[ad_1]
The films of iconic actor-director Raj Kapoor are returning to Indian screens this weekend as part of the RK Film Festival. PVR and the Film Heritage Foundation are re-releasing his cult films to celebrate his 100th birth anniversary this year. (Also read: The ‘most unsuccessful actor’ of the Kapoor family never got the lead role, worked as an extra without credit, Raj Kapoor never cast him)
Running across 101 theaters in 34 cities from December 13 to 15, the festival will be one of the most comprehensive retrospectives ever dedicated to the cinema of Raj Kapoor. Here are 7 Raj Kapoor movies that you can watch on the big screen this weekend:
Aag (1948)
This musical drama brought many firsts for Raj Kapoor. Firstly, it served as the actor’s directorial debut. Second, it was the first film made under his new banner RK Films. Third, it introduced Raj Kapoor and Nargis as one of Hindi cinema’s most enduring onscreen pairs. The film also stars Raj Kapoor’s younger brother, Shashi Kapoor, who plays the younger version of his brother’s character. However, the film was not a box office hit.
Barsaat (1949)
With this blockbuster, Raj Kapoor made his first hit film as a director, which emerged as the biggest hit of Hindi cinema till that time. The huge success of Barsaat, starring Nargis, allowed Raj Kapoor to acquire the famous RK Studios in Chembur, Mumbai.
Maverick (1951)
Hailed as one of Time’s 100 Greatest Hits of All Time in 2012, the crime drama’s socialist themes increased Raj Kapoor’s popularity in the Soviet Union. Written by Khwaja Ahmed Abbas, Awara starred Nargis in the lead role and Raj Kapoor’s legendary father, Prithviraj Kapoor, in a supporting role.
Jagte Raho (1956)
Written by KA Abbas and directed by Sombhu Mitra and Amit Mitra, the film is made in both Hindi and Bengali languages. The film, based on the struggles of a villager in a bustling city, starred Raj Kapoor in the lead role. It won certificates of merit at national awards and achieved huge success in the Soviet Union.
Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai (1960)
Produced by Raj Kapoor, the film marked the directorial debut of Radhu Karmakar, who had worked with the actor-filmmaker several times as cinematographer. Raj Kapoor was with Padmini in this. The film was awarded the Certificate of Merit for Best Feature Film in Hindi at the National Awards.
Sangam (1964)
Raj Kapoor returned to direction with this musical romance, a love triangle between the characters he played, Rajendra Kumar and Vyjayanthimala. Written by Inder Raj Anand, Sangam was reportedly the first Indian film to be shot extensively abroad, in London, Paris and Switzerland. At almost 4 hours, it was the longest film of that time. It became the second highest-grossing film of the decade after Mughal-e-Azam. Sangam also produced Raj Kapoor’s first full color film.
Bobby (1975)
After the career-changing failure of Mera Naam Joker, directed in 1970, Raj Kapoor was keen to direct a young love story with newcomers. So he launched Bobby with his son Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia, which not only proved to be a tremendous commercial success but also a cultural phenomenon.
[ad_2]
