Raj Kapoor had predicted Dilip Kumar will be an actor

The enduring bond between cinematic legends Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor began long before the silver screen made them household names. Their friendship was rooted in a shared upbringing in Peshawar and a mutual respect that spanned decades. In a candid conversation with Lehren Retro, Dilip Kumar fondly recounted their early days, highlighting how Raj Kapoor had a significant influence on his journey into films. “We come from the same town. I was born in Peshawar, he was born in Peshawar. Our families knew each other,” Dilip shared. He reminisced about their childhood games, particularly soccer matches, where Raj Kapoor’s leadership shone through. “He was the one who always used to say, when we used to play the game of soccer, he was good goalkeeper and a very good referee, particularly when we used to play against British army teams he used to assert himself… all as a little boy,” he recalled with a smile. Raj, even in those early days, envisioned a future in cinema for them both. “So he used to tell me you go into films, we both will go into films,” Dilip said. However, acting wasn’t initially on his radar. “But I said no, because that was not the thing in those times you would aspire to do. So I used to tell him that you go, your father also does the same, so you should follow his footsteps.” Years later, fate brought them together again on a film set. Raj recognised Dilip instantly and reminded him of his childhood prediction. “He said I told you you will be here,” Dilip recalled warmly. “We had a lovely relationship,” he added, reflecting on the depth of their camaraderie. Interestingly, despite their close friendship and towering presence in Hindi cinema, they shared the screen just once — in Andaz (1949), a film that became both a critical and commercial landmark.