Raj Kapoor @ 100: They Don't Make Auteurs Like Him Anymore

At an actors바카라� roundtable, Ranbir Kapoor recounted an anecdote about grandfather Raj Kapoor바카라�s fame in Russia 바카라� something he suggested that contemporary celebrities couldn바카라�t dream about. 바카라�He walked out of a premiere and sat in his car, and the people carried his car from the theatre to his hotel,바카라� the Kapoor scion remembered, his voice reflecting his awe and reverence. It바카라�s an anecdote so typically yesteryear that it바카라�s almost impossible to not feel nostalgic about 바카라� given that it바카라�s close to impossible in today바카라�s times for many reasons. Kapoor바카라�s career is old-school in that way, where he saw the highest of highs and came close to bankruptcy more than once.  

Having his break-out moment in Mehboob Khan바카라�s Andaz (1949), where he co-starred with Nargis and Dilip Kumar, Kapoor found acclaim and widespread acceptance with 1951바카라�s Awara. Coming from a family of actors, producers, directors 바카라� Raj Kapoor made an effort to work on his own peculiar style, mannerism 바카라� by adapting Charlie Chaplin바카라�s tramp character to India, which he channelled in films like Awara and Shree 420 (1955). 

Among the biggest stars of the 1950s along with Dilip Kumar and Dev Anand, Kapoor showcased an authorial signature in his films with a message around pride for one바카라�s nation, especially in a newly independent, underconfident nation. Even in his relatively unsuccessful films like Jagte Raho (1956), Kapoor tried to address social inequity, and reformation through films like Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai (1960). While his contemporaries focused on just being better actors, Kapoor took on the mantle of seeing through the busiest time of RK Studios. 

 Like any actor from that era, Kapoor바카라�s personal life was the subject of intense speculation 바카라� especially his supposed affair with Nargis in the 바카라�50s, while being married to Krishna Kapoor. Kapoor poured his heartbreak into Sangam (1964), a film that was initially supposed to star the trio from Andaz. The first technicolour film of his career, Sangam went to star Rajendra Kumar, Vyjayanthimala and Kapoor himself. It would go on to be the last gargantuan success of Kapoor바카라�s career with himself in the lead. 

Battling age and a pronounced decline in aura because of changing times (Rajesh Khanna had emerged as a phenomenon around then), Kapoor bet his house on Mera Naam Joker (1970) 바카라� a 248-minute semi-autobiographical saga around a clown바카라�s final performance. The film didn바카라�t do well, and nearly eroded Kapoor바카라�s life바카라�s earnings, including RK Studios바카라� premises in Chembur. Kapoor had to recover the losses through his sons바카라� Randhir Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor바카라�s debut films 바카라� Kal Aaj Aur Kal (1973) and Bobby (1974) respectively.  

During his 바카라�second innings바카라�, Kapoor바카라�s films began to focus on female protagonists 바카라� in films like Satyam Shivam Sundaram (1978), Prem Rog (1982) and Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985) 바카라� which also launched his youngest son, Rajiv Kapoor. While prepping his fourth such film, Henna (1991), Kapoor passed away. The film was completed by Randhir Kapoor, with Rishi in the lead.  

Known for his varied taste in music, where he took interest in everything from folk music to Rabindra Sangeet, Kapoor바카라�s films were known for their popular songs and albums. His storied collaborations with Shankar-Jaikishan and lyricist Shailendra were an integral part of his 바카라�showman바카라� aura 바카라� given that he바카라�s known by his songs as much as his performances. It바카라�s impossible to sing Mera Joota Hai Japani, Awara Hoon or even Pyaar Hua Iqraar Hua and not instantly see Kapoor바카라�s face in those songs. 

Raj Kapoor was a rare specimen of a storyteller, star, actor, music aficionado, Bollywood fraternity member, ambassador for India 바카라� all rolled into one. It바카라�s not surprising that a 1967 Soviet song by Vladimir Vysotsky mentions Raj Kapoor among the most popular cultural signifiers for India after yoga and Shiva. Such was his popularity.  

Hindi cinema has rarely seen such talent bundled into one person, barring a handful of Kapoor바카라�s contemporaries. There are almost no contemporary parallels to Kapoor 바카라� including his grandson. As much as it might signal the changing times, it also has something to do with simple conviction. There바카라�s a reason why auteurs like Kapoor don바카라�t exist anymore: because they바카라�re not prepared to take risks like he did.

"Raj Kapoor 100 - Celebrating the Centenary of the Greatest Showman" is being organised by the Film Heritage Foundation, and will be held from December 13 - 15, 2024 in 40 cities and 135 cinemas (PVR INOX) across India.