Raj Kapoor, born Shrishti Nath Kapoor on 14 December 1924, was a legendary figure in Indian cinema, known for his contributions as an actor, film director, and producer. Here are some key points about his life and career:
Early Life and Background:
- Raj Kapoor was born in Peshawar, British India (now in Pakistan), into the renowned Kapoor family, known for its deep roots in the Indian film industry.
- His parents were Prithviraj Kapoor and Ramsarni Devi Kapoor. He was the eldest of six children, with brothers Shammi Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor, and a sister named Urmila Sial.
Education:
- Raj Kapoor attended various schools due to his father’s early career moves, including Colonel Brown Cambridge School in Dehradun, St Xavier’s Collegiate School in Calcutta, and Campion School in Bombay.
Career:
- His film career began at the age of ten when he appeared in the Hindi film “Inquilab” in 1935.
- In 1948, at the age of 24, he established his own studio, R. K. Films, and made his directorial debut with “Aag.”
- Some of his notable films include “Awaara” (1951), “Shree 420” (1955), and “Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai” (1960).
- He played characters inspired by Charlie Chaplin’s “The Tramp” in films like “Awaara” and “Shree 420.”
Awards and Recognition:
- Raj Kapoor received multiple accolades, including three National Film Awards and 11 Filmfare Awards in India.
- His film “Awaara” was ranked as one of the “Top-Ten Greatest Performances of All Time in World Cinema” by Time magazine in 2005.
Later Career and Films:
- In 1964, he produced, directed, and starred in the romantic musical “Sangam,” his first film in color.
- His later films as a leading actor, such as “Around the World” (1966) and “Sapnon Ka Saudagar” (1968), were not as successful.
- “Mera Naam Joker” (1970), an ambitious film, faced initial box office failure but later gained recognition as a cult classic.
Personal Life:
- Raj Kapoor married Krishna Malhotra on 12 May 1946. They had five children: Randhir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Rajiv Kapoor, Ritu Nanda, and Rima Jain.
- His granddaughters Karisma Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor, and grandson Ranbir Kapoor are prominent Bollywood stars.
- Kapoor had a romantic relationship with actress Nargis Dutt during the 1940s and 1950s, which ended when Nargis married Sunil Dutt.
Later Years and Family Losses:
- In 1988, Raj Kapoor passed away, leaving a significant impact on Indian cinema.
- Krishna Raj Kapoor, his wife, passed away on 1 October 2018.
- His children Ritu Nanda, Rishi Kapoor, and Rajiv Kapoor passed away in January 2020, April 2020, and February 2021, respectively.
Raj Kapoor’s legacy extends beyond his films; he remains a cultural icon in Indian cinema, known for his artistic contributions and the Kapoor family’s continued influence in the industry.