Raj Kapoor is the first name that comes to mind when Bollywood is mentioned, an iconic legendary actor who paved the way for all of his predecessors and is the foundation of Hindi Cinema. He made his name and rose to fame. He is remembered as The Greatest Showman of Indian Cinema, also often compared to the legendary Charlie Chaplin. Raj Kapoor starred in many blockbuster films in the 50’s Awaara where he took great inspiration for his character from Charlie Chaplin and Shree 420. His exemplary performance warranted him receiving several accolades, such as 3 National Film Awards 11 Filmfare Awards and many more. He was a beloved actor in not only India but also left an impression in many countries globally, such as parts of Asia, Middle Eastern countries, Caribbean and African countries as well as the Soviet Bloc. He was later awarded the Padma Bhushan Award in 1971 for his contributions to the field of arts and films. As well as, The Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1987.
He started his acting career at the ripe age of 10 when he featured in a film called Inquilab in 1935, but his big break came in the year 1947 when he starred in the film Neel Kamal alongside Madhubala, who was a debut actress. After that success, he set up his foundation in Indian Cinema pretty firmly by setting up his movie studio at the young age of 20 called R.K Films. He was the youngest director of his decade while making his directorial debut with the film Aag, featuring prominent actors like himself, Nargis, Premnath, and Kamini Kaushal. In 1970 he released Mere Noam Joker, a film that took almost a decade to complete where his younger son Rishi Kapoor made his debut as a younger version of himself. The film did not do well and turned out to be a box office disaster putting him and his family in financial crisis. Yet in the later years, the film came to be known as a cult classic film. He took to launching and making his son’s careers phenomenally, he launched his eldest son Randhir Kapoor in a series called Kal Aaj Aur Kal starring almost the whole Kapoor clan, himself, his son Randhir Kapoor, his father Prithviraj Kapoor and Randhir’s to be bride Babita. Rishi Kapoor’s career was launched similarly when he starred in a film directed and produced by his father, called Bobby. Raj Kapoor changed the trajectory of Indian Cinema by introducing new and different cultures to his films for example in the film Bobby, his actress wore a bikini which was a new phenomenon in the film industry.
He had the privilege of being a member of the jury at the 11th Moscow International Film Festival. The legendary actor passed away in 1988 at the age of 63 due to complications that arose with his asthma. He collapsed at an event where he was to receive his Dadasaheb Phalke Award. After being hospitalised for a month the actor lost his battle of life and succumbed to his illness. Before his death he was working on a film Henna, the film was later completed by both of his sons and released in 1991.
Raj Kapoor is often called “The Greatest Showman of Indian Cinema”, he is often also referred to as the Charlie Chaplin of Indian cinema due to his portrayal of a tramp-like figure and the cheerful yet naive characters he played. A postage stamp was released in his honour in 2001 and as well as a bronze statue of him was unveiled at Bandra Bandstand at Walk of The Stars in 2012.
Raj Kapoor is a celebrity of the celebrities and his absence is celebrated daily in the form of the string foundation he engraved in the Indian Cinema leaving a permanent mark to remember him by.
