Home » Photos » From being a clapper boy to making a breakthrough in Neel Kamal: Check out these lesser-known facts about late legendary actor Raj Kapoor
From being a clapper boy to making a breakthrough in Neel Kamal: Check out these lesser-known facts about late legendary actor Raj Kapoor
Raj Kapoor has left an indelible legacy behind in Bollywood with his films such as Shree 420, Bobby and Awaara.
Lesser-known facts about the legendary actor Raj Kapoor
The Hindi film industry's "Greatest Showman," Raj Kapoor was an incredibly gifted artist who excelled in all facets of filmmaking. He provided viewers in India and around the world with many cinematic sparks of brilliance over his successful career, including Awara, Barsaat, Andaz, Shree 420, and many others. He is sometimes referred to as the "Charlie Chaplin of Hindi cinema" since he frequently made movies about the struggles and everyday lives of the common man while always portraying the protagonist as happy and upbeat. Here are some intriguing details about him that you probably didn't know.
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Raj Kapoor's early life
Raj’s given name was Ranbir. He was born on 14 December 1924 in Peshawar into a Punjabi Khatru family. Raj was used as a middle name by him and his brother Shammi and Shashi. He was the oldest of Prithviraj and Ramsarni Kapoor's six children, two of whom passed away in infancy.
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Raj Kapoor's entry into the industry
When Raj was only 10 years old, he made his debut on the big screen in the 1945 movie Inquilab. He began his career working as a clapper boy on the Kidar Sharma-directed film Vishkanya. Even as a clapper boy, Raj Kapoor made an effort to seem well-groomed and frequently posed for photographs.
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Raj Kapoor's big breakthrough
Raj made his acting debut with Inquilab in 1935 but got his major breakthrough with Neel Kamal in 1947 alongside Madhubala in lead roles. It features the story of two royal sisters played by Madhubala and Begum Para and their shared adoration for the conceited artist that ultimately causes the younger sister to commit suicide.
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Raj Kapoor as a director
At age 24, Raj Kapoor broke the record for being the youngest director and founded his own studio, R. K. Films, in 1948. Before that, he aspired to be a music director. Aag served as his directing debut, and Andaz served as his first significant acting accomplishment (1949). Barsaat, which he produced, directed, and starred in, was his first successful project that year.
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Raj Kapoor's last project Henna
Henna, Raj Kapoor's final picture, was left unfinished when he passed away (1988), but Randhir Kapoor finished it and it was a big commercial success.
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Raj Kapoor's ambitious project- Mera Naam Joker
Mera Naam Joker, his most ambitious picture, failed to find commercial success, leaving him devastated and unstable financially. But the movie was dubbed a misunderstood classic many years afterwards. The movie lasted for five hours, including two breaks. He spent six years making Mera Naam Joker, which he also produced and acted in.