Raj Kapoor

This super star needs no special introduction. His name and fame talks it all. Raj Kapoor, fondly known as 'The Show-Man' of Bollywood, ruled his era with his eternal charm. The son of the legendary actor Prithviraj Kapoor and Ramsarni Devi Kapoor, Raj Kapoor was born on 14 December, 1924 in Peshawar region, which falls in Pakistan now. He had six siblings and he is the eldest one among them. Two siblings of him expired as infants. Shashi Kapoor aka Balbir Raj Kapoor and late Shammi Kapoor aka Shamsher Raj Kapoor are the real brothers of Raj Kapoor. Urmila Sial is his sister. Ranbir Raj Kapoor was the birth name of Raj Kapoor, who created his supremacy on the stage as well as on the big screen. He finished his schooling from Colonel Brown Cambridge School in Dehradun.

Krishna Kapoor, the sister of the actors Premnath and Rajendra Nath, is the wife of Raj Kapoor. The ace actors Randhir Kapoor, Rajiv Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor are the sons of Raj Kapoor. Karisma Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor are grand-daughters of the star and Ranbir Kapoor is the grand-son.

In the 1940's, Raj Kapoor did apprenticeship in Bollywood production studios. He directed, produced and acted in the film 'Aag' (1948) at the age of 24 years. Two National Film Awards, nine Filmfare Awards, twice nominations at the Cannes Film Festival for the Palme d'Or grand prize for his movies 'Boot Polish' (1954) and 'Awara' (1951) are into the credit of this versatile star. Time magazine ranked his performance in the film 'Awara' as one of the top ten greatest performances of all time. His movies literally saw golden days in Asia and Europe proving as commercially successful films. In 1971, Padma Bhushan award was conferred to him by the Government of India. For his valuable contribution in Indian cinema, Raj Kapoor bagged Dadasaheb Phalke Award in the year 1987. Stardust Awards honored the actor with 'Best Director of the Millennium' title in 2001, while 'Showman of the Millennium' was the titled presented to him by Star Screen Awards in 2002.

He was only 11 years old, when he acted in the film 'Inquilab' in 1935. The lead role in the movie 'Neel Kamal' opposite ceaseless beauty Madhubala offered him a full-fledged platform as an actor. Raj Kapoor was just 24 years old, when he commenced his own studio, R. K. Films. During that time, he was the youngest film director. 'Aag' was his directorial debut film alongside Nargis, Kamini Kaushal and Premnath. Several songs from his movies garnered much fame and they are adored even today by the people. Some of them include 'Ae Bhai Zara Dekh Ke Chalo', 'Laaga Chunari Mein Daag', 'Yeh Raat Bhigi Bhigi', 'Aaja Sanam Madhur Chandni Mein Hum', 'Dil Ka Haal Sune Dil Wala', 'Chalat Musafir', 'Mama O Mama', 'Pyar Hua Ikrar Hua', 'Jahan Mein Jati Hoon Wahin Chale Aate Ho', 'Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh', 'Masti Bhara Hai Samaan' and many more.

The movies of this great persona dominate Bollywood even today due to their understanding of direction and music. The actor dealt with various heart-touching topics like unemployment, poverty, national pride, romance, etc. The music in Kapoor's films bestowed smooth storytelling fluidity to his movies. He was surrounded by several skilled actors, writers, directors, singers and musicians.

The prominent films acted and directed by the actor include 'Barsaat' (1949), 'Sangam' (1964), 'Sapno Ka Saudagar' (1968), 'Around The World' 1967), 'Teesri Kasam', 'Aashiq', 'Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai (1960), 'Ashiana', 'Bewafa', 'Anari' (1959), 'Shree 420', 'Chori Chori', 'Mera Naam Joker', 'Aah', 'Jagte Raho', 'Andaaz', 'Anhonee', 'Jaan Pahechan', 'Kal Aaj Aur Kal', 'Main Nashe Men Hoon', 'Dhoon', 'Dil Hi To Hai', 'Mera Desh Mera Dharam', 'Pyar', 'Shriman Satyawadi', 'Ek Dil Sau Afsane', 'Sher Afghan', 'Lootera' (1965), 'Lal Bangla' (1966), 'Amber', 'Sunehre Din', 'Chhatrapati Shivaji', 'After The Earthquake', 'Dagabaz Ashiq', 'Daku Mangal Singh', 'Vakil Baboo', 'Bombay By Night', 'Dulha Dulhan', 'Aasman Mahal', 'Senapati', 'Parivartan', 'Raj Nartaki', 'Chingari' 'Do Jasoos', 'Kanhaiya', 'Baware Nain', 'Mughal-E-Azam', 'Nazrana' (1961), 'Jail Yatra', 'Dahej', 'Amar Prem', 'Naukri', 'Aag Ka Dariya', 'Abdullah', 'Ab Dili Door Nahin', 'Love And Murder', 'Seeta', 'Rajrani Meera' 'Aaj Ka Hindustan', 'Pagal', 'Raj Nartaki', 'Sargam', 'Dastaan', 'Chhalia', 'Gopichand Jasoos', 'Swarg Ki Sidhi', 'Diwana', 'Phir Subha Hogi', 'Sharada', 'Satyam Shivam Sundaram', 'Prem Rog', 'Ram Teri Ganga Maili' and to list a few.

The actor breathed his last on 2 June, 1988. He was suffering from Asthama during his last days. Several themes from his films are borrowed by today's filmmakers.

The magical aura of Raj Kapoor has kept his name alive even today not only in India, but also all over the world.