Contents
Raj Kapoor
Creating Hindi cinema classics including Awara and Shree 420.
Awara · Shree 420
- Born
- 14 December 1924
- Birthplace
- Peshawar, present-day Pakistan
- Died
- 2 June 1988
More people
Raj Kapoor
Indian actor, director and producer whose sympathetic outsiders and musical films reached audiences far beyond India.
Early life
Theatre family
Grew up as the son of actor Prithviraj Kapoor and moved between cities with the family.
Early film work
Appeared on screen as a child and later worked his way through studio jobs.
Career
- 1940s
Actor to filmmaker
Began taking leading roles and established R. K. Films in 1948.
- 1950s–1960s
International audience
Became a major star and filmmaker with films popular across Asia and the Soviet Union.
- 1970s–1980s
Later directing
Concentrated increasingly on directing and launching younger performers.
Selected work
Awara
An exploration of poverty and social judgment built around a charismatic outsider.
Shree 420
A musical drama about a newcomer confronting corruption in Bombay.
Bobby
A youthful romance that launched a new generation of screen stars.
Beyond work
Family
Married Krishna Kapoor; several of their children pursued film careers.
Musical collaboration
Worked closely with composers, lyricists and playback singers to make songs central to his storytelling.
Sources & photo credit
Biography and references ↗Biography and contributions ↗Photo: India Post, Government of India. GODL-India · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
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