Raj Kapoor

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.

Raj Kapoor was the highest paid actor with Dilip Kumar in Hindi Cinema from 1950-56 and the 2nd highest paid Hindi actor along-with Dev Anand from 1957-63.

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.

Starred in R.K.Nayyar Films "Teesra Kaun"(1963). The film was to be made in Hindi and English. Starring Raj Kapoor,Saira Banu,Joy Mukherjee, Music by Shankar Jaikishen, English dialogue - Arjun Dev Rashq, Story and Screenplay -Harish Kumar Mehra, Hindi Dialogues - Agha Jani Kashmeri, Produced and Directed by R.K. Nayyar.

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 Panchal, 'Shankarsinh Raguwanshi'), and playback singers, including Mukesh, 'Mohamed Rafi', and Lata Mangeshkar.

Starred in the shelved movie Rawal Films "Chor Mandli"(1976) Starring Ashok Kumar,Raj Kapoor,Nutan, Vinod Mehra,Rita Bhaduri,Nutan, Bindu,Music Kalyanji Anandji, Directed by C.L. Rawal.

The album The Peter Moss Sound - R. K.'s Film Hits (Instrumental) had electro,disco instrumental's of Raj Kapoor' classic songs. It was recorded in London England in 1981 and released on Multitone Records LTD.

Vishal Goswami (Son of Manoj Kumar) released a ghazal album in 1988 called Surahi. He sang all the songs. The album was released by T Seirs. Raj Kapoor spoke a few lines in the beginning of the album.

Daughter Reema Kapoor married Manoj Jain in January 1989.