12 April,2019 06:10 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Colonel Raj Kapoor and Shah Rukh Khan. Pic: Twitter/@iamsrk
Shah Rukh Khan paid a heartwarming tribute to Colonel Raj Kumar Kapoor, the creator of the 1988 popular television show Fauji which made the superstar a household name. Raj Kumar Kapoor breathed his last on Thursday, April 11, in Delhi.
Remembering his mentor, SRK said, "He loved me so much. Encouraged me. And today if I am used to being mollycoddled on sets it's because of this man who made a 'Fauji' out of a boy, like his own. Will miss you Sir...always. May u find peace in ur new mission".
ALSO READ
Have you heard? Chuck Russell wants to collaborate with THESE Indian superstars
Cops take custody of Raipur man citing Salman Khan-Baba Siddique-SRK link
Niki Aneja recalls being 'bullied, scarred' while making Pahlaj Nihalani's film
Nayanthara says producers like SRK, Ram Charan granted NOCs without hesitation
Maharashtra elections 2024: It was star-studded poll day!
"And he was so jovial. Somehow in the midst of all stresses he had a way that could make u smile away ur troubles. One of those people u assumed will never leave your side cos he was so full of life", the actor added.
Veteran filmmaker Shekar Kapur also remembered the day when 'Colonel' introduced him to the young SRK and declared, "Watch this young man".
Replying to Shah Rukh's tweet, Kapur wrote, "Yes, I remember well the day the 'Colonel' brought you to my house during Faujj. 'Watch this young man' He said. And he was so right. What a wonderful compassionate man".
Shah Rukh Khan, then only 24 years old, played the leading role of Abhimanyu Rai in the famed show. He later appeared in Aziz Mirza's 1989 television series Circus. Three years later, SRK made his Bollywood debut in Deewana opposite Divya Bharti, and the rest, as they say, is history.
In an interview to Samar Khan, the author of SRK 25 Years Of A Life, Fauji director Raj Kumar Kapoor said that it was the confidence shown by SRK that "compelled" him to cast the actor.
"I still remember the sleek boy from Delhi's Gautam Nagar, who had come to my place. He directly came to me and said: "I heard you are making a show and I want to act".
I loved his confidence and called him for an audition. He arrived with the other boys for the audition. Because the show was about Commandos, I made everyone run with me."
Also Read: Government uses Shah Rukh Khan's star power to say 'Go vote'
Catch up on all the latest entertainment news and gossip here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates
