Very few people know that blockbuster director Anees Bazmee started his career as an assistant director to Raj Kapoor. As the world celebrates the great filmmaker’s centenary, Bazmee exclusively spoke to India Today Digital about his learnings and time spent with the artist and whether he incorporates it in his films.

The Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 director shared that he met Raj Kapoor through a senior writer. When he was starting work on Prem Rog, Kapoor let him join the team and that’s how the journey began. Talking about what he saw and learned while being around Raj Kapoor, Bazmee said, “His passion. It was something else. He would sleep, eat and go to the movies. He really had a passion for cinema. Breathed and lived it. He could make these great films only because of himself.” Love for craft. He had a huge vision and knew how to convey it on screen through the camera.”

When asked if he managed to use all these learnings to make films like his, the Welcome director said, “Absolutely not, because I could never do that. He was a genius and no one could match his skills.” But I really feel that everything I have achieved is because I started with them. I was often surprised when I was making films. My first movie on the sky, I often like this He regretted that he could never see his student walking on the same path.”

Bazmee also shared that Raj Kapoor was very particular about treating his assistants equally, “We got to travel on airplanes with him, stay in big hotels and eat the same food. He was a professional and a team player. There were leaders we liked.” Everyone should aspire to be like that.” The Singh Is King producer also said that Raj Kapoor brought out the best performance from most of the actors. He also made the supporting cast shine with strong writing, “He was a visionary. Even the extras in films come out to play an important role. That was RK magic.”

Discussing more about the mood on the RK film sets, Bazmee said that if things were going as per plan on the sets, the ace filmmaker would be in the best of mood and would shower love on everyone. And when this did not happen, everyone would be the victim of his scolding. “But it was also out of love, because he wanted the best from the actors and the film. Personally, I remember standing with my hands folded behind my back. He was such a big person for me, with whom I had an equation Could have. But just being in the same room was a learning experience.”

As readers would be aware, to commemorate his 100th birth anniversary, RK Film Festival has been planned in 40 cities from 13-15 December. Anees Bazmee chose Prem Rog as the film he would like to see again on the big screen. She also shared that this is a great opportunity to take the iconic films to the younger generation, “I’m so glad that Raj Sahab’s legacy now continues through his grandchildren. I think Ranbir Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor and even Karisma Kapoor are such amazing actors. Chintu ji (Rishi Kapoor) contributed a lot to the Kapoor name.

Anees Bazmee also remembered the famous RK Studios and told that most of the films were shot there. He said that he would spend his entire day there and he has beautiful memories of that place. “All his sets were so grand, as if they came from another world. Raj Saheb’s miracle was something else. (He really did an amazing job),” concluded the proud student.