When Raaj Kumar took on Bollywood stars:Clash with Dharmendra, mocked Bappi Lahiri's jewellery, called Amitabh Bachchan's suit a 'curtain'

"Yeh Kaun Hain? (Who is this?)" As soon as Salman Khan's question was heard, the answer came- "Jani..., Apne Abba Se Jaakar Puchna Hum Kaun Hain (Go ask your father who I am)" This was Raaj Kumar, a star known as much for his fearless wit as his acting. He was an actor who would increase his fees even after a flop film. He used to say, 'Whether my film runs or not, I haven't failed.' Sometimes he would openly mock Bappi Lahiri for wearing jewellery, and sometimes he would tear the shirts of actors like Govinda to make handkerchiefs. His frankness and quick wit were such that even big actors hesitated to speak in front of him. And his talent and aura were such that even superstars like Raajinikanth once hesitated to do a film with him. "Hum tumhein maarenge... aur zaroor maarenge. Lekin woh bandook bhi hamari hogi, goli bhi hamari hogi, aur waqt bhi hamara hoga."(Saudagar, 1991) "Hum tumhein woh maut denge, jo na kisi kanoon ki kitaab mein likhi hogi aur na hi kabhi kisi mujrim ne sochi hogi."(Tirangaa, 1992) These dialogues of Raaj Kumar were also written keeping in mind his commanding personality and heavy voice. But sadly, the voice that ruled millions of hearts became a torment in his last days. He passed away in 1996 due to throat cancer. Raaj Kumar believed that death is a private matter, which is why he expressed a final wish to keep his illness and death a secret. Today, 30 years have passed since Raaj Kumar's demise. On the occasion of his death anniversary, read those anecdotes of his outspokenness and commanding personality. Anecdote-1 Compared Amitabh Bachchan's suit to a curtain at a party In the 60s, Raaj Kumar was at the peak of his career. More than his acting was praised, his outspokenness was discussed. Everyone hesitated to talk much in front of him. There was a time when Amitabh Bachchan was new to films. The two met at a party. Amitabh wore a foreign three-piece suit at the party. Raaj Kumar came closer and asked, "Where did you get this suit tailored?" Amitabh thought he was complimenting him, so he quickly wanted to tell him the address, but then Raaj Kumar, looking at the suit from top to bottom, said, "I also need curtains stitched." Amitabh Bachchan couldn't say anything to this remark and smiled, then left. Anecdote - 2 Govinda's gifted shirt was torn and made into a handkerchief At the beginning of his career, Govinda worked with Raaj Kumar in the 1989 film 'Jangbaaz'. One day on set, Raaj Kumar saw Govinda and said, "Your shirt is very splendid." Govinda was extremely happy to receive praise from a big star like Raaj Kumar. He quickly said, "Sir, if you like this shirt, then please keep it." Govinda immediately took off his shirt and gave it to Raaj Kumar. For a new actor like Govinda, it was a big deal that he gifted a shirt to Raaj Kumar and that Raaj Kumar would actually wear his gifted shirt. Two days later, Govinda's heart broke when Raaj Kumar had torn his gifted shirt and made it into a handkerchief. This anecdote was narrated by director Mehul Kumar in an interview. Anecdote - 3 Seeing Mithun Chakraborty, the producer said - "Which struggling actor did you bring?" Mithun Chakraborty got a small role in the film 'Goliyon Ke Badshah' with the then-star Raaj Kumar in the 80s. Raaj Kumar's attitude towards new actors was not good at that time. On the very first day of shooting, when Mithun was ready in his costume, Raaj Kumar saw him and said to the director - "Granted the role is small, but why did you bring some struggling actor for it? You should have taken a good actor, who is this you've brought?" Mithun felt very bad about this. He went straight to Raaj Kumar and said - "The struggling actor you are talking about, that's me." Seeing Mithun, Raaj Kumar laughed and said - Where have you come here to act? This is not a child's play. To this, Mithun said - I know this is not a child's play. I have been acting for 7 years. One day I will also become a big actor. Hearing this, Raaj Kumar laughed again and said - Let me know if you need any small role. Anecdote - 4 Seeing Bappi Lahiri's jewellery, he said - You could have worn a mangalsutra too Legendary singer Bappi Lahiri was also famous for wearing heavy gold jewellery. One day at a party, Raaj Kumar's eyes fell on Bappi Da. When Bappi went closer to meet him, Raaj Kumar looked him up and down and said, "Wow, fantastic! You're wearing one piece of jewellery after another, only a mangalsutra is missing, you should wear that too." Anecdote - 5 When Salman couldn't recognise him, he said - Ask your father who I am In 1989, Salman Khan's film 'Maine Pyar Kiya' was a superhit. Producer Sooraj Barjatya hosted a party, which was also attended by Raaj Kumar. This was a matter of pride for Barjatya. He immediately took Salman Khan to introduce him to Raaj Kumar, but in the euphoria of success, Salman couldn't recognize him. Salman gave a cold response and then, in hushed tones, asked Sooraj Barjatya - "Who is this?" Raaj Kumar overheard this and replied himself, saying, "Go home and ask your father who I am, then you will know." Anecdote - 6 When the comedian got too many dialogues, Raaj Kumar got angry and spoke all the dialogues himself. During the shooting of Maryada (1971), Raaj Kumar once again displayed his trademark confidence. In one scene, comedian Mohan Choti, who played a servant, was supposed to thank his master for paying for his mother's treatment and ask if he should prepare hot water for his bath. During rehearsals, Raaj Kumar reportedly objected, saying, "Have our days come to this, that Mohan Choti will speak and we will just listen?" When the cameras rolled, he changed the entire dialogue on the spot. Instead, he delivered the lines himself, asking about the servant's mother before casually ordering him to heat water for his bath. Anecdote- 7 Man who harassed girl was beaten so badly, he died Raaj Kumar was born on October 8, 1926, in Balochistan, British India. His real name was Kulbhushan Pandit. In 1940, Raaj Kumar was appointed as a Sub-Inspector in the Bombay Police. Seeing his physique and fair complexion, friends often suggested he go into films. Around this time, Raj Kapoor offered him the film Awaara, which Raaj Kumar refused. One day, on a holiday, Raaj Kumar was strolling in Juhu with a friend and his girlfriend. Suddenly, some rogue boys harassed the friend's girlfriend. Raaj Kumar became furious at this and beat one boy so severely that he died on the spot. Raaj Kumar was accused of murder. Raza Murad's father was Raaj Kumar's friend, so he often accompanied him to every hearing. After a long time, Raaj Kumar was acquitted of the case. Some time later, at his friend's insistence, Raaj Kumar did a photoshoot, which led him to get the 1952 film Rangeeli. This film didn't do particularly well, but Raaj Kumar started getting continuous film offers. Over time, Raaj Kumar started getting big films, but Raj Kapoor always resented him for rejecting Awaara years ago. Despite being two important personalities in the same industry, they never spoke. Years later, they came face to face at Prem Chopra's wedding party, where Raj Kapoor in a drunken state, started scolded Raaj Kumar. The argument escalated so much that Raaj Kapoor shouted at Raaj Kumar, saying - You are a murderer. Raaj Kumar gained recognition from the 1957 film Mother India, and later films like Waqt, Oonche Log, Humraaz, Neel Kamal, and Heer Ranjha made him a star. Anecdote- 8 Dilip Kumar slapped him, and they didn't speak for 33 years When his film Paigham was released, in which he played the role of Dilip Kumar's elder brother. For one scene, Dilip Kumar had to slap him. As soon as 'Action' was called, Dilip Kumar slapped Raaj Kumar's cheek with full force, which hit him hard. Raaj Kumar, in front of whom people hesitated to even speak, was shaken by the slap. He assumed that Dilip Kumar had done it intentionally and ended his friendship with Dilip Kumar. The two did not speak for 33 years. Both gave each other tough competition in the industry. After 33 years, Subhash Ghai reconciled the two. When Dilip Kumar was called for the film, he liked the story. But he put a condition of handling Raaj Kumar during the shoot. When Raaj Kumar came to know that Dilip Kumar was part of this film, he was very happy. He also said- "Jani, if I consider anyone a better actor after myself in this industry, it is only Dilip Kumar." Anecdote- 9 Rajinikanth, Naseeruddin Shah refused to work together Due to Raaj Kumar's imposing personality, many big actors hesitated to work with him. That's why when Rajinikanth was offered the film Tiranga with Raaj Kumar, he called director Mehul Kumar and said, "Mehul ji, I have only one problem - how will I be able to work with Raaj Sahab? If there's some tension on set, what will I do? Please forgive me." When Mehul Kumar offered the film to Naseeruddin Shah, the reply was - "Mehul Bhai, I have no problem with you. But I can't work with Raaj Sahab." Finally, the film was given to Nana Patekar. Nana Patekar put a condition for doing the film - "If Raaj Sahab interferes on set, I will leave the set." One day, Raaj Kumar called Mehul Kumar and asked - "Who is doing this film?" The reply was - Nana Patekar. To this, Raaj Kumar said - “Oh Mehul! He has a very bad temper. I've heard he abuses on set.” Anecdote-10 When Dharmendra grabbed his collar, he left the set, leaving the film incomplete On the first day of shooting for the film 'Kajal', Raaj Kumar looked at Dharmendra and said, "Jani, we needed a hero for the film's shooting, not a wrestler." Hearing this, Dharmendra got very angry, but he politely asked him not to make fun of him. Still, when Raaj Kumar didn't listen, Dharmendra grabbed his collar. Seeing this, everyone present on the set was stunned. Later, the film was completed without Raaj Kumar.