On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi honored four legends of Indian cinema: Raj Kapoor, Mohammed Rafi, Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR), and Tapan Sinha. He did this during his last “Mann Ki Baat” radio program of 2024, recognizing that this year marks 100 years since their birth.
PM Modi shared, “In 2024, we celebrate great film personalities who showed the world India’s rich culture and talent. Their lives inspire our film industry today.”
He talked about Raj Kapoor, saying, “Through his movies, he showcased India’s soft power to people everywhere.” About Mohammed Rafi, he remarked, “His beautiful voice touched everyone. Whether it was love songs, spiritual songs, or sad tunes, he brought emotions to life. It’s amazing that even today’s youth love his songs, which shows how timeless his art is.”
Next, he mentioned ANR, praising his ability to elevate Telugu cinema. “His films represented Indian traditions and values beautifully,” the Prime Minister noted.
Lastly, he spoke about Tapan Sinha, saying, “His films provided new ideas for our society and spread messages of social awareness and unity.”
The birth anniversaries of Raj Kapoor, known as the showman of Hindi cinema, and Mohammed Rafi, one of India’s greatest playback singers, were celebrated recently on December 14 and December 24. ANR’s centenary was celebrated on September 20, while Tapan Sinha’s would have been on October 2. Sinha was known as one of the top directors in Bengali cinema during the 1970s and 1980s and worked alongside famous filmmakers like Satyajit Ray.
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