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Bollywood Actor Raj Kapoor
Raj Kapoor, this name is the ultimate in Bollywood filmdom. Raj Kapoor full name is Ranbir Raj Kapoor. He was born on 14th December 1924 in Peshawar what was then a part of unified India and is now a part of Pakistan. His father Prithviraj Kapoor was also a famed actor of his time while his mother’s name is Rama Kapoor. Most of his grandchildren have been successful and well known Bollywood actors like Kareena Kapoor, Karisma Kapoor and Ranbir Kapoor. Rishi Kapoor, Rajiv Kapoor and Randhir Kapoor are the three sons of Raj kapoor. Raj Kapoor started his career in the form of a clapper boy on the sets of Kidar Sharma’s film. At the tender age of 11 he for the first time appeared in the movie Inquilab (1935). In the next 12 years of his career spanning from 1935 to 1947 he appeared in many movies doing bits and pieces roles to make a living and with the dream of making it big in Bollywood. His big success came in 1947 when he played to lead actor’s role in the hit movie – Neel Kamal. In 1948 when the country was regrouping after independence Raj Kapoor launched his own studio R.K. Film and started directing (he was the youngest film director of that period). In 1948 he acted, produced and directed the movie ‘Aag’. Aag was the first of many movies that Raj Kapoor would act in with Nargis. But to his disappointment the film failed at the collection centers and his directorial debut turned out to be a flop. He returned to winning ways in 1949 with the super hit movie ‘Andaz’ also starring Nargis but this movie had him only as an actor. This success spurred him to make another movie in 1949 titled ‘Barsaat’. And as fate would have it the film went on to become Raj Kapoor’s first success as a director & actor. The movie stars Raj Kapoor, Nargis and Prem Nath. Thereafter there was no looking back for this wonderful and highly acclaimed director. In the coming years he produced, directed and actor in some of the most memorable movies of that time. His movies have today become classics and could be an encyclopedia for those who want to gain knowledge about the post independence Bollywood movies made in India. Films like ‘Awaara’ released in 1951, ‘Shree 420’ released in 1955, ‘Chori Chori’ released in 1956 and ‘Jis Desh Men Ganga Bheti Hai’ released in 1960 are all epitome of the greatness of this man. His most of movies he acted with shades depicting his as some kind of Indian Charlie Chaplin. Though he really admired Charlie Chaplin but he was trying to convey to the audiences that he is one of them, a common Indian man similar to the people who would come to watch his movies. His idea was to always portray a person who has all the burdens of life on his shoulders but then too manages to bring a smile on his faces whatever the circumstances might be. In 1970 he directed and acted the movie ‘Mera Naam Joker’. The film is said to be a loose adaptation of his real life happenings. But the movie went on for ages to get completed, in fact it took six years for Raj Kapoor to finally complete the movie and release it. On release it fared horribly and turned out to be a major fiasco for Raj Kapoor so much so that it put him under major financial stress. But today it is considered as one of him major works in film making and is beyond doubt a classic. He is credited with launching the Bollywood career of many leading ladies on Bollywood cinema. The likes of Zeenat Aman, Padmini Kolhapure & Mandakini have all first appeared in his movie. During the later part of his life he would suffer for asthma problems and this would eventually lead to his death due to severe complications. At the time of his death he was greatly involved in the making of R.K. Films ‘Heena’. After his death his son Randhir Kapoor completed the project and the movie turned out to be a massive hit. Though the greatness of this man cannot be put in words and his contribution to Indian cinema can never be gauged he will forever be the crown jewel in Indian Film history.
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