New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently met with the Kapoor family who invited him to join them in celebrating cinema icon Raj Kapoor’s 100th birth anniversary. While speaking about the power of movies, PM Modi recounted an incident when former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and veteran leader LK Advani went to watch a Raj Kapoor movie after a poll defeat.

“I remember the impact of films in those days. It was during the Jana Sangh era, and there was an election in Delhi. After the party lost, Advaniji and Atalji said, ‘What should we do now?’ Then they decided, ‘Let’s watch a movie.’ They went to watch Raj Kapoor’s ‘Phir Subah Hogi.'”

The Prime Minister also spoke about Raj Kapoor’s role in establishing India’s “soft power” all over the world. “In 1947, we had ‘Neel Kamal,’ and now as we approach 2047, it reflects the immense contribution of such a vast nation. Today, there is much talk about soft power in diplomacy, but back then, Raj Kapoor had already established India’s soft power in the world even before the world was coined,” he said.

Members of the Kapoor family, including Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Karisma Kapoor, Neetu Kapoor, and Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, were present during the interaction. The video shared by PMO also showed the Kapoor family sharing their experiences after meeting the Prime Minister.

PM Modi suggested the Kapoor family should capture the global impact of Raj Kapoor and his films through visual format.

“Can we do something, probably a film that captures Raj Kapoor’s imprint on the hearts and minds of people of Central Asia… He had a big impact on their lives in Central Asia and I think we should resurrect it and connect it with the new generation. We should do something to link this and I think it is possible,” he said.

The film festival will celebrate the centenary of Raj Kapoor, one of the most iconic figures in Indian cinema, who passed away in 1988. It showcases 10 iconic Raj Kapoor films across 40 cities and 135 cinemas, with a ticket price of Rs 100. The film festival will include screenings of classics such as ‘Aag’, ‘Barsaat’, ‘Awaara’, ‘Shree 420’, and ‘Mera Naam Joker’.

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently interacted with the Kapoor family in Delhi ahead of Raj Kapoor’s birth centenary. Even though many of the members of the Kapoor family, including Raj Kapoor’s daughter Rima Jain, daughter-in-law Neetu Kapoor and his grandchildren were there at the meeting, the absence of Taimur and Jeh – the sons of Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan – was noticed by the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister said that he was looking forward to “meet the third generation”.

Saif Ali Khan told PM Modi he is the first Prime Minister he has ever met.

“You are the first Prime Minister that I have met. Your energy is so good and you work so hard. I want to congratulate you on whatever you do. Thank you for opening your doors and for being accessible to us,” he said.

PM Modi then said that he had met his father, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, and was hoping to meet the next generation.

“I had met your father and I thought today I will get to meet the third generation as well. But you didn’t bring them (par aap laye nahi),” the Prime Minister quipped.

Kareena Kapoor Khan, during the interaction, sought an autograph for Taimur and Jeh from PM Modi.

“We are deeply humbled and honoured to have been invited by the Honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, to commemorate the extraordinary life and legacy of our grandfather, the legendary Raj Kapoor. Thank you Shri Modi ji for such a special afternoon. Your warmth, attention, and support in celebrating this milestone meant the world to us,” Kareena Kapoor expressed her gratitude for the special meeting.

The Prime Minister wrote a message for “Tim and Jeh” on a piece of paper.

The Kapoor family invited PM Modi for the Raj Kapoor Fim Festival which will showcase his 10 iconic films across 40 cities and 135 cinemas.

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the Kapoor family on Tuesday in Delhi and remembered the life and legacy of cinema icon Raj Kapoor. Raj Kapoor established India’s soft power in the world at a time when that word was not even coined, he said during a candid chat with the Kapoors.

“In the diplomatic world, we talk a lot about soft power. And at a time when this phrase didn’t even exist, Raj Kapoor sahab established India’s soft power all over the world. It was his big service to India,” PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister met Raj Kapoor’s daughter Rima Jain, daughter-in-law Neetu Kapoor and grandchildren – actors Karisma Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Aadar Jain and Armaan Jain.

Alia Bhatt and Saif Ali Khan were also present at the meeting.

Prime Minister, while talking abo the power of cinema, he narrated an incident about former Atal Bihari Vajpayee and LK Advani.

“In the Jan Sangh era, there were elections in Delhi and they lost the election. So Advani ji and Atal ji said, ‘We lost the elections, what should we do now? So let’s see a movie.’ “They went to see a movie and it was Raj Kapoor’s ‘Phir Subah Hogi’ (1958) and then there was a new morning,” he said.

He also recalled that during one of his China visits, the hosts were playing songs from Raj Kapoor’s movies.

“I asked my team to record it on a mobile and I sent it to Rishiji (Kapoor). And he was so happy,” PM Modi said.

#WATCH | Delhi: Members of the Kapoor family yesterday extended an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of the 100th birth anniversary of legendary actor-filmmaker Raj Kapoor on December 14

Actor Ranbir Kapoor says, “This is a special day for us. We enjoyed the… pic.twitter.com/fOBVlfLFYK

— ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2024

Prime Minister Modi also suggested that the global impact of Raj Kapoor and his films should be captured through visual format. “Can we do something, probably a film that captures Raj Kapoor’s imprint on the hearts and minds of people of Central Asia… He had a big impact on their lives in Central Asia and I think we should resurrect it and connect it with the new generation. We should do something to link this and I think it is possible,” he said.

During the meeting, Ranbir Kapoor on behalf of the Kapoor family, invited the Prime Minister for the Raj Kapoor Film Festival.

After the meeting, he said he will be grateful to PM Modi for interacting with the family.

“We had a lot of fun during our chat with the PM and we asked a lot of personal questions. He was very friendly with us. We were very nervous before the meeting but he was very good and made us comfortable and I really thank him,” he added.

Kareena Kapoor Khan said, “It was my dream to sit next to PM Modi and talk to him. His energy is so positive and he is truly a global leader.”

Alia Bhatt said it was a proud moment for the Kapoor family. “With the energy, kindness and the way he welcomed us and the way he spoke about Raj Kapoor ji, he gave a lot of ideas and suggestions about what more we can do to take his legacy forward and to educate the world about him. We really loved it,” she said.

“Can we do something, probably a film that captures Raj Kapoor’s imprint on the hearts and minds of people of Central Asia… He had a big impact on their lives in Central Asia and I think we should resurrect it and connect it with the new generation. We should do something to link this and I think it is possible,” PM Modi said.

Spanning 101 cinemas across 34 cities from December 13 to 15, the gala — organised by PVR INOX Limited and the Film Heritage Foundation — will be one of the most extensive retrospectives ever dedicated to Raj Kapoor’s filmography.

December 14, 2024 marks the 100th birth anniversary of Raj Kapoor, an actor, editor, a director, and producer, known for classics such as “Aag”, “Awara”, “Barsaat”, “Shree 420”, and “Bobby”.

New Delhi:

Amid consternation and outrage over a series of deepfake videos, actor Alia Bhatt has fallen prey to the technology yet again.

Alia Bhatt’s new deepfake shows her taking part in the ‘get ready with me’ trend in a video shared on Instagram. The video shows her getting ready in a black kurta and putting the makeup on.

This is not the first time that a deepfake video of Alia has gone viral on social media.

Earlier, a deepfake video of Alia Bhatt’s face merged with actor Wamiqa Gabbi’s had also gone viral. Her another deepfake showed a woman with the morphed face of Alia Bhatt making obscene gestures.

Several Instagram users have reacted to Alia Bhatt’s deepfake video expressing concern over the misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

“AI is getting dangerous day by day,” a user said. A second user said, “I am getting scared of AI now.” “I really hope you have consent for using the AI that uses real human faces,” said another Alia Bhatt friend.

Deepfakes are a form of synthetic media crafted using artificial intelligence, employing sophisticated algorithms to manipulate both visual and audio elements.

Deepfakes of several celebrities – including Rashmika Mandanna, Kajol, Katrina Kaif, Aamir Khan, Ranveer Singh and Sara Tendulkar – had earlier surfaced on the internet.

The government has advised all intermediaries – referring to social media platforms like Instagram and X – to ensure users “do not violate the prohibited content” rule of the IT Act, as it bids to combat the worrying trend of deepfakes.

The Centre has said that the creation and circulation of deepfakes carry a strong penalty Rs 1 lakh in fine and three years in jail.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also flagged the misuse of AI for creating deepfake videos and called it a “big concern.” “During the times of Artificial Intelligence, it is important that technology should be used responsibly,” he cautioned.