Raj Kapoor Birth Anniversary: The Kapoor family is gearing up to celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of the legendary Raj Kapoor in a grand manner. As part of the preparations, they traveled to Delhi to personally invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the milestone event.
Videos shared online show the Kapoor family members dressed in elegant ethnic outfits at the airport as they headed for their flight to the national capital.
Among those spotted were Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, arriving together, along with other well-known family members like Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Neetu Kapoor, and Karisma Kapoor.
Raj Kapoor Birth Anniversary
On December 14, we commemorate Raj Kapoor birth anniversary, a legendary actor. His life mirrors a captivating film narrative filled with remarkable moments. Throughout his illustrious film career, Raj Sahab crafted numerous cinematic masterpieces.
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Raj Kapoor Film Festival
To celebrate the centenary of the legendary Raj Kapoor, RK Films, in partnership with the Film Heritage Foundation and NFDC-National Film Archive of India, is hosting a special film festival. The event, titled Raj Kapoor 100 – Celebrating the Centenary of the Greatest Showman, will showcase his iconic films across 135 venues in 40 cities, including PVR-Inox and Cinepolis theaters. The festival will run from December 13 to December 15, 2024.
At the 55th International Film Festival of India in Goa, Ranbir Kapoor shared his thoughts on his grandfather’s lasting impact. He revealed the family’s plans to honor Raj through this festival, stating, “We’re organizing the Raj Kapoor Film Festival from December 13 to December 15 all over India. I hope you all join us. I remember the first time I met Alia, she asked, ‘Who’s Kishore Kumar?’ It’s a reminder that people sometimes get forgotten, and it’s vital to remember our roots.”
Raj Kapoor Death Date
Raj faced Asthma during his later years, and sadly, in 1988, at the age of 63, he passed away due to the condition. The unfortunate incident occurred at an event in New Delhi, where he was supposed to receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
He was rushed to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi for treatment and remained hospitalized for about a month.
The memorial for Raj and his parents is situated at ‘Rajbaugh,’ which translates to the garden of kings. This memorial is located within the MIT Art Design & Technology University, specifically on the banks of the Mula-Mutha River in the Loni Kalbhor village, 30 km east of Pune in Maharashtra. The memorial was inaugurated in 2014 in the presence of Lata Mangeshkar and the Kapoor family.
Raj Kapoor Movies
This weekend, iconic actor-director Raj Kapoor’s timeless films return to Indian screens as part of the Raj Kapoor Film Festival. In honor of his 100th birth anniversary, RK Films, in collaboration with the Film Heritage Foundation, is re-releasing his classic movies. Spanning 101 cinemas across 34 cities from December 13 to 15, the festival will be one of the largest retrospectives dedicated to his cinema.
Here are 7 must-watch Raj films you can enjoy on the big screen this weekend:
Aag (1948)
Raj Kapoor’s directorial debut, Aag, introduced him as a filmmaker and launched his iconic collaboration with Nargis. Despite not being a box office hit, the film became a milestone in Hindi cinema, featuring Raj’s younger brother, Shashi Kapoor, in a supporting role.
Barsaat (1949)
Raj Kapoor’s first major success as a director, Barsaat, became the biggest hit in Hindi cinema at the time. The film’s success also helped Raj acquire the legendary RK Studios in Mumbai.
Awaara (1951)
Awaara became a massive hit, especially in the Soviet Union, thanks to its socialist themes. Featuring Raj Kapoor and Nargis, the film was recognized as one of Time magazine’s All-Time 100 Greatest Hits in 2012.
Jagte Raho (1956)
Jagte Raho, a film about a villager’s struggles in the city, won a Certificate of Merit at the National Awards. It was also a huge success in the Soviet Union and is a critical part of Raj’s legacy.
Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai (1960)
Produced by Raj Kapoor, this film marked the directorial debut of Radhu Karmakar and featured a captivating performance from Raj alongside Padmini. It won the National Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi.
Sangam (1964)
Sangam was Raj Kapoor’s return to direction and featured a romantic love triangle with Rajendra Kumar and Vyjayanthimala. It was the first Indian film shot extensively overseas and became the second-highest grossing film of the decade.
Bobby (1975)
After the setback of Mera Naam Joker, Raj returned to the director’s chair with Bobby, launching his son Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia in the lead roles. The film became a major commercial success and became a cultural phenomenon.
Raj Kapoor Awards
Raj Kapoor, a celebrated figure in the film industry, earned numerous accolades during his illustrious career. He clinched 3 National Film Awards and an impressive tally of 11 Filmfare Awards, along with 21 nominations. Notably, his films Awaara and Boot Polish received nominations for the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
Time magazine recognized Kapoor’s outstanding performance in Awaara, ranking it among the “Top-Ten Performances of All Time in World Cinema.” Additionally, his film Jagte Raho secured the Crystal Globe award at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.
In recognition of his cinematic excellence, the Government of India bestowed upon him the Padma Bhushan in 1971 and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1987—the highest honors in Indian cinema.
Kapoor’s directorial prowess was acknowledged when he received the title of “Best Director of the Millennium” at the 2001 Stardust Awards. A year later, the Star Screen Awards honored him with the prestigious title of “Showman of the Millennium” in 2002.
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Raj Kapoor Birth Anniversary FAQs
Q.1. What is being planned for Raj Kapoor’s 100th birth anniversary?
Ans. A grand Raj Film Festival showcasing his iconic films from December 13 to 15, 2024.
Q.2. What are some must-watch films at the Raj Kapoor Film Festival?
Ans. Aag (1948), Barsaat (1949), Awaara (1951), Sangam (1964), and more.
Q.3. When and where did Raj Kapoor pass away?
Ans. Raj passed away in 1988 in New Delhi due to asthma complications.
Q.4. What awards did Raj Kapoor receive?
Ans. Raj Kapoor won 3 National Film Awards, 11 Filmfare Awards, and the Padma Bhushan.
Q.5. Where is Raj Kapoor’s memorial located?
Ans. His memorial, ‘Rajbaugh,’ is located at MIT University near Pune, Maharashtra.
