Pratyush.Raj@timesgroup.comPanchkula: Ranbir Kapoor might be a heart-throb in India, but for Romanian football coach Petre Gigiu there is just one ‘Rockstar Kapoor’; and that’s Ranbir’s showman grandfather – Raj Kapoor.Gigiu, who is the coach of Churchill Brothers , came to the I-League pre-match press conference at Panchkula’s Tau Devi Lal Stadium on Saturday humming the song ‘mera joota hai japani’ from the movie Shree 420. “I am a big fan of Raj Kapoor. Grew up watching his movies back home in Romania,” Gigiu told TOI.“I have seen most of his movies. I don’t know how many times I have watched Shree 420, Mera Naam Joker and Awara. Actually, it was my father, who introduced me to Bollywood movies,” reminisces Gigiu, whose team will begin their I-League 2018-19 campaign against defending champions Minerva Punjab FC on Sunday.The Romanian was hired by the Goan side in August, earlier this year. Churchill had finished ninth last season.“When I received the offer, it hardly took me couple of minutes to say yes! I always wanted to visit India… it was my childhood dream. I am looking forward to explore this beautiful country,” said the Romanian gaffer.Although the 65-year-old is a big fan of Raj Kapoor, but his favourite Bollywood movie is Nargis and Sunil Dutt-starrer ‘Mother India’.Bucharest-born Gigiu stated that the movie was his favourite because of its earthy characters. “The characters (in the movie Mother India) are very down to earth, true to life and genuine. Anybody can connect to the film,” he said.The coach frequently watches present-day Hindi movies and has seen Ranbir Kapoor’s Barfi. But, it’s Raj Kapoor’s films that still appeals to him.“Call me old school, but I relate more to the movies of Raj Kapoor. Those cut across age, religion, race and social status,” he said.“When I first watched Raj Kapoor’s movies, our country was facing hardship. There was a civil war going on. In those times, Raj Kapoor’s movies were a symbol of optimism. Raj Kapoor’s movies worked like an elixir and we used to take inspiration from the storyline shown in those movies. Every Indian movie ends with a message of victory of good over evil, which is quite amazing,” reflected Gigiu.Meanwhile, Gigiu is now working on his “toota-foota” Hindi so that he establishes a connection with the Indian players. “Thoda thoda aata hai (I know a bit of Hindi),” he said with a chuckle.“It is work in progress. But, I can assure you that there are many Hindi songs in my playlist; so, I think, by the end of the season, my Hindi will also improve,” he signed off.