Raj Kapoor 96th Birth Anniversary Today
Bollywood is celebrating 96th birth anniversary of the legendary and the multi-talented actor Raj Kapoor today.
Raj was born on December 14, 1924 in Peshawar in a Pathan-Hindu family to Prithviraj Kapoor and Ramsarni Devi Kapoor. His real name was Ranbir Raj, which is now adorned by his grandson and popular actor Ranbir Kapoor. Raj was the middle name of the Kapoor brothers however, when he stepped in the industry he was popularly known as Raj only.
Raj made his acting debut at the age of 10 in 1935’s ‘Inquilab’ and then after 12 years, he bagged a big break as a lead in 1947’s Neel Kamal opposite Madhubala. In 1948 Raj Kapoor wrote history by becoming the youngest film director at the age of 24. He established his studio RK films and debut as director with the film ‘Aag’ starring Nargis Dutt, Premnath, and Kamini Kaushal and since then he never looked back an went to give many amazing films such as Awaara, Shree 420, Teesri Kasam; characters such as Joker (Mera Naam Joker) among others to Bollywood.
Raj Kapoor was on the verge of getting bankrupt when he released the cult-classic film Mera Naam Joker where he was a director, producer and an actor. At the film took almost 6 years to complete and when it was released it failed miserably on the box-office. However, they didn’t leave the hope and for the second time they released the film and this time it was a super-duper hit film. This film also marked the debut of his son Rishi Kapoor as his young version.
Raj has also received many awards including National Award and the prestigious award Dadasaheb Phalke Award, however, there is a sad story behind the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. On the day when he was to receive the award, he collapsed at the event due to asthma and was immediately taken to AIIM for treatment.
Also, he was set to direct the film Henna however his sudden death on 2nd June 1988 took away the most versatile person from industry leaving Randhir as the only option to direct the film.
Well, he was not just popular in India rather throughout the world like Africa, the Middle East, the former Soviet Union, China, Turkey and Southeast Asia where his songs are remembered till date.
