Raj Kapoor, the very famous Indian actor, director, and producer was one of the greatest known entertainers of the Indian Film Industry. The showman had a very versatile personality that helped him set a standard for his own work and upcoming contemporaries. This Kapoor was the second generation of Bollywood's first ever family building upon the legacy of legends. His movies were not only appreciated nationally but even worldwide.
Hence today, on the date of his remembrance (it's his 29th Death Anniversary), we take a short flashback of his life, career, and other happenings because people die, but memories, they linger on forever!
(Image Courtesy: Upperstall)
POPULAR RK MOVIES
By the age of 24, Raj Kapoor had his own production company named R.K. Films, his own studio called R.K. Studio and also a career in direction. Initiating his career, he started with Aag and went on to produce-direct-act in several box office hits. Some of his famous films include Awara, Sangam, Shree 420 and Mera Naam Joker. And there's no wonder why he is famous as the Charlie Chaplin of Indian cinema!
We bring you some of his masterpieces according to the fame and applauds they got.
1. Mera Naam Joker (1970)
This classic film was ahead of its time which majority of the audience couldn’t connect with. It may not have been appreciated in the olden days as it even flopped at the box office, but now it’s a critically praised film. It is considered as a cult film by the new generation directors, producers, actors and the audience.
(Image Courtesy: HD Online Movies)
2. Aawara (1951)
Becoming an overnight sensation in Southern and Eastern Asia, Africa and the Middle East, Awaara a very beautiful and iconic film made a home in millions of hearts. And it still holds the same significance like how it was 66 years back.
(Image Courtesy: KinoFilms)
3. Jis Desh Me Ganga Behti Hai (1960)
This film is typically an R.K. Studio style film which was very much admired by all. It has won several national and international awards and is a all time hit till date.
(Image Courtesy: Shemaroo)
4. Barsaat (1949)
Loaded with excellent soundtracks, this film was one of Raj Kapoor’s major hits. Even the iconic R. K. Studio logo is inspired by an iconic frame of this movie.
(Image Courtesy: Wikipedia)
5. Sangam (1964)
There are limited box office hits of Raj Kapoor and this one surely belongs to the category. The film definitely has some credentials but it was thought to lack that perspective by the critics then. He was a brilliant visionary but not everyone understood his viewpoints at that time.
(Image Courtesy: Shemaroo)
FAMOUS DIALOGUES
1. Mera Naam Joker
“Duniya mein ek cheez sher-e-babbar se bhi zyada khatarnak aur darawani hai ... aur woh hai gareebi aur bhookh”
English Translation: “In this world, there’s one thing that’s even more dangerous & scarier than a lion... and that is poverty & hunger.”
(Image Courtesy: Share Blast)
2. Sangam
“Dukh tumne mujhe nahi diya hai ... maine apne aap ko dukh diya hai”
English Translation: “You haven't given me any sorrows ... I have done this to myself.”
(Image Courtesy: Twitter Sangam)
3. Jis Desh Me Ganga Behti Hai
“Hum uss desh ke waasi hai jis desh mein Ganga behti hai”
English Translation: “I am a citizen of that country where the great river Ganges flows.”
(Image Courtesy: Dances on the Footpath)
4. Kal Aaj Aur Kal
“Dushmani ko khareedne kahi jana nahi padta...aur dosti kisi bhi keemat pe nahi milti”
English Translation: “You don't have to go anywhere to buy enmity neither can't buy friendship for any price.”
(Image Courtesy: YouTube)
5. Gopichand Jasoos
“Roshni chaand se hoti hai sitaron se nahi...dosti ek se hoti hai hazaron se nahi”
English Translation: “Light comes from the moon but not the stars. Similarly, you can be friends with one and not with thousands.”
(Image Courtesy: Pinterest)
6. Awaara
“Bas yahi to hamare naye samaaj ka kamaal hai ... jo chor hain, doosron ke jeb kaat-te hai, public ki aankhon mein dhool daalte hai, mere jaisa patla suit pant pehente hai...unhe hum shareef samajhte hai ... aur jo imandaari se, mehnat mazdoori karke pet paalte hai, phate purane kapde pehente hai...unhe chor daaku awaara samajhkar dhar liya jaata hai”
English Translation: “This is the irony in our society...one who is a thief, who pick-pockets, cheats other people, wears a suit & pant like me...we consider them honest people. Those who work hard with honesty, wear ripped old clothes...we catch hold of them thinking as thieves & dacoits.”
(Image Courtesy: Taste of Cinema)
7. Sangam
"Roye toh yaar ke kandhe par...jaaye toh yaar ke kandhe par"
English Translation: "If you cry, cry on a friend's shoulder...if you die, go on a friend's shoulder."
(Image Courtesy: The Times of India Photogallery)
Raj Kapoor and His Fascination Towards The Leading Women
Many people criticize Raj Kapoor for portraying semi-nude performances by actresses in his films. While a few others also believe that it was just an expression of art and that RK was a generation ahead of his time in the Bollywood. He could have been one of the first persons in India to observe that nudity sells better. Call it as art or a marketing strategy, he was an exceptional creative thinker and was foresighted as well.
(Image Courtesy: GlamSham)
There has been a list of some remarkable women introduced by Raj Kapoor. He had a great taste in choosing the right ones and depicting them in even better ways. And definitely, all of them have given remarkable and memorable performances until today. Hema Malini in Sapno Ka Saudagar (1968), fifteen-year-old Dimple in Bobby (1973), Zeenat Amaan (imagine her in a red sari under the waterfall) in Satyam Shivam Sundaram (1978) and beautiful Mandakini in Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985)were a few amongst his conceptions and launches for the Indian Film Industry. He had an enchantment towards the leading ladies and almost all of them featured in at least one movie wearing saris under waterfalls.
(Image Courtesy: Filmapia)
Many believed that RK was a womanizer but more than that he led the industry to a level like no other. He was a legendary actor, director, producer and of course a game changer!
QUICK FACTS
NAME: Raj Kapoor
OCCUPATION: Indian Film Actor, Director & Producer
BIRTHDATE: 14th December 1924
DEATH DATE: 2nd June 1988
PLACE OF BIRTH: Peshawar, Pakistan
PLACE OF DEATH: New Delhi, India
AKA: Charlie Chaplin of Indian cinema, The Show Man
Award Winning Films: Awaara (1951), Shree 420 (1955), Mera Naam Joker (1970), Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985), Barsaat (1949), Anari (1959), Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai (1960), Sangam (1964), Aag (1948), Chori Chori (1956)
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