1. The showman
born in Kapoor Mansion in Peshawar was named Ranbir Raj Kapoor. He was the
eldest of 6 children born to Prithviraj and Ramsarani Kapoor - 2 of whom died
in childhood.
2. Raj Kapoor
enrolled in various schools in cities like Dehradun, Calcutta (St. Xavier
Collegiate School) and Mumbai. He first appeared on screen in the film “Inquilab”
in 1945, when he was just 10 years old.
3. After acting
in many movies for the next 12 years, Raj's big break in the industry was found
as a lead actor in Madhubala's opposite “Neel Kamal “(1947). In 1948, at the
young age of 24, he opened his studio RK Films to become the youngest director
of his time.
4. His
directorial debut was with the film “Aag” and his first major success as an
actor was “Andaz” (1949). The same year, Rains was his first success as a
producer, director and star.
5. He was a member of the jury twice at the International Film Festival in Moscow. Same, “Mera Naam Joker” took 6 years to complete the film which he directed, produced and acted in it.
6. A Russian song
also mentions him among the 3 most famous symbols of Indian culture along with
Lord Shiva and Yoga. His last acting was seen in a cameo in the 1984
British-for-TV film Kim.
7. Raj Kapoor
fainted due to asthma when he was to receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award and was
later taken to AIIMS for treatment.
8. He was ready
to direct “Mehendi” before his death on 2 June 1988. Which was later directed
and released by his son Randhir. Along with this, a postage stamp was issued by
India Post on 14 December 2001 in his honor.
9. His films “Awara”
and “Boot Polish” were nominated at the Cannes Film Festival for the Palme d'Or.
In 2001 he was awarded the "Best Director of the Millennium" by the
Stardust Awards. Also named "Showman of the Millennium" by the Star
Screen Awards in 2002.
10. The wedding
procession at the stunning wedding of actor Dilip Kumar was welcomed by the late
Dev Anand, late Raj Kapoor, and the late
Prithviraj Kapoor.