Some moments in Hindi cinema history feel almost unreal, yet they reveal everything about admiration, obsession, and creative hunger. One such moment unfolded in the early hours of the morning, when Raj
Kapoor picked up the phone and demanded to watch Guide immediately. The story, recalled years later by Mohan Churiwala, a close friend of Dev Anand, offers a rare glimpse into how deeply the film affected Raj Kapoor the very first time he saw it. This happened soon after Guide was released, when its fate was still uncertain. A call that couldn’t wait According to Churiwala, the phone rang at Dev Anand’s house at around 2 am. Raj Kapoor was on the line and insisted on speaking to Dev Anand right away. When the house help answered the phone, Kapoor warned that if the call was not connected, he would come over himself. Dev Anand, annoyed at being disturbed so late, eventually took the call. Raj Kapoor’s demand was simple and urgent. He wanted to watch Guide immediately. Dev Anand tried to calm the situation by offering to send the film print the next morning. Raj Kapoor refused. Since he was reportedly intoxicated, Dev Anand agreed and went back to sleep. But the night was far from over. ‘Send the print now’ Barely fifteen minutes later, Raj Kapoor called again. This time, he wanted to know whether the film print had been dispatched. Dev Anand understood that there was no escaping the request. He arranged for the print to be sent to RK Studios right away. What followed next would become one of the most talked-about reactions to Guide. The 6 am call
“At around 6 am, after finishing the film, Raj Kapoor reportedly called Dev Anand once again, praising both the film and Vijay Anand. He told Dev Anand, ‘You are so lucky to have such a talented brother.’ He was crying on the phone. Dev Anand, who was initially annoyed for being woken up again and again by Kapoor on the same night, felt better as Raj Kapoor praising a film meant achieving something big as a filmmaker and producer.” Dev Anand, who had been irritated by the repeated calls through the night, suddenly felt that the exhaustion was worth it. Praise from Raj Kapoor, especially at that hour and in that emotional state, meant something rare.
A film that moved a legend
While the English version of Guide failed commercially, the Hindi adaptation went on to become one of Indian cinema’s most celebrated films. Directed by Vijay Anand and based on RK Narayan’s novel The Guide, the film slowly grew into a landmark. The film was screened at the Cannes Film Festival, cementing its place in cinema history.
