When protest by Kapoors led Raj Kapoor to drop idea to cast Rajesh Khanna in Satyam Shivam Sundaram 


Raj Kapoor had envisaged Rajesh Khanna as the lead hero for Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Rishi Kapoor said in his autobiography 


By Rajesh Ahuja 


Legendary Raj Kapoor's hit film Satyam Shivam Sundaram may today seem unimaginable without its leading actor Shashi Kapoor but in reality Raj Kapoor had envisaged Bollywood superstar of the early 70s Rajesh Khanna as its leading hero. 


This has been revealed by Rishi Kapoor in his autobiography Khullam Khulla:: Rishi Kapoor uncensored. 


Writing in his autobiography,  the late Rishi Kapoor said, 'during the casting of the male lead of my father's (Raj Kapoor) film 'Satyam Shivam Sundaram', papa was fond of Kakaji(Rajesh Khanna) and he was one of the main contenders for the role. 


But soon, stories began to circulate that the rest of the Kapoor clan had ganged up against him and made its displeasure clear. Ultimately, the part went to my uncle Shashi Kapoor. The stories were true.  I was one of those who objected to Kakaji being cast in the film.'' 


Rishi Kapoor says Rajesh Khanna was Raj Kapoor's first choice for Satyam Shivam Sundaram but protest by Kapoor family led him to drop the idea & cast Shashi Kapoor  




Looking back,  Rishi Kapoor said that he today regretted his decision to oppose Rajesh Khanna being cast as the leading hero of the film. 


''It is not something I am proud of and later admitted as much to Kakaji before he died.  We talked about it during the making of Aa Ab Laut Chalein, a film I directed in which I had cast him(Rajesh Khanna)in an important role,''Rishi Kapoor said. 


Rishi Kapoor said that though he was not sure Raj Kapoor's decision not to cast Rajesh Khanna in the film was impacted by the objections of the Kapoor family, the situation at that time made it possible that the protest may have impacted his decision to cast Shashi Kapoor in Satyam Shivam Sundaram. 


'I am not sure how far our war cry against Rajesh Khanna had any impact on my father. He was not the kind of man to keel over and succumb to this kind of emotional pressure. Yet it is also true that Shashi uncle was very busy during that period. 


At the same time, Rajesh Khanna was ready to give his left arm to do a film with Raj Kapoor.  In such a scenario,  I wonder if papa's decision to cast a Kapoor had something to do with our 'tandav' committee,'Rishi Kapoor said. 


Rishi Kapoor said that he never got along with Rajesh Khanna at that time. 


'Although I cannot think of any valid reason for now, I never got along with Kakaji. He did me no harm and I can see today that it was all my doing.. So, why did I dislike him?  The only reason I can think of it that he stole my first leading lady(Dimple) before our film was even released and I was probably possessive of her. 


However,  I do not think my objections to Kakaji had to do with Dimple alone.  No one really liked Rajesh Khanna in those days.  I had seen him  ridicule my father during an outdoor shoot of Bobby. Dimple was married to him by then and my father had to seek his permission to shoot the remaining scenes with her. I had to see my father fawn over him. That unpleasant memory stayed with me and I feared a repeat of such scenes if he joined the cast,''Rishi Kapoor said. 


'Still I have to concede that he was genuinely fond of papa and would have given anything to have a Raj Kapoor film on his resume, 'Rishi Kapoor , however,  added. 


Produced and directed by Raj Kapoor, Satyam Shivam Sundaram, a social drama about the differences between physical and spiritual love, starred Shashi Kapoor and Zeenat Aman in lead roles. 

The film is considered one of the landmark movies in Raj Kapoor's repertoire. 


Also Read 


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