What others have to say about Raj Kapoor

RANBIRAJ KAPOOR 1924 - 1988)

Raj born 14th dec 1924 died 2nd june 1988

www.rajkapoorindia.com

"A lot of work of every artist, of anyone in any creative profession, is somewhat autobiographical ...... Something of his experience is always attached to it, it remains there and one brings it out in one form or another. That is how it is."

 

Rajji, as he was always addressed, was the eldest son of Prithviraj and Rama Kapoor. He was born on 14 December 1924 in Peshawar, an army cantonment town in the North West Frontier Province of British India, now in Pakistan.

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. His nemisis at studies was the cumpolsory second language, Latin. He achieved the unprecedented distinction of winning the All India Elocution Competion for three successive years but failed in Latin and that was the end of his academic career. When Papaji asked him as to why he wished to leave school and not try again he replied, "Sir, If I graduate what happens? If you want to become a lawyer you go to a law college; if you want to be a doctor you go to a medical school; and if you want to be a film-maker, where do you go?" Papaji had no answer. It was ordained.

The next 5 years he devoted to learning the different arts of film making in all departments as an assistant. In 1944 he joined Papaji's Prithvi Theatres and was responsible for all that happened backstage, right from the lighting of the sets and sound effects and music to art direction in their first stage play 'Shakuntala". In the next play "Deewar" he acted in a small role of the servant boy

He did his first film as a hero in Kedar Sharma's "Neel Kamal". There followed a number of small films like "Jail Yatra', "Amar Prem", "Dil Ki Rani", "Chittor Vijay" but these were of little consequence, as his heart and mind were set on a different path he had chosen for himself.

His own production, RK Films took shape in 1947 with his first directorial venture, "Aag". Though not a great success it established his obsession as an intense film-maker. A year later his second film "Barsaat", also produced, directed and acted in by him, made headlines as a box office super hit and became the springboard of an outstanding career.

After Barsaat he made the most universally accepted socio-musical and romantic film with a very topical and strong message to world cinema about film standards in India, comprising the first ever father son combination, "Awara".

RAJ KAPOOR: The passion for cinema runs in the Kapoor genes. The eldest son of actor Prithviraj Kapoor grew up under the arc lights. Raj Kapoors blue eyes were always dreamy and full of ambition. Some dreams clicked; some didnt just like his films. Come to think of it, Raj Kapoors films werent great vis-à-vis the theme or the depth. But a mix of drama, dreams and most importantly, sensuousness flowed in all Raj Kapoors leading ladies Nargis, Vyjayantimala Bali, Padmini, Zeenat Aman, Dimple Kapadia
Actor, director, producer and entrepreneur. He was all that. But most importantly, he was The Big Showman. Raj Kapoors legacy lives on through his kith and kin in the Hindi film industry and of course, through RK Films.

AWARA: The film that gave Raj Kapoor, and to a certain extent Indian cinema, international recognition. The song Awara hoon, resounded in every nook and corner of not only India, but also the then USSR and European countries. This was the film in which the image of the tramp, the Chaplinesque figure, emerged. Raj Kapoor went on to immortalise it in Shree 420.

SANGAM: Raj Kapoors first colour film reflected the actor-filmmakers showmanship at its best. Thespian Dilip Kumar was the first choice for this triangular love story starring Raj Kapoor and Vyjayantimala, but the role was ultimately bagged by Rajendra Kumar. The film was shot in Rome, Paris, London et al. The director took his stars to various cities to attend the premiere shows. But sadly was Raj Kapoor, the returns were not as fabulous as the pre-release hype. Yet, Sangam remains one of Raj Kapoors most-remembered films.

JIS DESH MEIN GANGA BEHTI HAI: The Raj Kapoor-Padmini starrer, with its diluted Gandhian philosophy and inspired by Vinoba Bhave was a great hit. The story is about a naive do-gooders love for a dacoit girl and how he succeeds in reforming the gang she belongs to. Incidentally, son Rishi Kapoor took the first few words of the most popular song of that movie, Aa ab laut chalen for the title of the film he made recently.

MERA NAAM JOKER: This 1970 film was the swansong of Raj Kapoor, the actor. The audiences did not accept Raj Kapoors clownish antiqcs, notwithstanding the melodrama and the three beautiful women in the film. The songs Jeena yahan, marna yahan and Jaane kahan gaye wo din were the only redeeming elements in an otherwise mediocre movie. After this film, Raj Kapoor restricted himself to direction and gave sensuous hits like Bobby, Satyam Shivam Sundaram and Ram Teri Ganga Maili etc.

Raj Kapoor's first film role was at the age of seven in Inquilab,

produced in 1935 by Debaki Bose.

Memorable Films

As an Actor

Andaaz (1949)
Anhonee (1952)
Chori Chori (1956)
Parvarish (1958)
Phir Subah Hogi (1958)
Anadi (1959)
Chhalia (1960)
Teesri Kasam (1966)

As an Actor-Producer

Jaagte Raho (1956)
Jis Desh Main Ganga Behti Hai (1960)

As an Actor-Producer-Director

Aag (1948)
Barsaat (1949)
Awaara (1951)
Shree 420 (1955)
Sangam (1964)
Mera Naam Joker (1970)

As Producer-Director

Bobby (1973)
Prem Rog (1982)
Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985)

As Producer

Boot Polish (1954)
Ab Dilli Door Nahin (1957)

 

 

His Story

It was then that the whole thing just entered me, and I could not do anything except belong to the world of show business, theatre and cinema.

I was very fair, with blue eyes. My fathers actresses used to cuddle me whenever I visited the stage. I used to feel very excited as they fondled me, but even as early as that I had learnt the art of concealing emotions. I was extremely precocious. And I was a worshipper of nudity. I think it all started because of my intimacy with my mother who was young, beautiful, and had the sharp features of a Pathan woman. We often bathed together, and seeing her in the nude must have left a deep erotic impression on my mind. In my films, bathing scenes recur often. There is an excellent Urdu phrase, Muqaddas uriyan which means sacred nudity. But women in general occupy most of my childhood memories, and have seeped into my films like ghosts that refused to be buried.

Raj kapoor touching father Prithviraj Kapoor's feet.

Raj Kapoor would touch his mothers and fathers feet reverently. That is one thing he never missed anywhere, any time. He would often remember his father as having said, Today people remark that Raj Kapoor is the son of Prithviraj Kapoor, but a time will come when people will say, there goes Prithviraj Kapoor, the father of Raj Kapoor. That will be the biggest day in my life.

His sister

Umi, the only sister of the Kapoors, following the family tradition, married and lived a life away from show business. She fondly recalls her brothers unique combination of playfulness and arrogance, followed by instant humility. Many years after our parents died, we would sit below their large framed photographs, hung above his low mattress, and talk. He never slept on a bed ever! His face would sadden and his glorious blue eyes cloud with memories which nobody could penetrate, and then he would heave a sigh, shake his head at her and say, 'But I have yet much more to learn and more to create.I still have so much work to do'. Just as I wondered at his sincere humility, he would suddenly yell, 'But without me where would you all be! Ahm brahm aasmi! [in Sanskrit, I am what I am].

A letter written by Raj Kapoor to his wife, before leaving for the North Eastern Frontier at the time of India's war with China.

To you my eternal love and life, to you, mother of my children, my dear wife Krishna, I am addressing a letter to express an emotional consciousness that is the truth and reality. Admitting to all my faults and shortcomings in all spheres of my life, domestic as well as worldly. Wherever I have failed to reciprocate love and affection from my very own near and dear, it is not that I am not aware of all the feelings of belongings bestowed on me, but that in my maddening self-centredness I am unable to express that, as much as you all belong to me, my bondage to you becomes stronger than ever.
Maybe it is this bondage that gives me strength to act and react on all diversities of life pertaining to my very existence, namely, my work. I am attempting to write to you, how much of it I will be able to do, I do not know. You know very well, I am an impulsive man. But one thing is very sure and clear to me, and that is we both have to create an atmosphere of communion with each other. Let me be the first to reach you and tell you no matter what I am, who I am and where I am, the imperishable truth is that I am, and I am yours.
With all my love, ever yours Raj.

Raj Kapoor with eldest son Randhir

Raj Kapoor's eldest son Randhir was born on 15th February 1947. The same year he started shooting his first film, "Aag". With the birth of his first child also arrived his first car. Daughter Ritu was born on 30th October 1948. R.K. Films acquired its first office in May 1948 and in October the same year Raj Kapoor released his second film, "Barsaat". It was then that he acquired his second car, that sleek convertible Oldsmobile which was a flamboyant part of Raj Kapoor in the fifties. The film "Andaz", with Raj Kapoor as the hero, was released this year and earned him a lot of popularity.

(picture no 12)

Raj with his son Rishi

With his son Rishi, born on 4th September 1952, the year that Raj Kapoor first went to the USA to attend the Indian International Film Festival.(picture no 13)

With his daughter Rima, born on 28th September 1956. That was a phase of his life when financial crisis led him to work in films other than his own, and with other heroines - Nutan, Mala Sinha, Saira Banu, Waheeda Rehman

(Picture no 14)

Raj with his youngest son Rajiv

With his youngest son Rajiv, born on 25th August 1962 the year he planned to make "Sangam".

(picture no 15)

Raj Kapoors bungalow will house tech centre
My father had a dream. He wanted Rajbaugh to be used for educational and social purposes, says Rajeev Kapoor, Raj Kapoors youngest sons. Rajbaugh, the 100-acre Kapoor estate in Loni village, Pune was sold to the Maharashtra Institute of Technology recently.

The place evokes nostalgic memories of the showman who came there to retreat from the daily grind in Mumbai. Raj saab used to come here three or four times a week. He used to sleep on a gadda (mattress) spread on the wooden floor. He used to write his stories here, recalls Soha Sharma, who worked there as a cook.

Vishwanath Karad, from the institute, who looked after the sale, says, the Kapoors could have sold the property to any big developer. But they decided to give the property to benefit a larger section of society. The bungalow will be turned into a museum in memory of Raj Kapoor.

Karad adds, We will have a gurukul where yoga, ancient Indian culture and Sanskrit will be part of the curriculum. We will also have a college for technical education. The details are still being finalized. The Raj Kapoor memory will linger on despite the sell-out, promises Rajeev Kapoor.

At last

Anil Kapoor :  also discloses that despite some physical similarities, he is not related by blood to the Raj Kapoor dynasty, although the two families have always been very close. He says, "You could say I am as close to them as any close relative can be.

"My father and grandfather are from Peshawar and they used to stay in the same lane as Raj Kapoor's family. That is how they came together. My grandfather, father and Raj Kapoor all came to India together from Pakistan. "I always look up to them and don't think I will be able to reach upto them, ever."

 

Raj kapoor was from kandahar and on partition moved over. There was a film of his life and he always referred to himself as punjabi.

for example,he was saying things like--in punjab,we have an old saying-----.or us punjabis-----.
i think that its mainly rishi who refers to pathans.maybe they identify,with the region--living there so long but they still seemed to call themselves punjabis.they are a mixed hindu/sikh family too.

With Kapoor's death, the R.K. banner is in the hands of his eldest son Randhir Kapoor. The film Henna (1991), shot in India and Pakistan, was an attempt at encouraging friendlier ties between the two countries and pointing out the futility of hatred. He shot two songs for Henna before his death on June 2, 1988.

KARISHNA RANBIRAJ KAPOOR

In reality she is Prithviraj Kapoor's cousin. Yes. His mother's brother's daughter. A pretty little lady from a crew of 13 siblings including Premnath and Rajindernath, product of three wives of Mr. Malhotra, IG of Police, Rewa at the time of her marriage to Raj Kapoor in 1946. The results of her Matriculation examination were declared after the wedding and she had passed with distinctions. In life to follow as Raj Kapoor's wife her contribution to his success and the upbringing and love she gave to her offsprings was to bring far greater laurels to her unending list of distinguished achievements, but there is no escaping the fact that she was first his Aunt and then his wife.

She was 16 and he was 22. She was new to the Bombay environment and he was on the threshold of stardom. As his career graph ascended both as an actor then director and producer to studio-owner, she accepted the chores of a housewife and mother of his children. She played her part as hostess to his friends and business associates to such perfection that it is still considered a landmark of film parties like the ones hosted by Mrs. Raj Kapoor.