Sanjay Kapoor debuted in 1995 with Prem, which flopped at the box office. This led many to believe his career was over. Even Raja director Indra Kumar feared failure, blaming Sanjay. However, Raja turned out to be a massive success, reviving both their careers.
Indra Kumar told Siddharth Kannan that he reshot the movie after finding issues in the original version. Recognizing his mistakes, he rewrote parts of the script and reshot scenes, which ultimately contributed to Raja becoming a blockbuster.
The director revealed that the journey wasn’t as smooth as it appears. Just three weeks before Raja’s release, Sanjay Kapoor’s previous film Prem with Tabu had flopped, leading to doubts and ridicule. Indra admitted he lost hope, fearing the worst for his career. However, with the support of Madhuri Dixit, Saroj Khan, and his writers, the film turned into a success, saving his career.
Indra fondly recalled the success of Raja during a screening at Novelty theatre. He noted that the same people who had mocked Sanjay Kapoor for Prem were now applauding him during a pivotal scene. The moment, where Sanjay’s character slaps Madhuri Dixit after siding with his brother, drew cheers, showcasing the script’s impactful writing.
The filmmaker also referred to a powerful line from Raja, where Sanjay Kapoor’s character defends his brother with intensity: “Khabardaar jo mere bhai ko pagal kaha… mai qurbaan karta hu apne bhai pe.” This dialogue, delivered with conviction, added to the impact of the scene and resonated deeply with the audience, earning widespread applause.
Indra Kumar, a budding filmmaker at the time, made his directorial debut with the 1990 film Dil, followed by Beta in 1992. Both movies were major commercial successes, establishing him as a promising director in the industry.
Indra Kumar reflected on Sanjay Kapoor’s career, stating that despite Raja being a massive success, it didn’t help Sanjay achieve lasting stardom. He explained that success in the industry often depends on fate and favorable circumstances, adding that while Sanjay performed well in films like Raja, his stars didn’t align for sustained success.
