Nargis and Raj Kapoor worked together in 18 films.
Raj Kapoor’s wife told Nargis that she understood her attraction for her husband.
Late veteran actor Raj Kapoor’s affair with Nargis is quite well-known among movie buffs. After working together on 18 films like Barsaat, Shree 420, Awaara, and Jagte Raho, among others, the two actors developed romantic feelings for one another. However, their relationship was marred by controversy as Raj Kapoor was already married to Krishna and they had a son together, Rishi Kapoor.
The affair soon ended and Nargis tied the knot with Sunil Dutt. She never worked with Raj Kapoor again, but their relationship caused a rift between the Dutts and the Kapoors. This went on for 24 years till she was invited to Rishi Kapoor’s wedding with Neetu Kapoor.
In his memoir Khullam Khulla, Rishi Kapoor recalled how Krishna made Nargis comfortable at the wedding. “Nargis-ji had not set foot in RK Studios after she completed Jagte Raho in 1956. However, that day, she came with Sunil Dutt to attend the ceremony. She was apparently very nervous about attending a Kapoor event after twenty-four years. My mother, sensing her hesitation, reportedly took her aside and said, ‘My husband is a handsome man. He is also a romantic. I can understand the attraction. I know what you are thinking, but please don’t beat yourself up over the past. You have come to my home on a happy occasion and we are here today as friends,’” he wrote.
Rishi Kapoor also wrote, “I was very young when my father had an affair with Nargis Ji, and so was not affected by it. I don’t remember feeling anything was amiss at home either. But I do remember moving into the Natraj Hotel on Marine Drive with my mom during the time Papa was involved with Vyjayanthimala.” Rishi Kapoor made honest detailings about his father’s affairs in his memoir.
Raj Kapoor passed away in 1988 at the age of 63. His son, Rishi Kapoor, died on April 30, 2020, after a recurrence of leukaemia.
