Raj Kapoor (14 December 1924 – 2 June 1988) was an Indian actor, director and producer, remembered as “the greatest showman” of Hindi cinema. His films Awaara and Shree 420, in which he played a Chaplin-like tramp, were hits not only in India but also in the Soviet Union, China and the Middle East. He founded R. K. Films and received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
Quick Facts
| Birth name | Shrishti Nath Kapoor |
| Born | 14 December 1924, Peshawar (now in Pakistan) |
| Died | 2 June 1988, New Delhi (aged 63) |
| Known as | The Showman |
| Founded | R. K. Films (1948) |
| Father | Prithviraj Kapoor |
| Spouse | Krishna Malhotra (m. 1946) |
| Children | Randhir, Rishi, Rajiv, Ritu, Rima |
| Honours | Padma Bhushan (1971), Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1987) |
Early Life
Raj Kapoor was born in Peshawar, the eldest son of the actor Prithviraj Kapoor. He grew up around his father’s theatre company and film studios, working as a clapper boy and appearing as a child actor before playing his first lead role in Neel Kamal (1947) opposite Madhubala.
Career
In 1948, aged just 24, Kapoor founded R. K. Films and directed Aag. The romantic hit Barsaat (1949) followed. An image from it, showing him holding Nargis, became the studio’s famous logo. He also starred with Dilip Kumar in Andaz (1949).
In Awaara (1951) and Shree 420 (1955), Kapoor created a lovable tramp figure inspired by Charlie Chaplin. Songs such as “Awaara Hoon” and “Mera Joota Hai Japani” became hits across the world, especially in the Soviet Union. Jagte Raho (1956) won the top prize at the Karlovy Vary film festival.
Kapoor went on to make Sangam (1964), the ambitious Mera Naam Joker (1970), the teen romance Bobby (1973), which launched his son Rishi and Dimple Kapadia, and Prem Rog (1982) and Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985).
Personal Life and Death
Raj Kapoor married Krishna Malhotra in 1946. Their sons Randhir, Rishi and Rajiv all became actors, and his grandchildren include Ranbir Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Karisma Kapoor. In 1988 he collapsed from an asthma attack while receiving the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in Delhi and died a month later. His birth centenary was celebrated in 2024.
Selected Filmography
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Raj Kapoor born?
Raj Kapoor was born on 14 December 1924 in Peshawar (now in Pakistan).
When did Raj Kapoor die?
Died: 2 June 1988, New Delhi (aged 63).
What honours has Raj Kapoor received?
Padma Bhushan (1971), Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1987).
