Dilip Kumar’s directorial debut “Kalinga” which was launched with much expectation and fanfare by Sudhakar Bokade who produced successful movies namely “Sajan” “Izzatdar” and others, was a co-producer.
This film’s banner was Divya Citizen’s production. Citizen, the production company under which Dilip Kumar’s Gunga Jumna was produced. It was a joint venture produced by Sudhakar Bokade and Saira(banu) Khan and was written & directed by Dilip Kumar, Music Kalyanji Anandji, Lyrics Anand Bakshi Cinematography Kamal Bose. Sunny Deol was the hero but due to date problems he was replaced by a newcomer. Opposite him was Meenakshi Seshadri, “Ghayal” pair.
Dilip Kumar, Raj Babbar, Raj Kiran, Jeckey Shroff, Shilipa Shirodkar, Roopa Ganguly, Shammi, Amjad Khan were also in “Kalinga”.
The movie created headlines because the legendary Dilip Kumar was supposed to direct it. The movie took bit long in the making and unpredicted incident made a 70% complete movie back in its cans.
It’s story related to an upright judge and his wayward sons.
One of the main characters of Kalinga, actor Raj Kiran, who had important role in the film, had suddenly dissapeared. Dilip Kumar’s search for him proved futile. Dilip Kumar was more concerned of him, not because of the movie, but the relationship which was built between them since the days of “Mazdoor” (1983). He was like a son to Dilip Kumar.
To Dilip Kumar, “Kalinga”was his dream and wanted to concentrate only on the project. This made him not taking other offers from some of the great Directors.
B.R.Chopra’s “Baghban” Subhash Ghai’s “Home-Land”, Esmayeel Shroff untittled film are among the films Dilip Kumar declined offers. He was to play a detective role in Esmayeel Shroff’s film.
During the making of Kalinga, if a cricket match was going on, Yusuf Saab would take a pocket size radio on the sets and used to keep the radio on his ears to listen the commentary of the match in between the shooting. Once while listening he asked his assistants to pack up as he was not in good mood to direct shots because his favourite team had lost the match. Shooting was cancelled for that day.
Actor Raj Kiran’s disappearance, made Dilip Kumar’s dream shattered.
The most important film which the Thespian was piloting remains incomplete.
Subhash Ghai and Esmail Shroff had to call off their projects. BR Chopra had no other choice but to replace Amitabh Bachchan in “Baghban”.
Today Raj Kiran’s status is missing. Unconfirmed reports say he was located in a hospital in California, while some reports are that he was seen driving a cab in New York.
