Greatest Showman

Today, on this weekend blog, I am going to write about the greatest Showman of Indian Silver Screen, and he is known as RAJ KAPOOR.

He was born in Peshawar (now in Pakistan) in 1924, his father was a noted film and drama actor Prithviraj Kapoor. His actual name was Ranbir Raj Kapoor, but in film industry he never used his full name and was known as Raj kapoor only. Later when his son Rishi Kapoor was blessed with a son, Rishi named him as Ranbir Kapoor, stating that Ranbir is such a wonderful name and my father never used that name, so I am giving that name to my son.

During younger days, as his father was involved in staging dramas, so the family moved from place to place and in the end settled in Bombay. He first acted as child artist in few films, but his break as leading man came with Neelkamal (1946-47) where his co star was young Madhubala. In 1948 he produced and directed his first film Aag, co starring Nargis, Kamini Kaushal and Premnath. In the same year he started establishing his studio, named RK Studio located in Chembur ( at that time a distant suburb of Bombay).  He shot his next production Barsaat in RK studio. Whereas Aag was a moderate successful film, but Barsaat was a super hit film. In this film he introduced many new talents, actress Nimmi, Lyricists Shailendra & Hasrat Jaipuri  and Music Composer Duo Shanker & Jaikishan. Raj Kapoor had a tremendous music sense, and music of all the film produced by RK banner was super super hit, his association with team of Shailendra, Hasrat Jaipuri, and Shankar Jaikishan continued for so many years till Jaikishan died in 1972. Listing below are the films produced by RK banner, after Aag & Barsaat.

1. Awara (1951)-Raj Kapoor was director and leading man of this film. Co stars were Nargis, Prithiraj Kapoor and KN Singh.This is considered as all time classic list and still considered as one among the 10 classics of Indian cinema. It was a path breaking film, and had a wonderful music by the team created by Raj Kapoor, ie Shankar jaikishan, Shailendra & Hasrat. His acting in this film rated as one of the “top ten performances of all time” by Time magazine.
2. Aah (1953)- Directed by Raja Nawathe. It was tragic love story, made in era when TB was considered to be a deadly disease. Again wonderful music by his team.
3. Boot Polish(1954)- This was also not directed by Raj Kapoor, it was directed by Prakash Arora. It was supposed to be documentry type film on orphans of city, initially the film was supposed to be songless, but after seeing the initial print, he decided to add the songs. Again his team created wonderful music and songs were picturised and incorporated in the movie with necessary changes.
4.  Jaagte Raho (1956)- Not directed by him, it was directed by Amit Maitra and Sombhu mitra. It was made in Hindi and Bengali. It had a wonderful acting by Raj Kapoor, and for the first time he used Salil Choudhary as a music director, who also gave wonderful music.
5. Ab Dilli Door Nahin (1957)- Not directed by him, directed by Amar Kumar. it has been said that PM Nehru requested him to make children film on certain idea, which his team developed and  made a very good children film. For first here he used Dattaram as music director, who was assisting Shankar Jaikishan.
6. Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai- directed by Radhu Karmakar, till that time he was cinematographer of  RK film. basic story idea was how to reform decoits. It had a wonderful acting by Raj Kapoor and Pran, Padmini was heroine of the film. Again the musical team gave the excellent music, and all the songs were chart busters.
7. Sangam (1964)- Directed by Raj Kapoor. Starring Vyjayantimala, Rajendra Kumar and showman himself. RK’s first film in colour, which also started the trend of shooting in foreign locations. Again wonderful music by his team.
8. Mera Naam Joker (1970)- Directed by Raj Kapoor. This was Raj’s most ambitious and expensive venture. The film was more than 4 hours long with 2 intervals. Starring Manoj Kumar, Simi, Dharmendra, Rajendra Kumar, Padmini, Rishi kapoor , his son played the role of  younger joker, while Raj him self played the role of Joker. Again wonderful music by his team, but one member Shailendra had expired by that time, he was replaced with Poet Neeraj. The film was the biggest flop of that time and Raj suffered heavy loss, and he became almost bankrupt.
9. Kal Aaj Aur Kal (1971). This was directed by his eldest son Randhir Kapoor , who also made his acting debut in this film, The film also starred Raj and his father Prthviraj Kapoor. This was the first time on Indian screen that three generation of the family acted together in movie. This was the last time Shankar Jaikishan gave music for RK  film. The film did average business.
10. Bobby(1973)- Directed by Raj Kapoor. He made this movie to show the world he can still make hit movies, as with the failure of Mera Naam Joker, people started writing him off. This time he introduced his second son Rishi Kapoor as leading man with new leading lady Dimple Kapadia and made a teenage love story. The film was one of the biggest hits of 70s. This was the first time when when Laxmikant Pyarelal score the music for RK film.
11. Dharam Karam (1975)- directed by Randhir Kapoor. it starred Randhir , Rekha, Raj Kapoor and Premnath. It was moderately successful film. For the first time RD Burman scored the music for RK film.
12.  Satyam Shivam Sundram (1978)- directed by Raj Kapoor. Starring Shashi kapoor and Zeenat Aman. Music by Laxmikant Pyarelal.  Film was hit.
13. Biwi O Biwi (1981)- directed by Rahul Rawail. It was a fun film starring Sanjeev Kumar, Randhir Kapoor, Poonam Dhillon and Yogita Bali. It had music by RD Burman. Average film business wise.
14. Prem Rog (1982)- directed by Raj Kapoor. A film on widow remarriage, starring Rishi Kapoor, Padmini Kolhapure, Shammi Kapoor & Nanda. Music by Laxmikant Pyarelal. Film was super hit.
15. Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985)- last film directed by Raj Kapoor. Starring his 3rd son Rajeev Kappor and new girl Mandakini. Film was about social values. Excellent music by Ravindra Jain. Film was block buster.

After this film he was not keeping good health, he conceived the film Henna, but could not start its production. In May 1988 , when he was about to receive Dada Sahib Phalke award from President in New Delhi, he suffered a heavy Ashtama attack in auditorium only, and he was unable to go to dais to receive award, so President came to his seat to present the award, and after that he was shifted to All India Institute, where he was treated for almost  a month, and then he expired on 2nd June 1988.

After his death RK films produced  Henna directed by Randhir Kapoor, Prem Granth directed by Rajeev Kapoor and Aa Ab Laut Chalen by Rishi Kapoor. Now for almost 2 decades there is no film from from RK Banner, and as per latest report family is planning to sell RK Studio, which is spread over 2 acres of land.

Today I have covered one aspect of Raj Kapoor’s life, ie his contribution to Indian cinema as producer & director, In the next weekend blog I will cover other aspect of his career.

I hope you have enjoyed reading this blog, awaiting for your views/feed backs/comments.

Anil Malik

Mumbai, India

7th Sep, 2018.