Rewind to Raj

``I first met Rajji in 1969 through a common friend, Mohan Borade, owner of the Mobo's Hotel, where Raj used to stay on his visits to Pun...

“I first met Rajji in 1969 through a common friend, Mohan Borade, owner of the Mobo’s Hotel, where Raj used to stay on his visits to Pune before buying his farm at Loni.

“My first encounter with him came by way of an interview where he spoke at length about the success of his movie Sangam. The interview lasted almost six hours, and from then on, a friendship was struck between us that lasted till his sad demise in 1988.

“I cannot forget the day my daughter, Justine, was born – December 4, 1972. Rajji was shooting Bobby in Pune when he heard of the birth. He came to the Ruby Hall Clinic and presented a fine gold chain for the baby. The room was flooded with nurses and other hospital staff as soon as word got around of Rajsaab’s presence.

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“After Rajji bought the 80-acre farm at Loni, he almost became a Puneite, haunting Dorabjee’s departmental store, the Coffee House on Moledina Road and the Poona Club. In fact, many of his movies, including Mera Naam Joker and Bobby, were shot in Pune or at Raj Bagh.

“I met Simi Garewal on the sets of Mera Naam Joker, as the first chapter of the film was shot in major locations in Pune, and was able to take some exclusive pictures of her.

“The Raj Bagh at Loni Kalbhor used to be our meeting place with the great showman. Here, Rajji’s durbar used to come alive. The day’s shooting would be discussed with Simi and Manoj Kumar, the lead pair of the first chapter.“A few months ago, B.K.S. Iyengar (who shares his birthday with Raj Kapoor) informed me that Rajji had explored the possibility of coming to his yoga institute for treatment during his illness. It’s a known fact that he had every intention of settling down in Pune.

“About a 100 yards before one turns left to Raj Bagh, on the main Pune-Sholapur highway, a sign used to read `Site for RK Studios.’ A dream that remained unfulfilled.”