A Phenomenon Unmatched: Ranbir Kapoor Recalls Raj Kapoor’s Mind-Blowing Stardom in Russia

Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor, carrying the weighty legacy of Indian cinema’s First Family, once recounted a phenomenal anecdote about his grandfather, the legendary showman Raj Kapoor, to illustrate a level of global stardom that appears almost mythical today. The story, set in the erstwhile Soviet Union during the premiere of the iconic film Awaara in the 1950s, paints a picture of unparalleled adoration that saw a mob of fans elevate the star’s vehicle and physically carry him to his destination.

Ranbir Kapoor, in a past interview, shared the extraordinary incident as he reflected on the difference between modern, fleeting celebrity and the enduring, profound fame enjoyed by his grandfather.

“When he went to Russia for the premiere of Awaara,” Ranbir recalled, “he came out of the theatre, and there was a huge mob of Russians waiting to see him. He went and sat in his car. And you won’t believe, all these people carried his car and took him to the hotel.”

This spontaneous act of devotion—fans lifting the entire car onto their shoulders—was a testament to the colossal popularity Raj Kapoor commanded in the Soviet Union. His 1951 film Awaara (The Vagabond), with its universal themes of the underdog, social justice, and the triumph of the human spirit, resonated deeply with the Russian populace. The movie’s success was extraordinary, selling an estimated 64 million tickets, and the song “Awaara Hoon” became an anthem across the USSR.

Ranbir used this incredible story to highlight a form of stardom that transcended borders and language barriers, creating a lasting cultural bond. He contrasted this with contemporary fame, noting that the glory of today’s actors is often “so short-lived because there will be another heartthrob after you go.” He emphasized that what his grandfather and his contemporaries achieved “is permanently etched in people’s minds.”

The cultural phenomenon around Raj Kapoor in Russia was not just a brief celebrity craze; it represented the successful debut of Indian cinema as a major soft power on the global stage. It was a time when the Kapoor Sahab was treated less like a star and more like a cultural ambassador, welcomed with an enthusiastic reverence equivalent to the frenzy surrounding The Beatles in the 1960s.

The incredible image of the ‘mob lifting his car’ remains one of the most powerful symbols of Raj Kapoor’s influence, a golden legend passed down through the generations, proving that his stardom was truly of a different, and perhaps unrepeatable, magnitude.