Raj Kapoor, a celebrated figure in Indian cinema, made a significant contribution to the industry with his films. He was admired not only for his acting and directing skills but also for his warm and generous personality. Raj Kapoor had strong friendships within Bollywood, with Dilip Kumar being among his closest companions. Their friendship was so profound that a phone call from Dilip Kumar would prompt Raj Kapoor to immediately return to India from London.
Saira Banu, Dilip Kumar’s wife and a well-known actress, revealed the depth of this friendship in an interview. She contrasted the dynamics among actors then and now, highlighting the mutual support and connection prevalent in the older generation of actors. She shared that actors of that era readily supported each other and devoted time to their relationships.
Saira Banu reminisced about her late husband, stating that Dilip Kumar and his contemporaries showed immense respect for each other. She added, “Dilip often organized get-togethers for celebrities. Even if Raj Kapoor was in London, he would return to India at Dilip Kumar’s call.”
It is less known that Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar were childhood friends. They were born in the same city, Peshawar (Pakistan), and their families were acquainted. In their youth, they also enjoyed playing football together.
Both Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar are no longer alive. Raj Kapoor passed away 36 years ago in 1988, while Dilip Kumar passed away in July 2021 at the age of 98.