Veteran actor Raza Murad has worked with some of the biggest names in cinema, and he sees a common thread between two of its most celebrated storytellers. Speaking about Raj Kapoor and Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the seasoned actor, who never shies away from speaking his mind, says both filmmakers are perfectionists in his eyes.
Raza Murad calls Sanjay Leela Bhansali a perfectionist
Speaking to Vickey Lalwani, Raza called Sanjay Leela Bhansali “a perfectionist”. When the host brought up reports that the filmmaker is moody and loses his temper, the actor explained, “See, about the anger, when you are consistently unable to understand what he’s trying to say, then he loses his cool. It’s not like he is angry right from the start. And, of course, every person has their own temperament, and that anger isn’t personal; it’s related to work because it isn’t happening properly. So, it’s fine if he’s getting angry. And, it’s not like he only loses his temper at his assistants. I have seen him shouting at bigger stars as well.”Asked whether he had seen Bhansali raise his voice at Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone or Priyanka Chopra, Raza replied, “Yes, he wants what he wants, and of course, I have seen him getting angry at stars as well.”
Raza Murad compares Bhansali with Raj Kapoor
Comparing Bhansali with Raj Kapoor, Raza said neither filmmaker was willing to compromise on his work. Asked how he would rate the two, the actor stated, “Both of them are perfectionists. They want what they want. Time, shift, money, set, dates were of least importance to them. It’s okay if it takes eight days instead of four days. And when they are on set, they mean business. ‘Hum kaam karne ke liye aaye hain (We have come here to work). And this has happened twice with me.”
Raza Murad recalls working with Raj Kapoor in ‘Prem Rog ’
He then looked back on his first time working with Raj Kapoor, in ‘Prem Rog’ (1982). “When I was working for the first time with Raj saab in Prem Rog. It was my first day, and ‘meri kya aukaat thi unke saamne‘ (What was my status in front of him!?). Despite stiff opposition from his sons stating that I wouldn’t suit the role… and I was a small-time actor, Raj saab said, ‘Ye role karenge toh Raza saahab hi karenge (If there’s someone who can do this role, it’s only Raza sir). He made me meet everyone on the set like I was some head of the state.”
Raza Murad’s acting career
Raza Murad built his reputation playing supporting and villainous characters. Over the years, his filmography has included ‘Namak Haraam’, ‘Prem Rog’, ‘Ram Teri Ganga Maili’, ‘Khud-Daar’, ‘Ram Lakhan’, ‘Tridev’, ‘Pyar Ka Mandir’, ‘Aankhen’, ‘Mohra’ and ‘Gupt: The Hidden Truth’.
