Randhir Kapoor: I Feel My Father is Still Alive

mangalore@coastaldigest.com (Agencies)

May 18, 2014

Pune, May 18: It's been over 25 years since Indian cinema legend Raj Kapoor breathed his last but his son Randhir Kapoor, who was present at the inauguration ceremony of 'Raj Kapoor Memorial - The Golden Era of Indian Cinema' at Rajbaugh here, still feels his father is "alive".

Organised by World Peace Center, Alandi and the Rajbaugh campus of MAEER's MIT College in Loni Kalbhor near Pune, the museum was inaugurated on May 16.

At the ceremony, chief guest Randhir said: "I thank MIT for the respect and love they have shown towards my father. His soul is staying here in this place, in this memorial and in every tree and flower."

"I am very happy for the respect shown towards my father, Raj Kapoor-ji, the greatest showman of Hindi cinema. My father is not alive today but I feel that he is alive and lives in this place in every work and (that he) lives in this memorial."

Rajiv Kapoor, youngest son of Raj Kapoor, was also present on the occasion.

Rajiv said: "I think everyone should see this memorial. We can learn a lot from his (my father's) work. I am also thankful for the respect given to my father."

The founder president of World Peace Center, Alandi, Vishwanath D. Karad, said: "It was the dream of Raj Kapoor and his family that this land should be used for educational purposes. This great artist has given a unique message to the society. Therefore, we were tempted to build this memorial which reflects Indian culture through the cinema."

Raj Kapoor was only 24 when he launched his own studio, RK Films, and became the youngest director of his time with Aag in 1948. He went on to taste success by producing, directing and acting in successful movies like Barsaat (1949), Awaara (1951), Shree 420 (1955) and Chori Chori (1956).

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How Ranya Rao Was Caught Smuggling 14 Kg of Gold Moments Before Clearing Airport Security

Agencies

March 5,2025

Bengaluru: Actor Ranya Rao, stepdaughter of a senior IPS officer, was just moments away from clearing airport security at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport when the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) swooped in. What followed was a dramatic bust—gold bars worth ₹12 crore, allegedly being smuggled, were recovered from her and her accomplices.

The 33-year-old actress, who debuted in the 2014 Kannada film Maanikya, had landed in Bengaluru on Monday aboard an Emirates flight from Dubai. According to officials, she was accompanied by two individuals carrying the smuggled gold in briefcases. They had nearly cleared security and were about to exit when DRI officers, acting on specific intelligence, intercepted them and launched a search.

Gold Concealed on Person

A thorough examination led to the discovery of 14.2 kg of gold ingeniously hidden on her person. "The contraband, valued at ₹12.56 crore, was seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962," the DRI stated.

More Gold, Cash Found at Her Home

The investigation didn’t stop at the airport. Authorities then searched Ranya Rao’s residence on Lavelle Road, Bengaluru, where she lives with her husband. There, they uncovered additional gold jewelry worth ₹2.06 crore and Indian currency amounting to ₹2.67 crore, bringing the total seizure in the case to ₹17.29 crore.

"The lady passenger has been placed under arrest under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 1962, and remanded to judicial custody. This marks a significant blow to organized gold smuggling networks," the DRI statement added.

Frequent Gulf Trips Raised Suspicion

According to reports, Ranya Rao had been making frequent, short trips to Gulf countries, which eventually put her under the DRI’s radar.

Ranya is the stepdaughter of a senior IPS officer. Her stepfather remarried after his first wife’s death, and Ranya is one of two daughters from her mother’s previous marriage.

With a 14.2 kg gold seizure, this is one of the biggest smuggling busts at Bengaluru airport in recent times, reinforcing the DRI’s crackdown on illicit gold trade.

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