Raj Kapoor was one of the most noted Bollywood filmmakers of the yesteryears. Much before he entered the arena of direction. Apart from that, he also indulged in production and gave the industry a number of hit films. One of the most prominent members of the famous ‘Kapoor’ family of Bollywood, he continues to be held in the highest esteem by filmmakers of not only India, rather across the world.
Background
Ranbirraj Kapoor was born on 14th December 1924 in Peshawar, which is now in Pakistan. His father was the theater actor Prithviraj Kapoor and mother was Ramsarni Devi. They belonged to the Hindu Pathan community. His grandfather was Dewan Basheswarnath Kapoor. He had a sister Urmila Sial and two brothers, both of whom were actors, Shammi Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor.
Education
His basic education was spread over different places as Papaji (Prithviraj) was then on the move. He studied in Peshawar, then did part of his schooling in Calcutta and eventually failed to get a form to appear for the Matric exam in Bombay's Antonia D'souza High School.
Career
At the age of eleven, he appeared in films for the first time, in the 1935 film “Inquilab”. After acting in several films over the next 12 years, Raj Kapoor's big break came with the lead role in “Neel Kamal” 1947. 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 starring himself, Nargis, Kamini Kaushal and Premnath. In 1949 he co-starred alongside Dilip Kumar and Nargis in Mehboob Khan's blockbuster “Andaz” which was his first major success as an actor.He went on to produce, direct/or star in many box office hits.In 1964 he produced, directed and starred in the romantic musical Sangam alongside Rajendra Kumar and Vyjayantimala which was his first film in colour. This was his last major success as a leading actor as his later films like “Around the World” (1966) and “Sapnon Ka Saudagar” (1968) with younger starlets Rajshree and Hema Malini were box office flops. In 1965 he was a member of the jury at the 4th Moscow International Film Festival. He acted in fewer films by the late 1970s and early 1980s but played notable supporting roles alongside Rajesh Khanna in Naukri (1979) and alongside Sanjay Khan in Abdullah (1980). In 1979 he was a member of the jury at the 11th Moscow International Film Festival.Raj Kapoor's last major film appearance was in Vakil Babu (1982) wherein 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. He also started R.K films industry.
Views
Quotations:
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.