Legendary actor-filmmaker Raj Kapoor was not only popular in Russia, but also had his share of fans in China, according to Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni.

Speaking at the Traveller Diamond and Platinum Awards function, Soni said she was surprised that Indian films were watched in China, which she recently visited for a cultural event.

“A senior citizen asked me if any Indian film stars or songs would be seen in the festival. When I said no, he said he had grown up listening to the songs of Raj Kapoor’s movie Awara,” Soni recounted.

The fifties saw him establish himself as a producer director of great caliber as well as a top actor along with his fellow contemporaries Dilip Kumar and Dev Anand. For more than fifteen years, he remained an evergreen hero of Hindi films. It was Mehboob’s Andaaz (1949) that initiated his rise as a top star, then his own films stabilized the process. Aawara was followed by Shri 420 (1955) about an innocent villager who gets corrupted when he comes to the city to make a living, Anadi (1959), a story on similar lines of a naïve simple hero used by a cruel and corrupt society, Jis Des Mein Ganga Bahti Hai (1960) and Sargam (1964). Chori Chori and Jagte Raho (1956) were his last two film with Nargis as his lead pair. It is widely believed that this lead pair was involved romantically off screen as well.

Raj Kapoor family In 1970, he released one of his most ambitious project ‘Mera Naam Joker’ about the life of a joker in a circus who cried within while making people laugh, outside. He took 6 years to complete the film and although it was brilliant in parts, the film was a failure at the box office. Kapoor was dejected but was back on his tracks with Bobby (1973) a teenage love story introducing Dimple Kapadia and his second son Rishi Kapoor which was a phenomenal success. With Bobby, he began to portray his heroines more sensually in his films. He continued with the trend in films like Satyam Sivam Sundaram (1978) starring Zeenat Aman and Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985) introducing Mandakini. In between he made Prem Rog (1982) taking up a widow’s cause and encouraging remarriage among them. His last film was Henna, an Indo- Pak love story, during the making of which he succumbed to his illness. He had been suffering from Asthma. The film was later completed by his elder son Randhir Kapoor.

“When my father got summons from the Principal of Don Bosco where I was enrolled to come and see the school authorities and take note of the errant ways of his ward, who bunked classes to go to cinema theatres, he (Prithviraj Kapoor) asked Rajsaab to go and inquire,” Shammi Kapoor, who was in pune to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the ongoing Pune International Film Festival (PIFF), recalled.

“My brother Raj Kapoor came to my school and heard the complaints against me from the principal. After listening to the teachers he simply called me and asked me collect my books and come home with him.”

Going down the memory lane, Shammi Kapoor said, “as I got into the car and came home, Raj told our father what transpired at the school”. So what were the corrective measures for Shammi mooted by Rajsaab?

Nothing. He simply declared that since his love for theatres was not approved by Don Bosco, he should go to a new school.

Throughout the fifties and sixties Nutan Sumarth was one of Bollywood’s great screen goddesses, and also one of the industry’s most accomplished actresses. Her strong presence was marked by a naturalistic style, dignified restraint and a hint of churning passion.

Movie Name : Dil Hi To Hai (1963)

Directed : C.L. Rawal and P.L. Santoshi

Writing credits : G.L. Rawal

Casting : Raj Kapoor, Nutan Behl, Nasir Hussain, Leela Chitnis, Babloo Padmini Priyadarshini, Sabita Chatterjee, Shivraj, norama, Mumtaz Begum, Hari Shivdasani, Pran

Watch video song “Tum Agar Mujhko Na Chaho”

Awara (1952): A story much deeper than it appears to be. When judge Prithviraj Kapoor pronounces dacoit Jaggu (K. N. Singh) guilty merely on the grounds that “his father was a thief, so he too automatically must be a thief”, the dacoit swears revenge. Jaggu kidnaps the judge’s son (Raj Kapoor) and trains him to be a criminal. Raj, the awara (loafer) grows up and falls in love with lawyer Nargis. A crime he commits, lands him in the court where his father is the judge. Which will prove stronger – nature or nurture? Sway to Ghar aya mera pardesi and Awaara hoon.

Shri 420 (l954): Tramp Raju whistles through his travails, with his theme song Mera Jotha hai Japani (which became a giant hit in India and Russia – and remains till date, Raj’s signature tune). He falls in love with a simple schoolteacher (Nargis). But, he meets Maya (Nadira) who entices him with the bright lights of the city. Which side will win – high morals or his baser desires? With Ramiyah vastavaya , Pyar hua ikrar hua and Mud mud ke na dekh.

Anari (1959): Simpleton Raj shares a mother-son relationship with his landlady, Mrs. D’Sa (Lalita Pawar). He falls in love with Nutan, who hides from him the fact that she is the daughter of his boss. Her father’s factory is manufacturing spurious medicines. When one of the bogus drugs claims Mrs. D’Sa’s life, Raj sets out to expose his boss – but the cunning boss frames Raj instead!

Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behta Hain (1961): Simpleton Raju stumbles on the hideout of a gang of dacoits and tries to reform then by love and reason. He made this movie after his split with Nargis and it became vital to show the world (and her) that he could still make great movies without her! One of his finest stories with some of his best songs – Mera naam Raju, O basanti, Aa ab laut chal, Hum bhi hai, tum bhi hai and others.

Sangam (1964): The eternal love triangle – but with the RK treatment. Two intervals, scrumptious songs and four hours of movie that fly by – leaving viewers begging for more! (Bol Radha Bol, Dost dost na raha, Yeh mera prem patra and other hit songs)

Mera Naam Joker (1970): This one broke the showman’s heart – this autobiographical musical melodrama (again with two intervals and four hours of running time) that did not click with the public. Though the songs (Ay bhai jara dekh ke chalo and Jeena yahan marna yahan) have become immortal favourites.

Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1986): His last great movie with his most powerful plot entwined with a fascinating, symbolic journey. The travails of a young girl which follows the descent of the River Ganges — from the Himalayas to the city of Kolkata, before it enters the sea. A Technicolor, kaleidoscopic pilgrimage through the heartland of India and straight to the heart!

Anil Kapoor himself as an actor cum producer has been greatly influenced by the great Raj Kapoor’s works. Hence he and his team are currently researching material on the life and works of RK. Anil wants to make a biopic on Raj Kapoor who has made an indelible mark in Indian cinema. After his first serious film on Gandhi, this too will perhaps incorporate a serious nature. However Anil wants to produce both serious as well as commercial films. With a bit of reluctance Anil Kapoor admitted “Yes, I have had casual discussions about a biopic on Raj Kapoor’s life with directors.”

Alongside researching matter on Raj Kapoor’s works and life, Anil is also busy with the post production of his commercial film Shortcut which stars Akshaye Khanna and Amrita Rao. Akshaye was also seen in Gandhi my Father; however it is being said that for the biopic on Raj Kapoor’s life, Anil himself is keen to play the legendary Raj Kapoor. Meanwhile there is a buzz that RK banner which includes Randhir, Rishi and Rajiv Kapoor are also keen to make a biopic on the life of their late father Raj Kapoor. However actor Rishi Kapoor refused to confirm or deny the buzz, he however did wish colleague Anil “all the best” for his film. So will there be two films on the great Raj Kapoor and will there be a clash of interests? Raj Kapoor led an extremely colourful and flamboyant lifestyle for his time.

Legendary Bollywood showman Raj Kapoor’s grandson Ranbir launched the Hindi version of ‘Raj Kapoor’, a compilation of memoirs on the icon’s personal and professional life, authored by his aunt Ritu Nanda at a function Tuesday in the capital.

The book in Hindi has been penned by the gifted filmmaker’s daughter Ritu Nanda.

Ranbir said the Kapoor “khandaan” was the only family in the world of cinema where four successive generations have been associated with the film industry and who have dedicated their lives successfully to entertaining people.

The English version of the book was launched in 2002 by Penguin, but Ritu said it didn’t serve the purpose, hence the Hindi version. The cost of the book has also been reduced to make it affordable for the common man.

‘Being a daughter I feel I am fortunate that I’m paying this tribute to my father. It’s a very emotional moment for my family. The book is for those common men who used to see my father’s films and wanted to know about him. It will be sent to 428 railway stations all over India,’ said Ritu, who researched for more than a decade before writing the book.

Rishi accompanied by his son Ranbir and sister Ritu went to Rashtrapati Bhavan to present a commemorative copy of the book to President Pratibha Patil.

The book gives a comprehensive account of Raj Kapoor’s life as a person and as a filmmaker, his relationship with his children, his passion for movie-making and his much talked about films.