The Biography of Famous Personalities of India will tell you about the controversies, the dark sides of a person that you may have never heard of.
Death and Legacy of Raj Kapoor
Death and Legacy
In this world there is one thing that is more dangerous and scary than a tiger and that is poverty and hunger.
Raj Kapoor is appreciated both by film critics and ordinary film fans. Film historians and movie buffs speak of him as the “Charlie Chaplin of Indian cinema,” since he often portrayed a tramp-like figure, who, despite adversity, was still cheerful and honest. His fame spread worldwide. He was adored by audiences in large parts of Africa, the Middle East, the former Soviet Union, China, and Southeast Asia; his movies were global commercial successes.
Many of Raj Kapoor’s movies had a patriotic theme. His films Aog, Shree 420 and Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai celebrated the newly independent India, and encouraged film- goers to be patriots. Raj Kapoor commissioned these famous lyrics for “Mera Joota Hai Japani,” a song from the movie Shree 420:
“Mera joota hai Japani, Ye pataloon Inglistani
Sar pe lal topi Roosi, Phir bhi dil hai Hindustani”
The song is still extremely popular and has been featured in a number of movies since Shree 420.
Raj Kapoor had a childlike simplicity which was clearly visible in the film Anadi, in the song :
“Sab Kucch Seekha Hamne Na Seekhi Hoshiari
Sach hai Duniya walon ke Ham Hain Anadi”
Raj Kapoor always wanted people to share the grief of one another to make the world a better place to live. This was clearly displayed in this song of his film Anadi:
“Kisi Ki Muskurahaton pe ho Nisaar
Kisi ka Dard Mil Sake to le Udhaar
Kisi ke waste ho tere Dil main pyar
Jeena isi ka Naam hai ”
At 60, he had lost none of his ability to push the audience’s emotional throttle. On June 3, 1988, Raj Kapoor, who had been suffering from asthma, finally succumbed. The script of Henna was ready but Kapoor was not there to direct it. In keeping with the theme of his life (as articulated emphatically in Mera Naam Joker)—the show must go on—his eldest son Randhir Kapoor directed Henna for the RK Banner.
The film was a spectacular success. The showman could not have asked for a better tribute.
Awards and Achievements
- Nominated for the Grand Prize at the 1953 Cannes Film Festival
- Jagte Raho won the Crystal Globe award at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.
- Raj Kapoor Film Festival was held on his 75th Birth Anniversary at the Cultural Centre of Russia
- “National Award” for cinematography for contribution to Indian cinema.
- Honoured with the Padma Bhushan, in 1971.
- The Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award is named after Raj Kapoor.
- “Best Director of the Millennium” award by Hero Honda- Stardust.
- “Showman of the Millennium” at the Screen Awards.
- Dadasaheb Phalke Award
- A postage stamp, bearing his face by India Post.
- A brass statue of his was unveiled at Walk of the Stars at Bandra Bandstand in Mumbai.
Timeline
- 1924 : Born on December 14, in Peshawar, British India (now in Pakistan).
- 1930-35 : Attended different schools in citis like Dehradun, Calcutta and Mumbai.
- 1935 : At age 11, appeared in a film for the first time (Inquilab).
- 1946 : Married to Krishna Malhotra (Jabalpur).
- 1947 : Eldest son Randhir Kapoor born.
- 1947 : Big break with the lead role in “Neel Kamal” opposite Madhu Bala in her first role as a leading lady.
- 1948 : At age 24, established his own studio, RK Films.
- 1948 : First film “Aag” as producer, director and star with Nargis.
- 1949 : First major success as an actor in Mehboob Khan’s classic blockbuster film “Andaz” with Dilip Kumar.
- 1952 : Second son Rishi Kapoor born.
- 1953 : Nominated for Grand Prize at Cannes Film Festival.
- 1962 : Third son Rajiv Kapoor born.
- 1964 : Produced, directed and starred in “Sangam”, his first colour film.
- 1970 : Moved on to direction and released “Mera Naam Joker”.
- 1971 : Honoured by Padma Bhushan Award.
- 1973 : Launched his son Rishi Kapoor in “Bobby” against newcomer Dimple Kapadia.
- 1982 : Last major film appearance was in “Vakil Babu”.
- 1984 : Last acting role in British made-for-television film titled “Kim”.
- 1987 : Honoured by Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
- 1988 : Passed away on 2nd June at age 63.
- 1991 : Last film directed and produced “Henna” which was later completed by his son Randhir Kapoor.
- 2001 : Honoured with “Best Director of Millennium” award by Stardust Awards.
- 2002 : “Showman of the Millennium” award by Star Screen Awards.