The Kapoor brothers came together on the occasion of the launch of their sister Ritu Nanda’s book on father Raj Kapoor. The book, Raj Kapoor: The One and Only Showman, is pegged as a revealing and engaging read.
Some of the insights shared by Ritu…

A busy filmmaker meant a father who was hardly seen. When she was growing up, her mother, Krishna, also kept her away from the industry. “If and when we communicated, it was through notes that I would place under his pillow before I went to sleep," Nanda said in an interview to Mid-Day.

The book has a revelation by the late Shashi Kapoor, the last of the legendary trio of brothers including Raj and Shammi. Apparently Shashi was slapped by "Raj-ji", when he used foul language while talking to his mum, Ramsarni. “My brother had always lavished affection on me. Moreover, I had never been hit by either of my parents. I shut myself up in a room and howled. Raj-ji tried to console me, but when I wouldn't stop crying, he also burst into tears,” Shashi recalled.

Raj Kapoor himself spoke with honesty about his wife Krishna’s loyal affection despite his lapses. “When I sit back at the end of the day, I feel very sorry for all the pain that I have given you,” the Showman addressed his wife. “How can I bring those days back for you? But show business is such that a woman has to be understanding because there are constant emotional involvements, because the work is such. A lesser woman would have deserted me long ago. It is Krishna who has made my home.”

His memorable first glimpse of Nargis was also recounted. “On my first meeting with Nargis, at her Marine Drive flat, after ringing the doorbell, I stood there with bated breath. The door opened and what did I see? An angel standing before me. Woh kisi pari se kam nahin thi.” He instantly signed her for his 1948 film Aag — which introduced Indian cinema to one of its best onscreen pairs. Ritu maintains, “My father had a lot of respect for Nargisji. They both made a glorious pair and were immensely talented. Papa was always very involved with the actress he worked with, because he believed that actors can be honed best by the director.”

The book also reveals Kapoor's other interests, such as his enthusiasm for cricket, and his love for farming. He intended to retire to his farm, Raj Bagh, in Pune, one day. It remained a dream…