Raj Kapoor Biography

Raj Kapoor
Date of Birth 14 December 1924, Peshawar, British India (now in Pakistan)
Date of Death 2 June 1988, New Delhi, India. (kidney failure, heart failure, asthma)
Birth Name Ranbir Raj Kapoor
Nickname Showman of Bollywood

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 Pankal, '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.

Spouse Krishna Kapoor (1947 - 2 June 1988) (his death) 5 children

Son of Prithviraj Kapoor, brother of Shammi Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor.

Hindi megastar.

Father of Randhir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor and Rajiv 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 popular Hindi screen couples of the 50s with Nargis.

Personal 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."

Raj Kapoor Filmography

Kim (1984) (TV) .... Policeman

Vakil Babu (1982) .... Advocate Mathur

Gopichand Jasoos (1982) .... Gopichand Jasoos

Abdullah (1980) .... Abdullah

Naukri (1978) .... Swaraj Singh 'Captain'

Satyam Shivam Sundaram: Love Sublime (1978) (voice) (uncredited) .... Narrator... aka Love Sublime ... aka Satyam Shivam Sundaram (India: Hindi title: short title)

Chandi Sona (1977) .... Gypsy singer

Khaan Dost (1976) .... Hawaldar Ramdin

Dharam Karam (1975) .... Ashok Babu

Do Jasoos (1975) .... Dharamchand Jasoos

Mera Desh Mera Dharam (1973)

Kal Aaj Aur Kal (1971) .... Ram Kapoor

Mera Naam Joker (1970) .... Raju (Joker)... aka My Name Is Joker (USA: informal literal title)

Sapnon Ka Saudagar (1968) .... Raj Kumar... aka Sapno Ka Suadagar (India: Hindi title: DVD box title)

Around the World (1967) .... Raj Singh... aka Duniya Ki Sair

Diwana (1967) .... Pyarelal... aka Deewana (India: Hindi title: alternative transliteration) ... aka Lover

Teesri Kasam (1966) .... Hiraman/Meeta... aka The Third Oath ... aka The Third Vow

Dulha Dulhan (1964) .... Raj Kumar

Sangam (1964/I) .... Sunder... aka Confluence (International: English title) (UK)

Dil Hi To Hai (1963) .... Yusuf/Chand/Khan Sahib

Ek Dil Sao Afsane (1963) .... Shekhar

Aashiq (1962)

Nazrana (1961)

Chhalia (1960) .... Chhalia

Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai (1960) .... Raju... aka This Country Where the Ganges Flows (International: English title)

Shriman Satyawadi (1960) .... Vijay

Anari (1959) .... Raj Kumar

Char Dil Char Raahein (1959) .... Govinda... aka Four Faces of India (UK) ... aka Four Hearts, Four Roads

Do Ustad (1959) .... Raj Kumar (Rajan)/Himself

Kanhaiya (1959) .... Kanhaiya

Main Nashe Men Hoon (1959) .... Ram Das Khanna... aka I Am Intoxicated! (literal English title) ... aka Main Nashey Mein Hoon (India: Hindi title: alternative transliteration)

Parvarish (1958) .... Raja Singh

Phil Subha Hogi (1958) .... Ram Babu... aka Phir Subah Hogi (India: Hindi title: correct transliteration)

Sharada (1957) .... Shekhar

Chori Chori (1956) .... Sagar/Sultana Daku

Jagte Raho (1956) .... Man from the village... aka A Night in the City ... aka Ek Din Raatre ... aka Stay Awake ... aka Under Cover of Night

Shree 420 (1955) .... Ranbir Raj/Raj Kumar of Pipli... aka Mr. 420 ... aka Shri 420 (India: Hindi title: alternative transliteration)

Boot Polish (1954) (uncredited) .... Man asleep on train

Aah (1953) .... Raj... aka Avan (India: Tamil title: dubbed version) ... aka Premalekhalu (India: Telugu title: dubbed version)

Dhoon (1953)

Paapi (1953)

Amber (1952) .... Raj

Anhonee (1952) .... Rajkumar Saxena... aka The Impossible

Ashiana (1952) .... Raju

Bewafa (1952) .... Raj

Awaara (1951) .... Raj Raghunath... aka The Tramp ... aka The Vagabond

Banwra (1950)

Bawre Nain (1950) .... Chand

Dastan (1950) .... Raj

Jan Pahchan (1950) .... Anil... aka Jaan Pehchan (India: Hindi title: alternative transliteration)

Pyaar (1950)

Sargam (1950) ... aka Melody (International: English title)

Barsaat (1949) .... Pran... aka Rain ... aka The Monsoons

Andaz (1949) .... Rajan... aka A Matter of Style ... aka Beau monde

Parivartan (1949) ... aka The Change

Sunehre Din (1949) .... Premendra

Aag (1948) .... Kewal Khanna... aka Fire

Amar Prem (1948) ... aka Radha Krishna

Gopinath (1948) .... Mohan

Neel Kamal (1947) .... Madhusudan

Chittor Vijay (1947)

Dil-Ki-Rani (Sweet-Heart) (1947) .... Madhav (Madho)

Jail Yatra (1947)

Valmiki (1946/I)

Gauri (1943)

Hamari Baat (1943)

Inquilab (1935) ... aka After the Earthquake

Prem Rog (1982) (producer) ... aka Love Sickness (International: English title)

Biwi-O-Biwi: The Fun-Film (1981) (producer) ... aka Biwi-O-Biwi (India: Hindi title: short title)

Satyam Shivam Sundaram: Love Sublime (1978) (producer) ... aka Love Sublime ... aka Satyam Shivam Sundaram (India: Hindi title: short title)

Dharam Karam (1975) (producer)

Bobby (1973) (producer)

Kal Aaj Aur Kal (1971) (producer)

Mera Naam Joker (1970) (producer) ... aka My Name Is Joker (USA: informal literal title)

Sangam (1964/I) (producer) ... aka Confluence (International: English title) (UK)

Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai (1960) (producer) ... aka This Country Where the Ganges Flows (International: English title)

Ab Dilli Dur Nahin (1957) (producer) Jagte Raho (1956) (producer) ... aka A Night in the City ... aka Ek Din Raatre ... aka Stay Awake ... aka Under Cover of Night

Shree 420 (1955) (producer) ... aka Mr. 420 ... aka Shri 420 (India: Hindi title: alternative transliteration)

Boot Polish (1954) (producer)

Aah (1953) (producer) ... aka Avan (India: Tamil title: dubbed version) ... aka Premalekhalu (India: Telugu title: dubbed version)

Awaara (1951) (producer) ... aka The Tramp ... aka The Vagabond

Barsaat (1949) (producer) ... aka Rain ... aka The Monsoons

Aag (1948) (producer) ... aka Fire

Director:

Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985)

Prem Rog (1982) ... aka Love Sickness (International: English title)

Satyam Shivam Sundaram: Love Sublime (1978) ... aka Love Sublime ... aka Satyam Shivam Sundaram (India: Hindi title: short title)

Bobby (1973)

Mera Naam Joker (1970) ... aka My Name Is Joker (USA: informal literal title)

Sangam (1964/I) ... aka Confluence (International: English title) (UK)

Shree 420 (1955) ... aka Mr. 420 ... aka Shri 420 (India: Hindi title: alternative transliteration)

Awaara (1951) ... aka The Tramp ... aka The Vagabond

Barsaat (1949) ... aka Rain ... aka The Monsoons Aag (1948)

... aka Fire

Miscellaneous Crew:

Badhaai Ho Badhaai (2002) (in tribute to)

Aa Ab Laut Chalen (1999) (tribute) ... aka Lets Go Back (International: English title)

Prem Rog (1982) (presenter) ... aka Love Sickness (International: English title)

Kal Aaj Aur Kal (1971) (presenter)

Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai (1960) (presenter) ... aka This Country Where the Ganges Flows (International: English title)

Ab Dilli Dur Nahin (1957) (presenter)

Jagte Raho (1956) (presenter) ... aka A Night in the City ... aka Ek Din Raatre ... aka Stay Awake ... aka Under Cover of Night

Editor:

Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985)

Prem Rog (1982) ... aka Love Sickness (International: English title)

Satyam Shivam Sundaram: Love Sublime (1978) ... aka Love Sublime ... aka Satyam Shivam Sundaram (India: Hindi title: short title)

Bobby (1973)

Mera Naam Joker (1970) ... aka My Name Is Joker (USA: informal literal title)

Sangam (1964/I) ... aka Confluence (International: English title) (UK)

Writer:

Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985) (story)

Thanks:

PremGranth (1996) (inspiration) ... aka Prem Granth (India: Hindi title: video box title)

Henna (1991) (inspiration)

Eeshwar (1989) (dedicatee)

Gangaa Jamunaa Saraswathi (1988) (dedicatee) (as Late Shri Raj Kapoor)

Anand (1970) (dedicatee)

Love in Tokyo (1966) (grateful thanks) (as Shri Raj Kapoor)

Self:

Raj Kapoor (1987) .... Himself

Naseeb (1981) .... Himself... aka Destiny

Archive Footage:

Eeshwar (1989) (uncredited) .... Himself

Raj Kapoor Awards & Nomination