The legendary Holi celebrations at RK Studios were once the heart of Bollywood’s festive spirit. Hosted by Raj Kapoor, these grand gatherings saw the entire film industry coming together to revel in the festival of colors. Though the tradition has faded with time, the Kapoor family often reminisces about those unforgettable days, sharing their cherished memories.
Randhir Kapoor once shared on The Kapil Sharma Show how traditional the atmosphere used to be, but as times changed, so did the nature of the celebrations. “Bada traditional kisam ka atmosphere rehta tha. But jabse yeh rang aa gaya, zamane badal gaye, shakalein badal gayi logo ki koi pehchane nahi jaate the. Toh aise din aaye ki log chedne lage ek doosre ko jinko voh pehchante nahi the.”
He further explained why the festivities lost their charm, saying, “Aur ladkiyon ne aana band kar diya kyunki unke baal kharab ho jaate the, nakhoon kharab ho jaate the. Phirse hume beauty parlour jaana padega. Toh yeh nayi peedhi ki ladkiyon ne aana band kar diya. Jab ladkiyon ne aana band kar diya toh Rishi aur mujhe bhi maza nahi aata tha.”
At an event, Ranbir Kapoor also reflected on the famous RK Studios Holi parties. Speaking to filmmaker Rahul Rawail, he recalled how, as a child, the event felt overwhelming. “I was really young, so it was a very scary environment for me. Everyone was coloured in black and many other colours, sabko aise truck mai faika jaaraha hai (everyone was being thrown into trucks). You might have better memories, I guess,” he said. Rahul agreed, adding, “You were right about that, sab kaale neele peele hote the (Everyone used to be drained in different colours). It used to be a day celebration.
”Ranbir reminisced about how inclusive the event was, where not just actors but every crew member, from camera operators to production staff, joined in the festivities. Rahul revealed why the tradition eventually ended, explaining that the sheer size of the crowd made it impossible to manage, as uninvited guests began flooding the celebrations.
The RK Studios Holi parties may no longer be a part of Bollywood’s culture, but their legacy continues to live on in the memories of those who witnessed their grandeur firsthand.
