Raza Murad Compares Filmmakers Raj Kapoor and Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Veteran actor Raza Murad says filmmakers Raj Kapoor and Sanjay Leela Bhansali share a strict work style and do not compromise on their vision. In a recent interview, Murad stated that both directors are perfectionists who ignore time limits, shift timings, money, sets, and dates to get the results they want.

Working Style

Murad noted that Bhansali loses his temper on set when people fail to understand him, and this anger is directed at assistants as well as major stars like Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, and Priyanka Chopra. He recalled a similar temper in Raj Kapoor, who would scold heroines like Padmini Kolhapure on the sets of Prem Rog and Mandakini during Ram Teri Ganga Maili. Despite this harshness, actors did not take offense and managed to deliver the required performance.

Early Memories

Recalling his first day working with Raj Kapoor on the 1982 film Prem Rog, Murad said the director stood by him despite opposition from his sons. Kapoor introduced Murad to the entire set with high respect. Murad experienced the same warm welcome from Bhansali on his first day, where the director introduced him to the whole unit.

Box Office Stress

Murad also spoke about the extreme stress Raj Kapoor faced before his films hit theaters, noting that the filmmaker would fall ill and turn pale from worry about the RK Banner, only to recover once the movie was a hit. Kapoor was deeply upset by the failure of Mera Naam Joker at the box office because he felt people's mindsets had changed and they viewed the movie as his autobiography.

Context

Veteran character actors in the Indian film industry often share decades of behind-the-scenes experiences working with legendary directors across different generations. Such accounts offer a rare look at the intense pressure and high standards on major movie sets. Biographical memories of this kind help film fans understand the demanding methods behind classic Indian cinema.