Referred as the Showman of India 'Raj
Kapoor' turns 100 this year. Born on December 14, 1924 in Peshawar, Raj Kapoor
was one of the most iconic figures of the Indan cinema. Being the son of
legendary Film maker and Theatre personality Prithviraj Kapoor, Raj Kapoor was
born with a rich legacy of Films, which he enhanced by blending entertainment
with social commentary portraying poverty, love and resilience of the human
spirit. Today, Raj Kapoor is remembered as an Idol and an inspiration for his
acting, film making and storytelling leaving a profound Impact on not only
filmmakers and actors but also his fans and movie lovers from across the world,
who celebrate his charming larger than life persona!
As a Tribute to India's greatest showman
the Indian Cinema Celebrates Raj Kapoor's Centenary Celebrations from 13-15th
December 2024. A grand film festival is being organised as a retrospective to
his work titled "Raj Kapoor @100 – Celebrating the Centenary of the
Greatest Showman".
To mark Raj Kapoor's contribution to the
Indian Cinema, the film festival is organised by R K Films, the Film Heritage
Foundation, NFDC, NFAI and cinemas,who have come together to mark his
contribution to the Indian cinema. The three-day fest will showcase 10 films of
Raj Kapoor across 40 cities and 135 cinemas from December 13 th to 15th.
Raj Kapoor’s films and screen characters
have drawn admiration from film connoisseurs and theatre lovers, not just in
India but abroad too, particularly from Soviet Union and the Middle East. Some
of his most popular films include Mera Naam Joker, Sangam, Bobby, Anari, Prem
Rog, Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Ram Teri Ganga Maili, Andaaz, Barsaat, Teesri
Kasam, Dastan and Do Ustad to name a few. Many of his films were showcased
recently at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Festival des 3
Continents, and the recently concluded International Film Festival of India
(IFFI) in Goa which paid a tribute to Raj Kapoor with screenings and
discussions.
Raj Kapoor was a huge romantic. Anyone
watching his films would questionably remember his portrayal of women with
distinctive sex appeal, while he pictured them in atleast one song dressed in
while. Infact his white obsession goes back to his days when he first saw his
wife Krishna as a maiden, who wore a white saree with a gajra, which made an
everlasting impression on him. Out of all his movies Awara, Shree 420 and
Barsaat are remembered as groundbreaking films in many aspects while he created
magic with Nargis portraying her beauty in a sensual way. Nargis and Raj Kapoor
are remembered for their brilliant chemistry and romantic songs like 'Hum
Tumse Mohabbat Karke', ' Pyar hua Iqrar Hua', while it was an absolute delight
to watch them romance each other.
Raj Kapoor introduced many actresses
including south super star Padmini and Vyjayanthimala making them the screen
icons. While Padmini became his lifeline when Nargis decided to do Mehboob
Khan's Mother India, who promised to give her the most iconic role of her
career and she agreed to leave the R K Banner. Raj Kapoor was so upset that he
refused to direct films untill he met Padmini at the Moscow Youth Festival,
where she won the best classical dancer Award. Raj Kapoor was charmed by her
grace while they became good friends as Padmini was by his side to cheer him up
during his illness. This overwhelmed the Showman and he casted Padmini in his
next film 'Jis Desh Main Ganga Behti' hai to honour their friendship. He
captured her beauty again by casting her in 'Mera Naam Joker'.