Anil Kapoor remembers Krishna Raj Kapoor: 'Never seen a better host in my life'
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Veteran actor Anil Kapoor has paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Krishna Raj Kapoor, wife of legendary filmmaker Raj Kapoor, describing her as someone who embodied generosity and warmth at the dining table like no one else he had encountered. Kapoor made the remarks on his television show India Ke Top 1% – The Anil Kapoor Show, currently airing on Star Plus and JioHotstar.
What Sparked the Memory
The emotional reminiscence was triggered by a contestant named Nishant, who revealed on the show that if he won ₹1 crore, he would first repay his home loan and then open a restaurant. Nishant told Kapoor: 'Mujhe khana banana nahi aata, lekin mujhe logon ko khilana bahut pasand hai' — meaning he does not know how to cook, but he loves feeding people.
Those words immediately transported Kapoor back to memories of Krishna Raj Kapoor, who was a close friend of his mother and whom he regarded as a maternal figure throughout his life.
Anil Kapoor's Tribute in His Own Words
Speaking with visible affection, Kapoor described Krishna Raj Kapoor's hosting as an art form driven entirely by love. He said: 'Krishna aunty meri mummy ki best friend, Rishi aur Randhir Kapoor ji ki mother, mere liye maa samaan thi' — acknowledging her as his mother's closest friend, the mother of actors Rishi and Randhir Kapoor, and a maternal presence in his own life.
He continued: 'Maine apni zindagi mein unse behtar host nahi dekha. Woh bade dil aur pyaar se sabko khana khilati thi. Khilane mein jo maza hai na, mujhe lagta hai woh khaane mein bhi nahi hai. Isiliye kehte hain, dil ka raasta pet se hokar jaata hai' — translating to: he had never encountered a better host; she fed everyone with immense generosity; and there is perhaps greater joy in feeding someone than in eating yourself, which is why the saying goes that the way to the heart is through the stomach.
Krishna Raj Kapoor's Place in Bollywood's Social History
The late Krishna Raj Kapoor was widely regarded as the quiet anchor of one of Hindi cinema's most storied families — the Kapoor dynasty. Her husband, the late Raj Kapoor, built RK Studios into an institution, while she is remembered by colleagues and contemporaries for maintaining a home that was as welcoming as it was legendary. Accounts from multiple industry veterans over the years have consistently described her hospitality as exceptional, making Kapoor's recollection consistent with a broader portrait of her persona.
Notably, Anil Kapoor's family and the Kapoor family share ties that go back decades, lending his tribute a personal authenticity beyond the immediate television context.
About the Show
India Ke Top 1% – The Anil Kapoor Show airs on Star Plus and streams on JioHotstar. The format places contestants in conversation with Kapoor around questions of aspiration and money, often drawing out personal stories that the host connects to his own experiences in the industry.