Raj Kapoor was the son of well-known Indian actor Prithviraj Kapoor, who acted both in film and on stage. After apprenticing in the Bollywood production studios of the 1940’s, at 24 years of age Raj Kapoor produced, directed and acted in Aag (1948), with his new company, RK Films. His next production, Barsaat (1949), was a smash hit. In 1951, he also produced, directed and starred in Awaara (1951), which was another megahit, and costarred Nargis, who had appeared in Aag and Barsaat. Awaara also gained popular acclaim in Russia, where the movie and songs were dubbed into Russian. The theme song, Awaara Hoon, was popular in the East for many years. Kapoor has been dubbed “a great showman,”” and a filmmaker in the purest Romantic tradition, as he strove to entertain as well as address social themes close to his heart. Awaara dealt with the question of what forms an individual’s moral grounding, (“”nurture or nature””) while incorporating comedy and stirring love scenes; in Shree 420 (1955) he addressed issues of poverty, unemployment and national pride in the new Indian state at the same time maintaining the audience’s interest in the romantic plot. While never revolutionary in tone, many of his films explore the ability of the individual to overcome economic and environmental injustice while maintaining his/her innocence and integrity. He is quoted as believing that the individual’s struggles ultimately lead to the desire for love, to care and be cared for. This is consistent with his admiration of Charles Chaplin, and Kapoor’s own “”tramp”” (Awaara, Shree 420, Mera Naam Joker (1970) is modeled somewhat on his mentor, though with a definite individual flair.His films demonstrate an understanding of music and direction that continue to influence Bollywood filmmaking today. Also a musician, his understanding of the musical feel of his movies gives them a storytelling fluidity equal to that of the best American movie musicals. He surrounded himself with the foremost talents in filmmaking, acting, writing (Kwaja Ahmad Abbas’), music composition (Jaikishan Dayabhai Panchal, ‘Shankarsinh Raguwanshi’), and playback singers, including Mukesh, ‘Mohamed Rafi’, and Lata Mangeshkar. Kapoor continued to make films of varying critical and popular success up until his death in 1988, and apparently considered Mera Naam Joker his personal favorite. He is still a well-known name not only in India, but in the Middle East, SE Asia, and Eastern Europe. His descendants have attempted to continue the RK Films banner.”
Raj Kapoor
Movies
Mera Naam Joker
Raju is a joker, a clown. It is what he is and what he always shall be. As his life story unfolds in three chapters, from his school days to the circus to the streets, he must always make people laugh and be happy, no matter how unhappy he is…
Boot Polish
Toddlers Belu and Bhola share an uncertain future when their mom dies in the plague, and their dad is imprisoned. They are then left in the uncaring care of Kamla, their aunt, who moonlights as a prostitute. She is cruel,abusive and forces them to take to a life of begging…
Fun Facts
Son of Prithviraj Kapoor, brother of Shammi Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor.
Father of Randhir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor and Rajeev Kapoor. Also daughters: Reetu Nanda and Reema.
Grandfather of Karisma Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor. His daughter's son, Nikhil Nanda, is married to Shweta Bachchan, daughter of fellow Indian film legend Amitabh Bachchan.
Most important Indian film star of the 20th century together with Amitabh Bachchan
Formed one of the most iconic and romantic Hindi screen couples of the 50s with 'Nargis (I)'. Off screen, he was passionately and deeply in love with Nargis, while married to Krishna Kapoor.
Raj Kapoor was the highest paid actor with Dilip Kumar in Hindi Cinema from 1950-56 and the 2nd highest paid Hindi actor along-with Dev Anand from 1957-63.
Uncle to Bollywood actors Karan Kapoor, Kunal Kapoor, Sanjana Kapoor.
Cousin to Bollywood director Vijay Kapoor and Bollywood actor Vicky Kapoor ( Har Har Mahadev- 1950).
Nephew of actor Trilok Kumar. (Prithviraj' s brother).
Uncle to actors Prem Kishen and Monty Nath.
Brother in law of Prem Nath ( wife's brother).
Nephew of actor Kamal Kapoor ( Prithviraj's cousin).
Grand uncle to Director Siddharth Malhotra and actress Akanksha Malhotra ( Prem Kishen 's children).
Uncle to actor / director Aditya Raj Kapoor.
Prem Chopra and Raj Kapoor married sisters.
Raj Kapoor's maternal uncle ( Mother's brother) actor Jugal Kishore Mehra , converted to Islam and married actress/ singer Anwari Begum. Their daughter was actress Nasreen Agha. Nasreen's daughter is Actress/ singer Salma Agha .This made Raj Kapoor a cousin of Nasreen. There for Salma Agha is the niece of Raj Kapoor.
Raj Kapoor's maternal uncle Jugal Kishore Mehra was not the biological father of wife'Anwari Begum's daughter actress Zarina ( Nasreen), He married Anwari Begum when Zarina was 5 years old. He adopted Zarina ( Nasreen ) and accepted her as his own.
Cousin of actor Subbiraj.
Cousin of actor Vijay Kapoor.
Uncle to actor Jatin Sial ( Sister Urmila 's son). His sister name is Preeti Sial Grover.
Grand niece is actress Akanksha Malhotra ( Nephew Prem Kishen daughter).
Grand nephew is director Siddharth Malhotra ( Nephew Prem Kishen son).
Grandniece Pooja Desai was a assistant director in Om Shanti Om. She is the granddaughter of Shammi Kapoor.
Grandson Armaan Jain is also a actor.
His nephew is Sanjay Kapoor the CEO of Talking Pictures Productions in Bahrain. Sanjay is the son of director Vijay Kapoor. Vijay Kapoor has another son named Ajay Kapoor. Ajay Kapoor is the Executive Director at Indra Media Pvt Ltd. Ajay is Zee Sports - Head of Programming. Ajay has also been a producer of several drama series. He has also been the Nimbus Television - Creative Director. Ajay has also been the producer of Ten Sports. Director Vijay Kapoor also has a daughter named Anuradha settled in India. Anuradha has a daughter settled in Australia.
Raj Kapoor was to direct a film titled "Param Vir Chakra"" in the early 80's starring Randhir Kapoor
Quotes
Our people are gracious and kind. They go to all the trouble to go to a cinema, stand in long queues and procure a ticket. They go through the hustle and bustle, through the blazing sun and the thrashing rain, to see your film, and; as I have always said - if you do not cheat the audience, they are very kind to you. Don't make a fool of them. Do not take them for granted. They may not be as intelligent or as critical as other audiences, but why they have come there, they know: they want to be entertained.
There is nothing in this world except love. The more you spread it or give it, the more it expands. The more you accept love, the stronger it becomes. The more you bring out love, the better and greater you become. There are many forms of love. If you make it narrow, then it becomes selfish. Selfish love can benefit a person but he loses his significance.