Raj Kapoor, a towering figure in Indian cinema, left an indelible mark on the industry with his films. Beyond his cinematic achievements, he was also celebrated for his warm personality and generosity. Among his many friendships in Bollywood, his bond with Dilip Kumar stood out. Their friendship was such that a single phone call from Dilip Kumar could bring Raj Kapoor back to India from London.
The details of this close friendship between Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor were revealed by Dilip Kumar’s wife, Saira Banu. In an interview, Saira Banu drew a comparison between actors of the past and present, highlighting the camaraderie and mutual support that characterized the earlier generation of actors. She noted that actors of the older generation readily shared each other’s joys and sorrows and made time for each other.
Saira Banu recounted that Dilip Kumar and his contemporaries held each other in high regard. She mentioned that Dilip Kumar would frequently host gatherings for celebrities. “Even if Raj Kapoor was in London,” she said, “he would return to India with just a call from Dilip Kumar.”
It’s worth noting that Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar shared a childhood friendship, having been born in the same city of Peshawar, now in Pakistan. Their families were acquainted with each other, and the two youngsters enjoyed playing football together.
Both Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar are no longer with us. Raj Kapoor passed away 36 years ago in 1988, while Dilip Kumar breathed his last in July 2021, at the age of 98.