The Most Talented Star Kid Ever
Any Guesses???
Let’s play a game. I’ll help you with clues and let’s see how many of you make the right guess.
First Clue
Awarded with Padma Bhushan & Dadasaheb Phalke Award (Highest in Indian Cinema)
I hope you all might have guessed it. Not yet? Here the next clue.
Second Clue
At the age of 10, appeared for the first in Hindi Cinema.
I know, this was difficult. Let’s move to next clue
Third Clue
Film Historians and Movie Buffs speaks him of as the “Charlie Chaplin of Indian Cinema”
Is it so difficult to guess? I hope few of you might have guessed it correct. If not, here’s the next clue
Fourth Clue
Referred as the “Greatest Showman Of Indian Cinema”
I hope by this time, you all might have guessed him.
He is none other than the Legend Raj Kapoor Sahab
Our young generation might have never heard of him so to let them know — the major “Kapoors” that you have heard — Randhir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Karishma Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor and Ranbir Kapoor are his descendant.
Raj Kapoor was born to Prithviraj Kapoor (played Akbar in Mughal-E-Azam), and Ramsarni Devi Kapoor in 1924 and his brothers were late Shammi Kapoor and late Shashi Kapoor. He first made his screen appearance at the age of 10 in 1935's Inquilab and by the age of 24 established his own studio R. K. Films marking himself as the youngest film director of his time with his directorial debut Aag starring himself along with Nargis, Kamini Kaushal and Premnath.
He didn’t limit himself to an Actor or Director, he also stretched himself as Producer and editor and made a remarkable impact. He had been awarded for his efforts as
Great Actor
Won best Actor award for Anari, Teesri Kasam, Mera Naam Joker, Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai
Great Producer
National Award for Shree 420, Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai
Great Director
Won Filmfare Award for Best Director for Sangam, Mera Naam Joker, Bobby, Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Ram Teri Ganga Maili
Great Editor
Won Filmfare Award for Best Editing for Sangam, Ram Teri Ganga Maili
We can just see his popularity not only in India but overseas too.
In India
For those who don’t know, Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award was originally known as Raj Kapoor award for Lifetime Achievement.
Won Dadasaheb Phalke Award, highest award in Indian Cinema
A postage stamp, bearing his face was released by India post to honour him
A brass statue of his was unveiled at Walk of the Streets at Bandra Bandstand in Mumbai
Overseas
He was the a member of jury at the 4th Moscow International Films.
In 1967, “Songs about Yogi” by Vladimir Vysotsky mentioned Raj Kapoor as one of the three best-known symbols of Indian Culture in Soviet Union along with Shiva and Yoga.
Nominated twice for the Palme d’Or at Cannes Film Festival
and the list continues…
The reason why Raj Kapoor’s name is still taken with respect because his movies were not only limited to one social issue or genre. His movies had covered aspects like
Corporate Greed : Shree 420
Generation Gaps : Kal, Aaj Aur Kal
Status of Honesty in a dishonest World : Shriman Satyawadi
Teenage Romance with rich-versus-poor clash : Bobby
Social mentality about physical and spiritual love : Satyam Shivam Sundaram
Widow Remarriage : Prem Rog
and the list goes on…
He was one one of the finest Actor, Producer, Editor, Visionary Director and founder of RK studio. In my view, Raj Kapoor was a visionary person who use to think ahead of its time. He always focused on social issues and his characters were generally based on common man’s life.
Few facts about Raj Kapoor known to very few
# His real name is not “Raj”, it’s “Ranbir”
# He started his career with Vishkanya as a clapper.
#The scene in Bobby where Rishi Kapoor meets Dimple Kapadia is inspired by his real life incident when he met the actress Nargis.
# He had breathing issues and Hrishikesh Mukherjee, a very close friend of him use to have nightmares of Raj Kapoor dying of asphyxiation. Anand movie was inspired by his bad dreams.
# He died without completing his last film Heena
# Before receiving Dadasaheb Phalke award, he was rushed to the hospital for chest pain.
