Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a meeting with the Kapoor family, recalled a lovely moment involving legendary filmmaker Raj Kapoor and his iconic cinema. PM Modi recalled how after the defeat in Delhi elections, Lal Krishna Advani and Atal Bihari Vajpayee had decided to go to watch a movie and the PM went with them to watch Raj Kapoor’s film, Phir Subah Hogi.

The PM shared this anecdote during a heartfelt interaction with Raj Kapoor’s family, who met him on Tuesday to invite him to the upcoming RK Film Festival. The meeting, which celebrates the centenary of Raj Kapoor’s birth, celebrated his profound contribution to Indian cinema and his lasting impact domestically and globally.

A video of the Kapoor family’s meeting Shared on PM Modi’s YouTube page. The description reads: “As we celebrate 100 years of the great Raj Kapoor, the Kapoor family had a heart-warming conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This special meeting honored Raj Kapoor’s unique contribution to Indian cinema and his lasting legacy. He shared how his meeting with PM Modi was a tremendous experience.

Watch the video here:

At the beginning of the conversation, Ranbir told PM Modi, ‘Since last week, we have been deciding in our family WhatsApp group how we should address you. Should we call you PM Modi ji, Prime Minister ji or something else?”

“I am also from your family. You can call me whatever you want,” Narendra Modi replied.

The PM further said, “In our diplomatic world we talk a lot about soft power. And at a time when the term probably did not exist, Mr. Raj Kapoor established his power through his diverse cinema. This is a great service to the country. He is a great force for Central Asia and we should remember that strength and bring back his power. We should try to make his films reach the younger generation.

He further said, “It was Delhi elections and Jan Sangh had lost. Advani (former Deputy Prime Minister of India LK Advani) and Atal ji (Atal Bihari Vajpayee) said, ‘What should we do now?’ So he decided to go and watch a movie instead. We had gone to watch Raj Kapoor’s film Phir Subah Hogi.”

“I remember when I was in China, a Rishi Kapoor film was playing in the background. I think I sent that clip to him and he became very happy after watching it,” PM Modi said.

Alia Bhatt, who was a part of the meeting with Ranbir, asked PM Modi whether he gets a chance to listen to music. To this PM Modi replied that whenever he gets a chance to take leave from his busy schedule, he definitely listens to songs.

Saif Ali Khan met PM Modi With wife Kareena KapoorAddressing the PM, he wrote, “You are the first PM whom I have met personally. Thanks for taking the time to do this. You’re doing a great job and I just want to thank you on behalf of everyone for being so warm and approachable.”

PM Modi replied, “I have met your father (Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi). And I was thinking that maybe I would get a chance to meet all three generations. But you didn’t bring your children.”

Inviting PM Modi, Ranbir said, “We are doing a retrospective film on Raj Kapoor on December 13, 14 and 15. The Government of India helped us a lot, the entire Mumbai film industry will be present there.”

Raj Kapoor Film Festival starts from 13th DecemberCelebrates Raj Kapoor’s 100-year legacy on his centenary birth anniversary.