“Doctors advised Randhir Kapoor to not travel by a helicopter,” says producer Rahul Mittra from the AP 50-years celebration by state’s CM Perna Khandu – Exclusive! – Times of India

Randhir Kapoor did not attend the North East India launch of the Raj Kapoor book launch which was held today as a part of the celebration of 50 years of Arunachal Pradesh. ‘Arjun’ and ‘Betaab’ maker Rahul Rawailwho has written the book in question, Raj Kapoor-The Master At Work, was however present. Sanjay Dutt and Imtiaz Ali are also a part of the celebration. Rahul Mittra, who recently made ‘Torbaaz’ with Dutt, is the state’s brand advisor. AP’s CM Perna Khandu and Assembly Speaker Dorjee Sona also attended and will be present tomorrow as well.

Confirming Randhir’s absence, Mittra shared Randhir’s message that was played at the event. “It was Randhir’s birthday on February 15. He got a bit over-excited and tired. The doctors advised him to not indulge in traveling, especially by a chopper.”

Randhir has said in his message that he’s having a bit of a health issue, hence he’s unable to attend. The senior actor however promised to come to AP at some point of time, once he’s alright. See the video of Randhir’s message below:

ETimes brings you a picture of Mittra, Imtiaz and Rawail traveling by a chopper from Mumbai to Itanagar. The journey happened yesterday, sometime in the afternoon.

Mittra said that Rawail enjoyed flying by a chopper but initially he was a bit cagey with the idea. “Rawail was in fact paranoid. All the chopper shots in his movies are shot by his assistants. He came on my insistence and went on to enjoy the air travel.” Here are some more pictures from the meetings:

Sanjay Dutt was recently in the US. The senior actor will land in Guwahati by a charter plane and from there to Itanagar in a helicopter, to make it for the AP celebration. Mittra and Dutt will speak tomorrow on drug abuse and return to Mumbai together on February 21. Dutt is the brand ambassador of AP.

Imtiaz Ali had a talk on ‘Cinema, History and Reality’ today.

Mittra lost his mother a few days ago. The AP function was a commitment that he had to keep. “She developed dementia, followed by a heart condition. My brothers and I immersed the ashes in Haridwar. She looked after me single-handedly after my father passed away in an air-crash when I was just 16,” Mittra added.

“Tomorrow, we also have a big musical concert by Zubin Nautiyal that will take place in the presence of a large crowd and many senior ministers,” Mittra concluded.