Lyricist Shailendra Raj Kapoor Relationship Songs Career | Raj Kapoor used to sit near Shailendra’s feet: Sometimes started a job at ₹ 500 with the actor, in debt due to the film ‘Third Kasam’

Raj Kapoor was considered the biggest showman in Hindi cinema, but behind his success was the contribution of a poet who came to the screen very rarely, named Shailendra.

Raj Kapoor called him “Kaviraj” and “Pushin”. He often used to sit near his feet and listen to songs.

Shailendra’s real name was Shankardas Kesarilal. He was born in 1923. He used to work in the railway and read poetry in the Mushayars of the Indian People’s Theater Association (IPTA). It was here that Raj Kapoor saw his talent. Kapoor offered him work, but Shailendra first refused. Later, when the wife needed money at the time of pregnancy, she gave some of her songs. These songs became part of the film ‘Barsaat’ (1949) and became the identity of RK Films.

Raj Kapoor had proposed to buy Shailendra’s poem ‘Jalata Hai Punjab’ in Mushaira, impressed for his film ‘Aag’ (1948).

Soon Shailendra joined RK Studio. He used to get a fixed salary of 500 rupees every month, whether he wrote a song or five. His ideal matters to him more than money. His song Hoon, Mera Shoe Hai Japanese, Pyaar Hua Iqrar Hui Hui Hui Hui M and Ikar Hui Hui went on the tongue of the common man.

Shailendra’s son once told that Raj Kapoor used to sit near his feet and always used to call him “Pushkin”, but Shailendra remained connected to the ground. He used to share his part of his earnings with musicians and technicians.

He tried to produce film production at the peak of a career. He produced the film ‘Third Kasam’ (1966) which was Raj Kapoor and Waheeda Rehman. The film was to be completed in a year, but it took five years. The film started with a budget of Rs 2-3 lakh, but after five years, when the film was completed, the budget increased to Rs 22-23 lakh and Shailendra got a lot of debt. When the film was released, there was a flop at the box office and this caused him a deep setback.

Shailendra passed away on 14 December 1966, which was Raj Kapoor’s birthday. He was just 43 years old and struggling with liver cirrhosis.

His last written song ‘Jeena here died here in the film Mera Naam Joker (1970), which was recorded before his death.

Raj Kapoor wrote on his death on Dharmayug magazine, “My soul was with Shailendra. Our relationship was of births.”