Nostalgia hit Bollywood hard as Himani Shivpuri unearthed old memories from the 1999 romantic drama ‘Aa Ab Laut Chalen,’ directed by the late Rishi Kapoor. Posting a throwback picture with Ranbir Kapoor, the actress painted a vivid picture of joyful shoots in America, where a teenage Ranbir would drop by to meet the cast.
Despite not setting the box office ablaze, the movie’s songs and narrative, featuring Aishwarya Rai and Akshaye Khanna’s electric pairing, earned cult status. Shivpuri’s Nikki role added quirky charm to the starry lineup. She fondly remembered Ranbir’s visits, prompted by his father during his US studies.
In her emotional caption, Shivpuri gushed over Ranbir’s politeness: ‘He bowed, sought blessings, and praised my timeless looks. Such grace!’ Rishi urged him to tag along with her for theater outings, fostering early industry exposure. The American adventure peaked with group excursions to iconic Broadway productions.
Shivpuri detailed her maiden US journey: endless shopping sprees blended with cultural highs. Ranbir played perfect host as they savored ‘Cats,’ ‘The Phantom of the Opera,’ ‘The Sound of Music,’ alongside peers like Satish Kaushik, Paresh Rawal, and dance maestro Saroj Khan. Aishwarya joined sporadically, making nights unforgettable.
This marked Rishi’s only directorial stint, a labor of love where he groomed Ranbir in acting nuances, often pairing him with Shivpuri. Having witnessed Ranbir’s evolution firsthand, Shivpuri’s anecdotes underscore the mentorship and merriment that shaped stars, offering a glimpse into Bollywood’s golden eras.