Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 23 (ANI): Veteran actor Biswajit Chatterjee, known for his romantic image, charming screen presence and simple yet effective acting style during Hindi cinema’s golden era, has recalled his association with legendary actor Raaj Kumar and shared an interesting anecdote about the actor’s unique sense of humour.
In an exclusive conversation with ANI, Biswajit remembered working with Raaj Kumar and spoke about his personality off-screen, describing him as a private person with a sharp sense of humour. The two actors shared the screen in the 1967 multi-starrer social drama ‘Nai Roshni’, which also featured Ashok Kumar, Mala Sinha and Tanuja.
Recalling his bond with Raaj Kumar, Biswajit said the actor was fond of him and often addressed him as “Jaani”, a style that was associated with Raaj Kumar’s personality.
“I have done a lot of movies with Raaj Kumar. He used to like me very much. I did ‘Vaasana’, I did ‘Nai Roshni’. He used to call me Jaani..unka style tha..he told me many stories..he was in Bombay police.. I have a very special bond with him...,” Biswajit said.
Sharing a glimpse of Raaj Kumar’s witty personality, Biswajit narrated an incident where the legendary actor complimented a producer’s shirt before turning the praise into a joke.
He recalled, “Subtle joke karte the vo..Kabhi kabhi kisi ko hurt bhi ho jata tha..vo maza lete the..Ek producer aaya to bolta hai (Raaj Kumar) ‘aapka jo yeh material pehna ke aaya bahut khoobsurat hai acha hai chamak raha hai beautiful I like it’, to bola kahan se liya... Humne bhi liya yeh, vo hamara curtain banaya humne (Once a producer came. He(Raaj Kumar) said, ‘The material that you are wearing is very beautiful. It is shining. Beautiful. I like it’. So, where did you get it from?... I also purchased it…made a curtain for us)."
Talking further about Raaj Kumar, Biswajit said, “He had a good sense of humour. He used to make subtle jokes, sometimes sarcastic ones."
Biswajit also recalled an occasion when Raaj Kumar attended a cultural programme he had organised for fundraising, saying the actor's unexpected arrival surprised both him and the audience.
“I organised a programme. Two shows were performed by Kishore Kumar for Kali Mandir as fundraising shows. I also organised a programme with Bengali artists like Sandhya Mukherjee. I brought everyone, including Hemant Kumar. That day, I was shooting with Raaj Kumar. I told the producer, ‘Today I have a show, so I have to leave during lunchtime.’ Raaj Kumar asked, ‘Why are you in such a hurry? Where are you going?’ I told him, ‘I have a show.’ I explained that I was organising a fundraising programme. He said, ‘mujhe bhi bula lete Jaani.. I will come',” he recalled.
The ‘April Fool’ actor continued, “I thought he was joking. The show was going on when suddenly someone came and informed me, ‘Raaj Sahab has arrived for you.’ I went outside and saw him sitting inside the car. He said, ‘Jaani, I told you I would come. I have come.’ I couldn’t believe it.”
“He was happy to meet the Bengali audience. The Bengali audience did not know that he would come, and they were very excited to see Raaj Kumar,” he said.
Biswajit, who became one of the popular romantic heroes of the 1960s with films like ‘Bees Saal Baad’, ‘Kohraa’, ‘Mere Sanam’ and’Kismat’, continues to remain connected with cinema and still enjoys watching films in theatres. (ANI)
“Aapka jo yeh material pehna...Humne curtain bana diya”: Biswajit shares Raaj Kumar’s hilarious take on producer’s shirt
