In a first of its kind from within the folds of Mumbai's film industry, an audio tribute to the everlasting majesty of actor-director-producer Raj Kapoor has been recorded by the iconic scriptwriter Salim Khan. The 20-minuter throwback ­ comprising a voice-over and excerpts from RK songs ­ catches Khan in a palpably emotional mode. The scriptwriter who had kick-started his career as an actor, had played a supporting part in Diwana (1967), top lining Raj Kapoor and Saira Banu.

“In between the shots, we would speak at length. And we kept in touch forever. I've been an unwavering fan of all his films ­ especially Awara (1951). Some of them, like Mera Naam Joker (1970) may not have clicked commercially but today it is justly considered a cult classic,“ narrates Khan, punctuated by the traffic sounds outside his Bandra, Carter Road residence, a javelin's throw away from the Mount Mary fair on Sunday.

Visuals or a video clip, instead of the audio one, would not have been as effective, Khan insists. Readied only of late, the tribute was played back for Mrs Krishna Raj Kapoor, who was moved to tears. Randhir Kapoor and Manoj Kumar have heard it too, the latter going to the extent of saying over the 'phone, “Salim, it's one of your best, heartfelt creations.“

After lending it an ear, Lata Mangeshkar, stated, “I have seen those wonderful days of cinema in close-up, yaad dilakar toh aapne mujhe rula hi diya (by reminding me of those days, you brought tears to my eyes.“

Bring up the gutting of R K Studio following an outbreak of fire on Saturday, and Khan ripostes, “I have abstained from giving sound bytes and quotes on the devastation. What else can one say but that a priceless part of our cinema heritage has been lost?“ As it happened, coincidentally the audio tribute was aimed to remind the young generation of the cinematic genius of Raj Kapoor. The springboard for the tribute was a column Khan had written for a Hindi newspaper on R.K's 29th death anniversary on June 2. To take that to another level, Khan was assisted by TV personality Khalid Hashmi. Never-heard-of-before anecdotes emerge. Example: Salim-Javed were convinced that they had authored the 'perfect' script for Deewaar (1975) till they were told by Raj Kapoor, “Perhaps Amitabh Bachchan shouldn't have been dressed up jazzily and made to behave stylishly once he became rich. You should have kept him in shabby clothes and looking rough even as he climbs up the social ladder. That would have been more poignant.“

Khan recalls, “I would touch the feet of Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar. Not because I believe in tradition but because their achievements have commanded love and respect, instinctively. Tell me, if any hero had a gap between his teeth today, wouldn't he have rushed to a dentist to look perfect? I have watched actors from every generation since the 1950s. No one can touch them.“

“The Kapoors,“ the fan-boy within the stalwart writer continues, “have been a class apart. Their manners are incomparable, treating all as equals. When Salman was shooting at the R.K. Studio for his TV show, Dus Ka Dum, they ensured that he was allowed into the famous cottage and made to feel like family“.

Khan however believes Raj Kapoor didn't take acting 'seriously' since his prime passion was film direction, toting an oeuvre which enhanced romance with a socially progressive sub-text. As the oft-described showman advanced towards his mid-50s, he would tell his abiding fan, “Dimaag mein bahut kuchh chalta rehta hai lekin jism saath nahin deta (The mind keeps buzzing with so many ideas that I can't keep up with them).“

“You know something?“ the scriptwriter asks and answers rightaway, “There was a time when two stories would have to be condensed into one script. Now, they don't even have half-a-story and are making sequels out of them. Aur kya kahoon? My tribute to Raj saab is just a drop in the ocean.“