Raj Kapoor is widely regarded as one of the greatest filmmakers in the history of Indian cinema. For many in the industry, a word of praise from him would have been nothing short of a dream come true. A similar moment presented itself in the life of actor-writer-director Vijay Anand—popularly known as Goldie Anand—the younger brother of legendary actor Dev Anand. However, in a rather strange turn of events, Raj Kapoor reportedly never acknowledged Vijay Anand in person, despite praising him profusely behind his back prompting Vijay to believe he was ‘insecure’.
The incident took place around the release of Vijay Anand’s fifth film, Guide—an adaptation of RK Narayan’s 1958 novel The Guide. While the English-language version of the film, failed at the box office, the Hindi adaptation went on to become a landmark in Indian cinema. Recently, Mohan Churiwala, one of Dev Anand’s closest friends and associates, recalled the episode in a conversation with Vickey Lalwani.
Recounting what Vijay Anand once told him, Churiwala said, “Goldie sahab shared this story with me. He said that for a commoner, someone far removed from the industry, Raj Kapoor is like God. But when it came to interacting with fellow filmmakers, he would become a little insecure.”
To explain his point, Vijay Anand narrated an unusual incident that occurred soon after Guide released. According to Churiwala, Dev Anand received a phone call from Raj Kapoor at around 2 am. When the house help answered the phone, Raj Kapoor insisted on speaking to Dev Anand, threatening to come over if the call wasn’t connected. Initially annoyed, Dev Anand eventually picked up the call, only to hear that Raj Kapoor urgently wanted to watch Guide.
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Dev Anand offered to send the film print the next morning, but Raj Kapoor insisted on watching it immediately. Since he was reportedly intoxicated, Dev Anand agreed and went back to sleep. Fifteen minutes later, Raj Kapoor called again to check whether the print had been dispatched. Dev Anand understood that he will have to send the print to RK Studios and got it done.
“At around 6 am, after finishing the film, Raj Kapoor reportedly called Dev Anand once again, praising both the film and Vijay Anand. He told Dev Anand, ‘You are so lucky to have such a talented brother.’ He was crying on the phone. Dev Anand, who was initially annoyed for being woken up again and again by Kapoor on the same night, felt better as Raj Kapoor praising a film meant achieving something big as a filmmaker and producer.”
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Shortly thereafter, during a social gathering attended by Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand—still basking in the praise—sent Vijay Anand to greet him personally. However, to Goldie’s shock, Raj Kapoor pretended not to recognise him. After Vijay introduced himself, Raj Kapoor casually asked, “What have you been doing? How far has your education come?”
A stunned Vijay Anand replied that he was making films and had recently directed Guide, whose print had been sent to him. Raj Kapoor feigned ignorance and said, “Oh, okay. I’ll watch it and let you know.” The moment proved deeply embarrassing for Goldie, while Dev Anand later tried to brush it off by suggesting that Raj Kapoor might have been in a different mood.
The awkwardness did not end there. Around the same time, Dev Anand’s sister, Boney Anand, was invited to Raj Kapoor’s house for a puja. During the gathering, Raj Kapoor once again spoke highly of Vijay Anand in front of her.
Boney later returned home and excitedly relayed the praise to her brother. Still unconvinced, Vijay Anand hesitated when she suggested they visit Raj Kapoor’s house for dinner that very night. After repeated insistence, he finally agreed, hoping this time Raj Kapoor would acknowledge him.
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However, history repeated itself. Upon meeting Vijay Anand once again, Raj Kapoor reportedly asked the same questions—“What have you been doing lately? Where are you studying?”—as if they had never met before. The repeated snub left both siblings speechless, and the incident was never discussed again.
While the English version of Guide failed commercially, the Hindi adaptation went on to create history. At the 14th Filmfare Awards, the film won four major honours—Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Actress—after receiving nine nominations.
In 2007, nearly 42 years after its original release, Guide was screened at the Cannes Film Festival, further cementing its legacy as one of Indian cinema’s finest achievements.
Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand at a gathering. (Photo: Express Archive)