Mumbai: A passionate filmmaker who effectively translated the realities of life on screen without compromising on the entertainment quotient of his films is how the current crop of directors in Hindi cinema describe Raj Kapoor, who would have turned 100 on December 14.
Raj Kapoor, son of film and theatre veteran Prithviraj Kapoor, was an actor, an editor, a director and a producer who founded RK Studios in 1948.
In his career spanning four decades, he directed only 10 films, starting with “Aag”, “Barsaat”, “Awara”, “Shree 420”, “Sangam”, “Mera Naam Joker”, “Bobby”, “Satyam Shivam Sundaram”, “Prem Rog”, and “Ram Teri Ganga Maili”.
The screenings will begin a day before Raj Kapoor’s birth anniversary on December 14 and conclude a day later. Shows of his films will take place across 40 cities and 135 cinemas at PVR-Inox and Cinepolis.
The movie tickets will be priced at Rs 100 across all participating cinemas, making the celebration as inclusive and memorable as the stories Raj Kapoor told on screen, the organisers said.
Randhir Kapoor, Raj Kapoor’s eldest child, said they want the audience to experience the magic and legacy of his father on the big screen all over again.
“Raj Kapoor was not just a filmmaker; he was a visionary who shaped the emotional landscape of Indian cinema. His stories are more than just films; they are powerful, emotional journeys that connect generations of viewers. This festival is our humble tribute to the greatness of his vision,” Randhir Kapoor said in a statement.
We take immense pride in being members of the Raj Kapoor family, said Ranbir Kapoor.
“Our generation stands on the shoulders of a giant whose films captured the spirit of their time and gave a voice to the common man over decades. His timeless stories continue to inspire, and this festival is our way of honoring that magic and inviting everyone to experience his legacy on the big screen. See you at the movies!” he added.
Other films that are part of the retrospective are “Barsaat”, “Jagte Raho”, “Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai”, “Mera Naam Joker” and “Ram Teri Ganga Maili”.
Raj Kapoor, an actor, a director and a producer, was the son of film star Prithviraj Kapoor who carved his own identity, beginning as a child actor in “Inquilab” (1935). In 1948, he founded the iconic R.K. Films studio which produced enduring classics like “Awaara”, “Shree 420”, and “Sangam”.
He was also one of the first actor-filmmakers who took Indian cinema across the globe, garnering a massive fan following in Russia, Uzbekistan, and Georgia and countries in the erstwhile Soviet Union.
