The Kapoor family, known for their iconic Bollywood legacy, met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and what was supposed to be a celebration of Indian cinema turned into an X (formerly Twitter) storm, with many questioning the real reason behind this high-profile meeting.
The meeting, centred on the upcoming Raj Kapoor Film Festival, was intended to honour the legacy of the legendary ‘Showman of Hindi Cinema’ and showcase his films from December 13-15, 2024.
Social media users quickly criticised the meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, placing the Kapoor family at the centre of controversy.
In a video circulating online, members of the Kapoor family shared their experience of meeting the Indian Prime Minister, which many X users criticised as an act of “cringe fawning” over Modi. They questioned why Bollywood stars seem to be getting closer to the government.
Some people pointed out that Bollywood has been making films to please a fan base that judges them for personal things, like their children’s names.
Critics pointed out that Bollywood stars’ close ties with the BJP, a party accused of promoting anti-Muslim views, have fueled much of the backlash. This is especially relevant given the way BJP supporters targeted Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor when they named their son Taimoor. The name, tied to the historical figure Taimur, led to harassment from BJP trolls, who accused the couple of supporting a Muslim legacy. Many see the backlash against the Kapoor family’s meeting with Modi as part of a broader issue concerning Bollywood’s relationship with a government often criticized for its stance on religious minorities.
One X user wrote, “Bollywood stars have actively and consistently grovelled before the Modi govt, producing a series of films that cater to the same fan base who harass them for naming their children Dua or Taimur. Craven is too mild a descriptor for them.”
Another user asked, “My question is, what’s the effing point of this grovel fest?? Did they get any benefits for the Bollywood industry?? Or, is it just an bhajan programme to inflate the fragile ego of the chai wala??”
One mocked the meeting, adding, “Actors meeting greatest actor.”
Others pointed out, “Why are these people important enough for the PM to spend time with?? What is their contribution to the world in the grand scheme of things?? ZERO.”
“100 years of Raj Kapoor, so surely the celebrations must be with Modi… that makes total sense,” a user wrote.
While the Kapoor family continues to celebrate Raj Kapoor’s legacy, many people question the authenticity of Bollywood’s ties with the government and the true motives behind these high-profile meetings.
Earlier, the Tamasha actor announced a significant tribute to his late grandfather Raj Kapoor, revealing that the Raj Kapoor Film Festival will run from December 13 to December 15.
The festival will showcase restored versions of 10 iconic films by the legendary actor-filmmaker.
“We are organizing the Raj Kapoor Film festival across India. It’s a great way to celebrate his legacy and preserve his contribution for future generations,” Ranbir said.
Ranbir also talked about his plans of making a biopic on the late Raj Kapoor, a project that he has been “considering for some time”.
I talk to many people, including director Sanjay Leela Bhansali about how to make a biopic on Mr Raj Kapoor. A biopic is about accurately depicting a person’s life, including their relationships, hardships, and low points, not simply about their achievements.
