For Nikhil Nanda, Raj Kapoor was never the legendary filmmaker whose movies captivated audiences across continents. He was simply "grandfather"—the man who enjoyed family time, loved good food, and created cherished childhood memories. It took an unexpected encounter thousands of miles away from India for the industrialist to truly understand the scale of Raj Kapoor's global influence. That moment came during a snowstorm in the United States, and it remains one of his most vivid memories of the iconic actor's enduring legacy.Nikhil Nanda, Chairman and Managing Director of Escorts Kubota and father of Navya Naveli Nanda, recently reflected on his relationship with the Kapoor family during an interview with Shrishti Sahu. Speaking about his upbringing, Nanda said he grew up in what he described as a "very normal home" and remained deeply connected to his maternal side of the family. His mother, Ritu Nanda, was the daughter of legendary actor and filmmaker Raj Kapoor and Krishna Kapoor.His understanding of Raj Kapoor's stature changed years later when he was studying at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School in the United States. Nanda recounted being stranded during a severe East Coast snowstorm. With several feet of snow on the ground, he spent nearly half an hour trying to find transportation before finally getting into a taxi.As soon as he entered the cab, something caught his attention. The driver was playing Raj Kapoor songs. Nanda was surprised, especially after realising that the driver was Russian. Curious but initially hesitant, he eventually mentioned that Raj Kapoor was his grandfather. The driver was unconvinced and thought he was joking.You Might Also Like:According to Nanda, the driver asked why he should believe such a claim. Fortunately, he happened to have a family photograph in his wallet. The picture included Raj Kapoor standing alongside Nanda, his sister, and his mother. After seeing the photograph, the driver immediately reacted with disbelief. Nanda recalled that the driver stopped the car and was visibly astonished. It was at that moment, he said, that he truly understood the affection and admiration Raj Kapoor had earned across the world."That's when I realised the love and the impact he had created in the world," Nanda shared. The story ended with one final surprise. Deeply moved after discovering that his passenger was Raj Kapoor's grandson, the driver refused to charge him for the journey. For Nanda, the episode became a lasting reminder of how far his grandfather's influence had travelled and how deeply his work had resonated with people far beyond India's borders.Nikhil Nanda's memories of Raj KapoorAccording to Nanda, childhood summers were often spent in Mumbai, where his mother would take him and his sister to visit the Kapoor family. Looking back, he said he never truly understood Raj Kapoor's fame during those years because he only knew him as a loving grandfather. "I saw Raj Kapoor as a grandfather," he recalled, adding that he never paid much attention to what the filmmaker represented outside the family.Instead, his memories revolve around simple pleasures. Nanda remembered Raj Kapoor's fondness for dosas and recalled visits to Mumbai eateries such as Gita Bhavan and Ravi Cafe. Though modest establishments, he described them as serving "unbelievable food."