By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
घटा भी कभी चूम लेती है चेहरा
समझ सोच कर रुख़ से ज़ुल्फ़ें हटाना
घटा मेरे नज़दीक आकर तो देखे
इन आँखों ने सीखा है बिजली गिराना
मैं जाऊँगी तुम मेरे पीछे न आना
Raj Kapoor, scion of Kapoor family, worked at a small salary of rupee 50 in his early days. Though Prithviraj Kapoor owned a motor car, he never allowed him to use the car. Raj Kapoor travelled by foot. The reason behind this discipline was to inculcate a sense of responsibility in the young man and to do hard work & struggle to reach his goal as a self reliant individual. Thus Senior Kapoor carved a ‘Showman’ out of his eldest son in the years that followed. Rest is history.
Kapoor ventured to direct his maiden film “Barsaat’ (1949) starring Nagis,Nimmi & Prem Nath, a musical extravaganza & the Highest Grossing film of the year with many hit numbers like- “Bichhde Hue Pardesi”, “Jiya Beqarar Hai”, “Mujhe Kisi Se Pyaar Ho Gayaa” and “Chhod Gaye Balam”. The film introduced many new talents like Shankar Jaikishan, Mukesh & Nimmi.His “Awaara” (1951) also starring Nargis, under the music score SJK ,was another hit with some of the popular numbers like- “Ghar Aaya Mera Pardesi”,”Dam Bhar Jo Udhar Munh Phere”, “Hum Tujhse Mohabbat Kar Ke” to mention few. “Shree 420″(1955) was a blockbuster starring Raj Kapoor,Nargis & Nadira with its song becoming popular worldwide,specially in Russia -like “Mera Juta hai Japani”. “Pyar Hua Iqrar Hua” & “Ramaiya Vastavaiya” were other hits.Its Box Office collection was surpassed by Mehboob Khan’s “Mother India”(1957).
“Aag”, (1948),”Andaz” (1949) ,”Chori Chori” & “Jagte raho”(1956) were his oher prominent films with Nargis.The duo worked in 16 films before they parted ways.In 1958 Nargis married Sunil Dutt.
Raj Kapoor did 18 films with SJK including- Barsaat (1949),Aah (1953),Awaara (1951),Shree 420 (1955), Chori Chori (1956), Kanhaiya (1959), Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai (1960), Sangam & Mera Naam Joker to mention some. Though his prestigious film “Mera Naam Joker” failed to live up to the expectations, “Bobby” (1973) recovered the loss incurred by him. The film introduced nubile, teenager Dimple Kapadia. The film’s rage & craze made viewers come to New Delhi from many neighbouring cities like Faridabad, Tundla & Meerut. The music of the film also added to the success of this romantic film with songs like “Beshak Mandir Masjid Todo, bullesha ye kahta par pyar bhara dil kabhi na todo, is dil me dilbar rahta by Narendra Chanchal with lyrics written by Rajkavi Inderjeet Singh Tulsi & “Hum Tum Ek Kamre Mein Band Ho” to mention two. “Ram Teri Gagnga Maili” was his last super-hit films starring Mandakini and Rajiv Kapoor. The film showed virgin actress Mandakini in a ‘see through’ saree to the delight of Indian audience.
Khawaja Ahmed Abbas wrote screenplay of his many hit films like- Awaara (1951), Shree 420 (1955), Jagte Raho (1956), Mera Naam Joker (1970), Bobby(1973).
I watched most of his musical hits & met the actor years before his death. He had earlier sent me an ‘Appreciation Letter’ towards my article published after the release of “Ram Teri Ganga Maili”.
Although Mukesh was a permanent singer of his Camp, Manna Dey also rendered some of the Best & my favourite songs like- “Laga Chunri Mein Daag” (Dil Hi To Hai), “Yeh Raat Bhigi Bhigi, Yeh Mast Fizayen” (Chori Chori) & “Masti Bhara Hai Samaan” (Parvarish).
His grandchildren have been in the business for decades. These include- Karishma, Kareena & Ranbir Kapoor. His younger brothers Shammi & Shashi were successful actors. His sons Randhir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, and Rajiv Kapoor were also known film actors. His father Prithviraj Kapoor was part of films like “Sikandar” & “Mughal-e-Azam”. Raj Kapoor was of romantic nature & was in love with many of his leading ladies, yet he never divorced his wife. She also proved that she was a traditional Indian wife & looked after the entire family until his & her own death.
Hrishikesh Mukherjee,s maiden directorial venture “Anari” & Manmohan Desai’s “Chhalia” ( 1961 ) were his other musical hits starring Nutan with hit numbers like- “Woh Chand Khila Woh Tare”, “Sab Kuchh Seekha Ham Ne”, “Ban Ke Panchhi Gaaye Pyar Ka Tarana & “Dum Dum Diga Diga”, “Teri Rahon Mein Khade Hai”, “Meri Jaan Kuchh Bhi Kijiye” from latter film.
Kapoor won three National Film Awards and 11 Filmfare Awards besides Padma Bhushan in 1971 & Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1987). He was also a two-time nominee for the Palme d’Or grand prize at the Cannes Film Festival for his films Awaara (1951) and Boot Polish (1954).
The ‘Charlie Chaplin’ & ‘Greatest Showman’ of Indian Cinema Died this Day in 1988.
