Raj Kapoor

Raj Kapoor
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Contents
Articles
Raj Kapoor
1
Raj Kapoor filmography
6
Neel Kamal (1947 film)
9
Amar Prem
10
Aag (1948 film)
13
Andaz (1949 film)
14
Barsaat (1949 film)
17
Sargam (1950 film)
19
Bawre Nain
20
Banwra
22
Awaara
23
Anhonee
26
Paapi
28
Shree 420
30
Jagte Raho
33
Chori Chori
35
Phir Subha Hogi
37
Anari
38
Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai
40
Chhalia
42
Nazrana (film)
43
Aashiq (1962 film)
45
Sangam (film)
46
Teesri Kasam
49
Around the World (1967 film)
52
Sapno Ka Saudagar
53
Mera Naam Joker
54
Kal Aaj Aur Kal
57
Mera Desh Mera Dharam
59
Do Jasoos
60
Dharam Karam
61
Chandi Sona
63
Satyam Shivam Sundaram
64
Naukri
66
Kim (TV film)
68
References
Article Sources and Contributors
69
Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors
71
Article Licenses
License
72
Raj Kapoor
1
Raj Kapoor
Raj Kapoor
Born
Ranbir Raj Kapoor14 December 1924Peshawar, British India Permanent Residence: Chembur, Mumbai
Died
2 June 1988 (aged 63)Chembur,Mumbai, India
Other names
The Show Man
Occupation
Actor, Producer, Director
Years active
1935-1985
Ranbirraj "Raj" Kapoor (Hindi: राज कपूर, Punjabi: ਰਾਜ ਕਪੂਰ, Urdu:
‫ روُپک جار‬Rāj Kapūr, 14 December 1924 - 2
June 1988), also known as The Show-Man, was an Indian film actor, producer and director of Hindi cinema.[1] He
was the winner of nine Filmfare Awards, while his films Awaara (1951) and Boot Polish (1954) were nominated for
the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. The Government of India honoured him with the Padma Bhushan in
1971 and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1987 for his contributions towards Indian cinema.
Early life and Background
Raj Kapoor was born in Peshawar, British
India (present day Pakistan), to actor
Prithviraj Kapoor and Ramsarni (Rama)
Devi Kapoor (née Mehra). He was the eldest
of six children in a Punjabi[2] family.[3] [4] [5]
He was the grandson of Dewan
Basheshwarnath Kapoor and great-grandson
of Dewan Keshavmal Kapoor, part of the
famous Kapoor family. Two of Raj's
brothers are actors Shashi Kapoor (aka
Balbir Raj Kapoor) and Shammi Kapoor
(aka Shamsher Raj Kapoor); the other two
died in infancy. He also had a sister named
Urmila Sial.
Raj Kapoor attended Colonel Brown
Cambridge School, Dehradun in the 1930s.
Career
Raj Kapoor birth place at Dhaki Munawar Shah, Peshawar, Pakistan
Raj Kapoor
At the age of eleven, he appeared in films for the first time, in the 1935 film Inquilab. After acting in several other
films the next 12 years, Raj Kapoor's big break came with the lead role in Neel Kamal (1947) opposite Madhubala in
her first role as a leading lady. In 1948, at the age of twenty-four, he established his own studio, R. K. Films, and
became the youngest film director of his time making his directorial debut with the film Aag. Aag marked the first of
many films in which he and Nargis appeared together. In 1949 he co-starred alongside Dilip Kumar in Mehboob
Khan's blockbuster Andaz which was his first major success as an actor.
He went on to produce, direct and star in many box office hits such as Barsaat (1949), Awaara (1951), Shree 420
(1955), Chori Chori (1956), Jagte Raho (1956) and Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai (1960). These films established
his screen image as The Tramp modeled on Charlie Chaplin's most famous screen persona. In 1964 he produced,
directed and starred in Sangam which was his first film in colour. This was his last major success as a leading actor.
Outisde of his home productions his other notable films were Anari (1959), Chhalia (1960) and Teesri Kasam
(1963). He produced, directed and starred in his ambitious film, Mera Naam Joker (My name is Joker), which took
more than six years to complete. When released in 1970, it was a box office disaster.
In 1971 he launched his eldest son Randhir Kapoor in Randhir's acting and directorial debut Kal Aaj Aur Kal which
also starred Raj's father Prithviraj Kapoor as well as Randhir's wife to be Babita. He launched his second son Rishi
Kapoor's career when he produced and directed Bobby (1973) which was not only a huge box office success but also
introduced actress Dimple Kapadia, later a very popular actress, and was the first of a new generation of teen
romances. Dimple wore bikinis in the film which was quite unique for Indian films then.
In the latter half of the 1970s and early 1980s he produced and directed films which focused on the female
protagonists: Satyam Shivam Sundaram (1978) with Zeenat Aman, Prem Rog (1982) with Padmini Kolhapure and
Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985) which introduced Mandakini. He acted in fewer films by the late 1970s and early
1980s and focused on producing and directing films. He starred alongside Rajesh Khanna in Naukri (1979) and
played the title role alongside Sanjay Khan in Abdullah (1980).
Raj Kapoor's last major film appearance was in Vakil Babu (1982) where he appeared with his younger brother
Shashi. His last acting role was a cameo appearance in a 1984 released British made-for-television film titled Kim.
Death
Raj Kapoor suffered from asthma in his later
years; he died of complications related to
asthma in 1988 at the age of 63. At the time
of his death, he was working on the movie
Heena (an Indo -Pakistan based love story).
The film was later completed by his sons ,
Randhir, Rishi Kapoor and narrated by his
brother Shammi Kapoor it released in 1991
which became a huge success at the Box
Office. When he was given the Dadasaheb
Phalke Award; where his brothers, Shashi
Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor were also
present; the crowd was clapping around
Main gate of Raj Kapoor's birth place at Dhaki Munawar Shah, Peshawar, Pakistan
when President Venkataraman, who saw
Kapoor's discomfort, came down the stage
to give the award to the legend in the middle of thundering claps where he was breathing his last breath. And
suddenly Kapoor collapsed, and was rushed to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences for treatment. The
country's top cardiologists tried their best, but could not save him.[6]
2
Raj Kapoor
Legacy
Raj Kapoor is appreciated both by film critics and ordinary film fans. Film historians and movie buffs speak of him
as the "Charlie Chaplin of Indian cinema," since he often portrayed a tramp-like figure, who, despite adversity, was
still cheerful and honest. His fame spread worldwide. He was adored by audiences in large parts of Africa, the
Middle East, the former Soviet Union, China, and Southeast Asia; his movies were global commercial successes. Raj
had the knack of getting the best out of any one, since he had mastered all departments of film making and even
marketing them. When Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru died in 1964 coinciding with release of Sangam, he took the
opportunity to create a scene when Gopal ashes were immersed in Ganges , like Pandit Nehru described in his poetic
will. His films reflected the Era in which it was made.
He had a great understanding of the public taste and a great sense of Box-Office.He was one of the pioneers of the
Indian cinema, who talked about the potential of Hindi cinema emerging as a great revenue earner from the world
market in fifties, which has become a reality today.[7]
Many of Raj Kapoor's movies had a patriotic theme. His films Aag, Shree 420 and Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai
(In the Country Where the Ganges Flows) celebrated the newly independent India, and encouraged film-goers to be
patriots. Raj Kapoor commissioned these famous lyrics for "Mera Joota Hai Japani" , a song from the movie Shree
420:
Mera joota hai Japani
Ye pataloon Inglistani
Sar pe lal topi Roosi
Phir bhi dil hai Hindustani
My shoes are Japanese
These trousers are English
The red cap on my head is Russian
But still, however, my heart is Indian
The song is still extremely popular and has been featured in a number of movies since Shree 420 was released.
Indian author Mahasweta Devi stopped the show with her inaugural speech at the 2006 Frankfurt Book Fair when
she used these lyrics to express her own heartfelt patriotism and debt to her country.
Raj Kapoor was a canny judge of filmi music and lyrics. Many of the songs he commissioned are evergreen hits. He
introduced the music directors Shankar Jaikishan and the lyricist Hasrat Jaipuri and Shailendra. He is also
remembered for his strong sense of visual style. He used striking visual compositions, elaborate sets, and dramatic
lighting to complete the mood set by the music. He introduced the actors Nimmi, Dimple Kapadia, Nargis and
Mandakini, as well as launching and reviving the careers of his sons Rishi, Randhir and Rajiv.
Personal life
The Kapoor family hailed from Peshawar and were Hindkowan Punjabis but they were also landowners in the canal
colony of Lyallpur, British India, which is now called Faisalabad in the Punjab province of present-day Pakistan
where the family lived for a while. He was married to Krishna Kapoor, sister of actors, Rajendra Nath and Prem
Nath. [8] [9]
Kapoor is also known to have had a longtime romantic relationship with the renowned actress Nargis during the
1950s. The couple starred in several films together, including Awaara and Shree 420. He is also alleged to have had
an affair with Vyjayanthimala, his co-star in Sangam.
Three of Kapoor's grandchildren are currently stars in the Bollywood film industry. His granddaughters are Karisma
Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor, the daughters of Raj's son Randhir Kapoor and his wife Babita. His grandson Ranbir
3
Raj Kapoor
4
Kapoor, who is the son of Rishi Kapoor and his wife Neetu Singh.
Awards
Kapoor had received many awards throughout his career, including 9 Filmfare Awards and 19 nominations. His
films Awaara (1951) and Boot Polish (1954) were nominated for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. His
film Jagte Raho (1956) also won the Crystal Globe award at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.
The Government of India honoured him with the Padma Bhushan in 1971 and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1987
- the highest award for cinematic excellence in India. In 2001, he was honoured with “Best Director of the
Millennium” by Stardust Awards. He was named “Showman of the Millennium” by Star Screen Awards in 2002.
Association with other artists
Shankar Jaikishan
Shankar-Jaikishan were his music director of choice. He worked with them in 20 films in all including 10 of his own
films from Barsaat until Kal Aaj Aur Kal. (Jagte Raho with Salil Chowdhury and Ab Dilli Dur Nahin being two
exceptions in this period). Only after Jaikishan died, did he turn to a different music director - Laxmikant Pyarelal
for Bobby, Satyam Shivam Sundaram, and Preg Rog (later on his children used Laxmikant -Pyarelal for Prem Granth
also) and Ravindra Jain for (Ram Teri Ganga Maili and Henna). It is interesting to note that Raj Kapoor never acted
in a movie with music by Madan Mohan, and did only one movie with O. P. Nayyar (Do Ustad).
List of films with Shankar Jaikishan: (18 Films)
•
Barsaat (1949)
•
Anari (1959)
•
Sangam (1964)
•
Aah (1953)
•
Kanhaiya (1959)
•
Teesri Kasam (1966)
•
Awaara (1951)
•
Main Nashe Men Hoon (1959)
•
Around the World (1967)
•
Boot Polish (1954) •
Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai (1960) •
Diwana (1967)
•
Shree 420 (1955)
Aashiq (1962)
•
Sapnon Ka Saudagar (1968)
•
Chori Chori (1956) •
Ek Dil Sao Afsane (1963)
•
Mera Naam Joker (1970)
•
Nargis
• Raj Kapoor and Nargis worked together in 16 films including 6 of his own productions.
•
•
•
•
Aag (1948)
Andaz (1949)
Barsaat (1949)
Pyaar (1950)
•
•
•
•
Jan Pahchan (1950)
Awaara (1951)
Amber (1952)
Anhonee (1952)
•
•
•
•
Ashiana (1952)
Bewafa (1952)
Aah (1953)
Paapi (1953)
•
•
•
•
Dhoon (1953)
Shree 420 (1955)
Chori Chori (1956)
Jagte Raho (1956)
Mukesh
Mukesh was Raj Kapoor's almost exclusive singing voice in almost all of his films. Also, when Mukesh died, Raj
had said, "Maine apni aawaaz ko kho diya..." ("I have lost my voice..."). However Manna Dey has also sung many
notable and super-hit songs for Raj Kapoor, for instance in Shree 420 and Chori Chori. Examples of such songs are
best illustrated by following songs:
•
•
•
•
•
Dil Ka Haal Sune Dil Wala (Shree 420)
Aaja Sanam Madhur Chandni Mein Hum (Chori Chori)
Jahan Mein Jati Hoon Wahin Chale Aate Ho (Chori Chori)
Yeh raat bhigi bhigi, yeh mast fizayen (chori chori)
Masti Bhara Hai Samaan (Parvarish)
Raj Kapoor
• A bhai zara dekh ke chalo (Mera Naam Joker)
• Pyar hua ikrar hua hai (Shree 420)
• Laga Chunri mein Daag (Dil Hi to Hai)
Further reading
• The Kapoors: the first family of Indian cinema, by Madhu Jain. Penguin, Viking, 2005. ISBN 0670058378.
References
[1] Allmusic biography (http:/ / www. allmusic. com/ artist/ p425570/ biography)
[2] Gibson, Pamela Church; Bruzzi, Stella; Dwyer (14 Dec 2000). "11 Bombay Ishstyle" (http:/ / www. amazon. co. uk/
Fashion-Cultures-Theories-Explorations-Analysis/ dp/ 0415206855/ ref=sr_1_1?s=books& ie=UTF8& qid=1297588286& sr=1-1). In Rachel
(in English). Fashion cultures: theories, explorations, and analysis (1 edition ed.). New York: Routledge. p. 181. ISBN 0-415-20685-5. .
Retrieved 13 February 2011.
[3] "Bollywood's First Family" (http:/ / specials. rediff. com/ movies/ 2006/ feb/ 02slide1. htm). Rediff. . Retrieved 2007-09-08.
[4] "Prithviraj Kapoor: A centenary tribute" (http:/ / www. statsvet. su. se/ publikationer/ ahmed/ artiklar_2006/ 41_prithviraj_kapoor. htm).
Daily Times / University of Stockholm. . Retrieved 2007-11-03.
[5] "Prithviraj Kapoor:" (http:/ / www. junglee. org. in/ pk. html). Kapoor Family Page. . Retrieved 2007-11-03.
[6] "Remembering Indian cinema's greatest showman.'" (http:/ / movies. rediff. com/ column/ 2010/ jun/ 03/ raj-kapoors-22nd-death-anniversary.
htm). movies.rediff.com. . Retrieved 22 Oct 2010.
[7] (http:/ / www. thebhopalpost. com/ index. php/ 2010/ 07/ raj-kapoor-the-man-who-foresaw-the-overseas-business/ )
[8] Farewell Rajendra Nath : Laughter has left the building (http:/ / passionforcinema. com/ farewell-rajendra-nath-laughter-has-left-the-building/
) passionforcinema, February 13, 2008.
[9] "Bye bye, Bina" (http:/ / www. telegraphindia. com/ 1091213/ jsp/ 7days/ story_11857115. jsp). The Telegraph (Kolkata). December 13 ,
2009. .
Sources
• Rajadhyaksha, Ashish; Willemen, Paul. Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema. London: British Film Institute; New
Delhi: Oxford University Press, 1994
• Kishore, Valicha. The Moving Image. Hyderabad: Orient Longman, 1988
External links
• Raj Kapoor (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004292/) at the Internet Movie Database
5