‘I slapped Raj Kapoor so hard, my fingers were imprinted on his face’: Kidar Sharma offered him a film next day, sold his home and wife’s jewellery to make it

Director Kidar Sharma and actor-director Prithviraj Kapoor were close friends and shared a tight bond with each other. So much so that the latter took Prithviraj’s son Raj Kapoor under his wing to straighten him out. During an old interview with Prasar Bharati Archives, Kidar recalled how he slapped the Awaara actor when he was but a teenager so hard, that his fingers imprinted on his face. He also revealed that he offered Raj his first film Neel Kamal, the very next day after spotting something in the teenager. However, Kidar had to sell everything he owned as no one refused to give him money to make a film with a newcomer. Even then there wasn’t enough money to finance the film and an old character actress came to his rescue.

It was back when Prithviraj Kapoor was stressed about hi