Ranbir Kapoor tells Subhash Ghai how his grandfather Raj Kapoor wrote a letter to Vyjayanthimala: 'She refused to do his film Sangam and...'

Day two of Subhash Ghai’s annual ‘Celebrate Cinema’ festival at Whistling Woods International (WWI) was a profound journey into the golden age of Indian cinema, headlined by an emotional tribute to legendary filmmakers Raj Kapoor, ‘The Greatest Showman,’ and the unparalleled auteur, Guru Dutt.

The session, moderated by Subhash Ghai, featured superstar Ranbir Kapoor—alongside noted director Rahul Rawail. The esteemed guests shared personal memories and cinematic analyses, highlighting the enduring impact of both legends.

Ranbir Kapoor shared an anecdote during the music session of film Sangam “I remember while making the music of Sangam my grandfather Raj Kapoor wanted Vyjayanthimala to play the role of Radha and she didn’t agreed due to some reason. In those days people used to send telegram. So Mr. Raj Kapoor in frustration send a telegram to Vyjayanthimala and said ‘Bol Radha Bol Sangam Hoga Ki Nahi?’ And the actress wrote back saying ‘Hoga, Hoga Hoga.’ And that became the lyrics of the song.”

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Ranbir shared his method of acting and said “I was born in a film family so invariable from a very young age I learnt cinema. I didn’t had in my mind to become an actor. I just took it for granted watching my family members and thought if they are all actors then I will also become one. And I got this thought that to become an actor you don’t need to study (laughed).”

He added “I went to a film school Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York and spent a year there. When I came to Mumbai I assisted Mr. Bhansali on black. I think between in these four years I got to know what it takes to be a working professional. Coming from this family I knew if I would not have a individualistic approach I will not succeed in this film industry.”

He concluded “The method keeps evolving. The method I learnt at Lee Strasberg I didn’t quite really understand it. When I saw Mr. Bhansali directing actors like Mr. Bachchan and Rani and saw him put a shot I was noticing and studying it. There is no fixed method you are as actors have to be flexible. You have to be an employee of the director’s vision. When I worked with different directors in my career my method kept changing with them. And of course my debut with Subhash Sir you because you let me improvise because I was 4 years old.”