By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
On His 100th Birth Anniversary
‘चुरा ले ना तुमको ये मौसम सुहाना
खुली वादियों में अकेली न जाना
लुभाता हैमुझको ये मौसम सुहाना
मैं जाऊँगी तम तुम मेरे पीछे न आना’
Prithvi Raj Kapoor, the noted actor and stage enthusiast, wanted his son Raj Kapoor to fashion his own fate. Though he himself used a car, he made his son travel on foot to be well acquainted with the hardships of life. A strict disciplinarian as he was, Papa Kapoor succeeded into making the lad turn a force to reckon with in the years that followed .
Raj Kapoor learnt the intricacies of film making under the stewardship of Kidar Sharma who ushered his career casting him alongside Begum Para and Madhubala in “Neel Kamal”. Kapoor ventured to set up his own Production company R. K. Films in 948. In between his few films failed to evoke desired public interest, but Mehboob Khan’s “Andaz” helped him find himself in the race “Jhoom Jhoom Ke Nacho Aaj” & “Koi Mere Dil Mein Khush Ban Ke Aaya” were two of the many popular numbers from the film under reference.
His 1949 extravaganza “Barsaat” did wonders and proved a Blockbuster with some of the haunting melodies like – “Hawa Mein Udta jaye Mora lal Dupatta Malmal Ka”, “Jiya Beqarar Hai”, “Mujhe Kisi Se Pyaar Ho Gaya” & “Barsaat Mein Humse Mile Tum” to mention few. Lata Mangeshkar got a new lease of life as a playback singer. The film starred Nimmi, Prem Nath, Cuckoo & Murad in important roles. It was one of the early blockbusters post- independence. Shailendra & Hasrat penned the lyrics under the music score Shankar Jaikishan. Mukesh, Hasrat Jaipuri, Shailendra & Shankar Jaikishan remained integral part of his banner for decades. The soundtrack remained one of the most popular for years.
In his early films ‘Awara’ (1951), ‘Shree 420′ (1955), Raj Kapoor had glimpses of Charlie Chaplin. Both the films enjoy top slots as classics. In “Mera Naam Joker”, too, he played the role of a joker who brings happiness to others’ lives.
Raj Kapoor was too passionate about his heroines.He worked with Nargis in many films including Aag (1948), Andaz (1949), Barsaat (1949), Chori Chori, Jagte Raho, Aah & Shree 420. He worked opposite Madhubala in “Dulha Dulhan” (‘Mujhe Kehte Hain Kallu Kahar’ song fame), though they were also part of “Neel Kamal”. Kapoor enjoyed a wonderful rapport with Padmini. They featured in “Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai” & “Mera Naam Joker”.He worked opposite Mala Sinha in ‘Parvarish’ & Nutan in ‘ Kanhaiya’ ,’ Anari'(1959) and ‘Chhaliya’ (1960), all musical hits. He worked opposite Waheeda Rehman in : “Ek Dil Sau Afsane” (1963) & “Teesri Kasam” (1966). In “Sharada” (1957) & “Char Dil Char Rahen” he worked with Meena Kumari.
After the ‘Joker debacle’ Raj Kapoor who was under financial duress, again rose like the proverbial ‘phoenix from the ashes’ to produce another musical blockbuster “Bobby” introducing a raw, nubile beauty Dimple Kapadia opposite his son Rishi Kapoor. The romantic drama caught the fancy of the younger set with some hit numbers to boast. The film turned out to be a blockbuster thereby opening floodgates of opportunities for all & sundry including Prem Chopra whose dialogue ‘Prem Naam Hai Mera” catapulted him to dizzy heights.
Raj Kapoor surprised many when he cast Mandakini in “Ram Teri Ganga Maili” (1985) to further the career of his younger son Rajiv Kapoor. The film showed the nubile actress in a flimsy see-through saree frolicking around in water in a song sequence. The other scene was where she breastfeeds her child. The film became another box office bonanza with ‘Sun Sahiba Sun’ pick of the lot. The success of the film can be gauged by the fact that it received 10 Filmfare nominations winning 5 including Best Film ( Randhir Kapoor as Producer), Best Director (Raj Kapoor) & Best Music Director Award (Ravindra Jain).
In ‘Aag’, ‘Barsaat’, ‘Awaara’, ‘Shree 420’, ‘Sangam’ , ‘Joker’ & ‘Bobby’, Raj Kapoor enacted Triple Role as Producer-director -actor. Breathed his last on 2 June 1988. Won 3 National and 11 Filmfare Awards for his contribution to Hindi cinema during his chequered career, besides the Padma Bhushan and the Dada Saheb Phalke Award in 1987. His brothers Shammi & Shashi Kapoor were also known actors of their time & so were his children & now grandchildren. Actor Trilok Kapoor was his uncle.
