Tag: raj kapoor

  • Here’s why Laila Zuberi turned down Raj Kapoor’s Bollywood offer

    Here’s why Laila Zuberi turned down Raj Kapoor’s Bollywood offer

    What would you do if a Bollywood legend like Raj Kapoor offered you a role in his film?  For veteran actress Laila Zuberi, the answer was simple: stay true to Pakistan. 

    Appearing as a guest on  Tabish Hashmi’s Hasna Mana Hai, Laila revealed a significant offer she once received and declined from Bollywood legend Raj Kapoor.

    One of the audience members asked, “You have done many famous and hit dramas, Mashallah. Have you ever received an opportunity or an offer from another country, and you chose Pakistan over that?”

    To this, Laila replied, “Yes, absolutely, something like that happened once. We were invited to the Sharjah Cup, where we met Raj Kapoor Sahab, and he offered me a role in his film. 

    “We even had some pictures taken, and he asked me for an autograph. He said they show our dramas at his Pune Academy for teaching purposes. It was a very proud moment for me, but I thought that I should work for Pakistan.”

    In the same conversation, the Jafaa actress shared a surprising and slightly unsettling experience with an overly excited fan.

    “Another time, a fan followed me around so much that she said, ‘I want to wash your feet,’ and she was that persistent. One day, she came to me and said her only wish was for me to give her the water I used to wash my feet so she could drink it. I was quite disgusted by the thought and couldn’t bring myself to do it,” Laila shared.

    The host, Tabish Hashmi, asked, “I heard that beggars have often interacted with you in life. Once, when you were playing the role of a gypsy in a drama, a group of nomads approached us. Where was this?”

    Laila Zuberi also spoke about her immersive acting experiences, including playing a nomadic girl in the drama Khak Ja.

    “This wasn’t on set. We were shooting a drama called Khak Ja in Quetta. I was playing the character of a nomadic girl wearing tattered clothes and looking rugged. We were shooting on the streets, and many beggars gathered around us. The producer asked them to move because the shoot was in progress. The beggars replied, ‘You’re making something for her. Why not make something for us too?’” she explained.

    Laila Zuberi starred in dramas such as  Aabroo, Chhaon,  Koshish, Guest House, Durr-e Shehwar,  Muhabbat Gumshuda Meri, and  Pagal Khana, and is currently starring in Jafaa.

  • Government begins restoration of Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor’s Peshawar homes

    Government begins restoration of Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor’s Peshawar homes

    The restoration and renovation work of Bollywood legends Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor’s ancestral homes in Peshawar has started after the government got possession of the properties.

    Raj Kapoor’s ancestral home, known as Kapoor Haveli, and Dilip Kumar’s ancestral residence are situated in the Qissa Khwani Bazaar area of Peshawar.

    As per Geo News, the government is planning to restore the homes to their original state.

    Initially, the debris from both houses was removed to begin the restoration work.

    Meanwhile, Dilip Kumar’s nephew Fawad Ishaq lauded the government’s decision to restore his uncle and Raj Kapoor’s ancestral home.

    He further said Dilip Kumar’s attachment to Peshawar never diminished.

    Read More – Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu: A love story that lasted over five decades

    The veteran Bollywood actor died of long ailment in July 2020. After his death, his wife Saira Banu, 77, has been diagnosed with a heart problem, termed as acute coronary syndrome.

  • Restoration work on Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor’s ancestral homes to start after Eid

    The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has issued final notices to the owners of Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor’s ancestral houses as the government plans to take over the properties after Eid, Geo News has reported.

    As per details, KP Archaeology and Museums Department Director Dr Abdul Samad has said that restoration work on both houses will take place following the take over. 

    Dr Abdul Samad added that the “deputy commissioner has sent the final notices to the landlord”.

    Meanwhile, the owners of the properties will be summoned on May 18, and they can demand the KP government or the court for a higher price and can submit their objections.

    Earlier this year in January, Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mahmood Khan approved Rs 23.56 million to purchase the ancestral houses of two Bollywood legends Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor in Peshawar, but the owner of Kapoor Haveli in Peshawar refused to sell the house to the government at the price set by the authorities.

    As per reports, the value of Raj Kapoor house is Rs 15 million, while Kumar’s home is worth Rs 8.56 million. Both houses will be converted into museums after restoration work.

  • Owner of Kapoor Haveli demands Rs 2 billion for property

    The owner of Kapoor Haveli in Peshawar has refused to sell the house to the government at the price set by the authorities.

    According to a report in The News, the owner of the mansion Haji Ali Qadir is asking for Rs 2 billion for the property whereas, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has set a price of Rs 15 million for the house.

    Speaking to the publication, Qadir had said that the price set by the government was ridiculous as “half a marla of land is not available in Dhaki Nalbandi near historical Qissa Khwani bazaar for Rs15 million and the government is giving us Rs15 million for a six marla house”. He added that the government has yet not made any formal contact for property and that he is getting news about it from the media.

    He further shared that his father Haji Khushal had bought the property in 1965 through a government auction.

    “When our father bought the house, the gold was Rs50 per tola,” said Qadir. “In this house, diyar wood has been used which is very expensive.”

    Read more – Rishi Kapoor’s unfulfilled wish: a visit to Pakistan

    On the other hand Director Archeology and Museum, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Dr Abdul Samad said the government has fixed the price of the house at DC rate as plots are bought and sold at DC rate in the area, adding that the government cannot pay more than the said price.

    Dr Samad further commented that if the owner has an objection to the price, he can submit an application to the Deputy Commissioner.

    Previously, when it had been reported that the owner is demanding at least two billion rupees for the historic haveli, the province’s archaeology department had said that it will use legal powers to purchase the Kapoor Haveli as well as Dilip Kumar’s house if needed.

    Read more – Dilip Kumar recalls memories of his ancestral home in Peshawar

    Meanwhile, Chief Minister KP Mahmood Khan recently approved funds of Rs 23.56 million to purchase the ancestral houses of Bollywood legends Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor in Peshawar. Both houses will be converted into museums after restoration work.

  • KP govt approves funds to buy Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor’s ancestral homes

    Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mahmood Khan has approved Rs 23.56 million to purchase the ancestral houses of two Bollywood legends Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor in Peshawar.

    As per reports, the value of Raj Kapoor house is Rs 15 million, while Kumar’s home is worth Rs 8.56 million. Both houses will be converted into museums after restoration work.

    The owner of the Kapoor Haveli Hajji Ali Qadir had earlier demanded at least two billion rupees for the mansion in Qissa Khawani Bazaar from the government. The province’s archaeology department at the time had said that it will use legal powers to purchase the Kapoor Haveli as well as Dilip Kumar’s house if needed.

    The department had earlier declared the two houses as national heritage sites that were recognised internationally.

    Earlier, Kumar himself took to social media to express his excitement over the government’s decision. The legendary actor asked his fans living in Peshawar to share photos of his ancestral house on Twitter.

    Not only Kumar but his wife, Saira Banu also appreciated the government’s move to conserve the actor’s house.