Star Kid, Was Lauded At Cannes And Had Two Blockbusters At 25
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