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The Kapoor family had carefully preserved the lantern for decades and when they recently met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of Raj Kapoor’s 100th birth anniversary, they presented the cherished memorabilia to him
The Kapoors present the iconic lantern to PM Narendra Modi. (PTI)
Remember the memorable lantern that Raj Kapoor carried in his black-and-white classic ‘Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai’ in 1960?
You can now see that lantern at an exhibition at the ‘Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya’ on March 1. The Kapoor family had carefully preserved the lantern for decades and when they recently met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of Raj Kapoor’s 100th birth anniversary, they presented the cherished memorabilia to him. In a fitting tribute to the cinematic icon, the lantern has now been donated to the Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya by the prime minister.
The lantern will be showcased at the exhibition on March 1 to allow visitors to immerse themselves in the legacy of one of India’s most iconic film personalities, offering a glimpse into the life of Raj Kapoor through this heartfully preserved collection. The exhibition is expected to draw the attention of both film enthusiasts and those eager to learn more about India’s cinematic history.
In a statement, the Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya said the lantern represents Raj Kapoor’s contribution to the world of cinema but also strengthens the connection between India’s rich cultural heritage and the evolution of modern India. It added that the lantern stands as a testament to the Kapoor family’s lasting influence on Indian entertainment, and will serve as a constant reminder of Raj Kapoor’s immense impact on the film industry.
Last December, the Kapoor family had a heart-warming interaction with the prime minister, a meeting that honoured Raj Kapoor’s unparalleled contribution to Indian cinema and his enduring legacy.
Reema Kapoor, daughter of Raj Kapoor, had then thanked PM Modi for sparing valuable time to meet the family on the occasion of centenary celebrations of Raj Kapoor. Reema Kapoor had also then recited a few lines of a song from Raj Kapoor’s movie and said the entire India will witness the love, warmth and respect given to the Kapoor family by PM Modi during their meet.
Hailing the great contribution of Raj Kapoor, PM Modi had welcomed the Kapoor family and remarked that the 100th birth anniversary celebrations symbolised the saga of the golden journey of Indian film industry. He added that the movie ‘Neel Kamal’ was made in 1947 and now we were heading to 2047 and the contribution during these 100 years was momentous. Touching upon the term ‘soft power’ used in the context of diplomacy, Modi highlighted that Raj Kapoor had established the soft power of India at a time when the term itself was not coined. He added that this was an immense contribution of Raj Kapoor in service of India.
The prime minister then also urged the Kapoor family to make a movie, especially catering to Central Asia, about Raj Kapoor who continues to mesmerise people there even after so many years. He added that Raj Kapoor had an impact on their lives. Modi highlighted to the family that there was a huge potential for Indian cinema in Central Asia and there was a need to work towards tapping the same.
