The young artistes of Jaipur fondly remembered the “Shahenshah” of cinema Raj Kapoor at his 19th death anniversary on June 2, by rendering evergreen songs from different films in their voice. The cultural evening, organized in the auditorium of the Pink City Press Club (PCPC), began with Prakash Panwar singing ‘Diwana leke aaya hai…’. Photo journalist Surendra Paras sang ‘Mere man ki Ganga…’; Manoj Manmani lent his voice for ‘Kabhi khud pe kabhi halaat pe…’; Md. Shahid sang ‘Pyar diwana hota hai …’, Madhu Bhat crooned ‘Zindagi pyar ka geet hai …’, Divya Khoobchandani lent her voice for ‘Ajeeb dastaan hai …’; and Vandana and Prakash Panwar paid musical tribute to the late Raj Kapoor through a duet ‘Jo vaada kiya …’ under the musical direction of S Babloo. Rajaram Meel, president, Rajasthan Jaat Mahasabha, was the chief guest at the cultural evening compered by Vikram Garhwali and Madhu Bhat.

It may be added that according to an assessment by the Appreciation Department of an American University, during the last 56 years, RK Film’s Awara was seen by the largest number of viewers on video and satellite TV. On its first showing, the film earned immense popularity only in Soviet Russia, China and the Gulf countries, but the Western countries have appreciated the film only now. The film has been quite popular with all classes of people all over the world.

Awara, produced in 1951, embalmed the wounded souls of the Soviet people, who had heavily suffered during World War II. They liked the film’s hero who sings ‘Zakhmon se bhara seena hai mera, hansti hai magar ye mast nazar …’and ‘Duniya mein tere teer ka ya taqdeer ka maara hoon, aawa ra hoon.’ The film’s music fuses the sweetness of the East with the symphony of the West.

The film, in a court scene, portrayed three generations: Basesharnath (Prithviraj’s father) in role of judge along with Prithviraj and Raj Kapoor. Likewise, the later Kal, Aaj Aur Kal too portrayed three generations: Prithviraj, Raj Kapoor and Randhir Kapoor . Interestingly, the RK Films, during the last 19 years, through their video and satellite rights sold at a larger amount every five years, have earned more than all the films produced during the entire lifetime of Raj Kapoor. The old films are a gold-mine for the descendants. R.K. Studio in Mumbai, which bears a deserted look now, needs to be revived as a hub of producing socially-relevant films as ever in the past: a genuine tribute to the memory of the late Raj Kapoor.

Raj Kapoor one of India’s greatest showman in the silver screen is remembered once again on 2nd June on his 18th death Anniversary.

Kapoor entered the film industry as a clapper boy and went on to become one of the shining icons of the Indian silver screen.

Here’s a look at the journey of one of the greatest showman of Indian Cinema.

Known as Showman of Hindi Cinema, Raj Kapoor was born on 14 December 1924, in Peshawar, now in Pakistan.

He started his acting career at the age of 11 with the film Inquilab.

He made it to the big league with his lead role in Neel Kamal in 1947.

At the age of 24 in 1948, Raj Kapoor established his own studio, RK Films, with his first directorial venture, “Aag”.

Raj Kapoor directed several films and acted in most of them.

He became immensely popular in Russia after “Awaara” and “Shri 420″ as the movies achieved unprecedented success in that country.

With “Awaara”, Raj Kapoor created for himself the image of a Chaplinisque tramp, an allegory for the innocent post Independent Indian.

This caricature was used once again in “Shri 420″.

The Chaplinisque image was used again in his magnum opus “Mera Naam Joker” in 1970, which was about a clown, who laughs at the outside world and cries within.

This most ambitious project of his flopped at the box office.

After “Mera Naam Joker”, Raj Kapoor’s films took a turn toward sensuality, and he bounced back with “Bobby” in 1973.

Raj Kapoor depicted the story of common man in his films and they appealed to every section of the society.

While his “Satyam Shivam Sundaram” examined physical beauty versus Inner Beauty, “Prem Rog” was based on widow re-marriage.

Music was the soul of Raj Kapoor’s films, and they became popular not only in India, but abroad too.

He won many awards during his career in Hindi movies.

In 1985, his “Ram Teri Ganga Maili” won him the best movie and best director awards.

He was nominated for the 1953 Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival for “Awaara”.

In 1971, he got the Padma Bhushan, and in 1987, he won the coveted Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his invaluable lifetime contribution to Indian cinema.

Raj Kapoor died on 2nd June, 1988 due to Kidney failure.

At the time of his death, Kapoor was making “Heena”.

The script was ready but he was not there to direct it.

His son Randhir Kapoor took over the task, and the film, was a major commercial success.