'Dad always got what he wanted'

One of India's greatest showmen ever, Raj Kapoor passed away on June 2, twenty years ago. However, his work continues to be a major source of inspiration.

A prodigy of sorts who entered the film industry as a clapper boy in the late 1930s and started his acting career at the age of 11 with the film Inquilab, Raj Kapoor finally made it to the big league with his lead role in Neel Kamal in 1947.

He was also instrumental in successfully launching the second generation of Kapoor's – especially his son Rishi Kapoor.

"He was a great disciplinarian as far as what he wanted. He always got what he wanted," says actor Rishi Kapoor. He adds, "It was never a father and son relationship. It was more of a director and actor relationship."

Two decades after his death, the magic of RK continues to inspire actors and filmmakers alike. A recent example being Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Saawariya which also featured his grandson Ranbir Kapoor.

"My grandfather, Raj Kapoor was going to Russia at that point of time. I called him up and told him that I wanted a suit. He was not the shopping kind. He was more of the sightseeing kind of person. After his trip, he came back home straight from the airport and he got me three bags full of suits," says actor Ranbir Kapoor.