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Raj Kapoor
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Raj Kapoor

Actor, director and producer known as the “Showman” of Hindi cinema

14 December 1924 – 2 June 1988 India Verified by our editors
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Lived
63 yrs
1924 – 1988
Works listed
7
Film
Honours
2
Most recent 1988
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Raj Kapoor was an actor, director and producer who founded R. K. Films and created some of Hindi cinema’s best-loved films. His tramp-like hero in Awaara and Shree 420 made him famous across the Soviet Union, the Middle East and beyond. He died in 1988.

Biography

R. K. Films

In 1948, aged 24, he founded R. K. Films and directed Aag. Barsaat (1949) was a big hit, and with Awaara (1951) and Shree 420 (1955) — featuring the song “Mera Joota Hai Japani” — he created a Chaplin-like everyman whose innocence clashed with a corrupt city. His screen pairing with Nargis became one of the most famous in Indian cinema.

International fame

Awaara became hugely popular in the Soviet Union, Turkey, China and the Middle East, making Raj Kapoor one of the best-known Indians abroad. He later directed Sangam (1964), the ambitious Mera Naam Joker (1970), which failed at first but is now regarded as a classic, and the teenage romance Bobby (1973), which launched his son Rishi Kapoor.

A theatrical family

Raj Kapoor was the eldest son of actor Prithviraj Kapoor, founder of Prithvi Theatres. He began as a clapper boy and assistant to director Kidar Sharma and had his first lead role in Neel Kamal (1947), opposite Madhubala.

Honours and legacy

He received the Padma Bhushan in 1971 and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1988, suffering an asthma attack at the ceremony; he died a month later, on 2 June 1988. His sons Randhir, Rishi and Rajiv and grandchildren including Karisma, Kareena and Ranbir Kapoor continued the family’s place in Hindi film.

Timeline

  1. 1924

    Born in Peshawar, British India (now Pakistan)

  2. 1947

    First lead role in Neel Kamal

  3. 1948

    Founds R. K. Films and directs Aag

  4. 1949

    Barsaat

  5. 1951

    Awaara

  6. 1955

    Shree 420

  7. 1964

    Sangam

  8. 1970

    Mera Naam Joker

  9. 1971

    Padma Bhushan

  10. 1973

    Bobby

  11. 1988

    Dadasaheb Phalke Award; dies in Delhi

  12. 1988

    Died, aged 63

Notable works

  • 1949

    Barsaat Film

  • 1951

    Awaara Film

  • 1955

    Shree 420 Film

  • 1956

    Jagte Raho Film

  • 1964

    Sangam Film

  • 1970

    Mera Naam Joker Film

  • 1973

    Bobby Film

    As director.

Awards and honours

  • Padma Bhushan

    1971

  • Dadasaheb Phalke Award

    1988

Did you know?

  1. 1

    He founded his own studio at the age of 24.

  2. 2

    Awaara was a sensation in the Soviet Union.

  3. 3

    He was born in the same Peshawar neighbourhood as Dilip Kumar.

Connections

Related people

Also born on 14 December

Frequently asked

Who is Raj Kapoor?

Raj Kapoor was an actor, director and producer who founded R. K. Films and created some of Hindi cinema’s best-loved films. His tramp-like hero in Awaara and Shree 420 made him famous across the Soviet Union, the Middle East and beyond. He died in 1988.

When did Raj Kapoor die?

Raj Kapoor died on 2 June 1988 at the age of 63.

Where is Raj Kapoor from?

Raj Kapoor was born in Peshawar, British India (now Pakistan).

What is Raj Kapoor known for?

Raj Kapoor is best known for Awaara, Shree 420, Jagte Raho, Sangam, Mera Naam Joker, Bobby.

What awards has Raj Kapoor received?

Notable honours include Padma Bhushan (1971), Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1988).

References

  1. Raj Kapoor — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
  2. Raj Kapoor — Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
  3. Raj Kapoor — IMDb. IMDb. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
  4. Raj Kapoor — Hindi Wikipedia. Wikipedia (Hindi). Retrieved 27 October 2026.
  5. Raj Kapoor (Q55407) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 27 October 2026.

Includes material from the Wikipedia article “Raj Kapoor”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. That text is available under the same licence. Learn more

External links

Wikipedia
Filed under BollywoodDadasaheb Phalke AwardGolden age of Hindi cinemaKapoor family ActorFilm DirectorProducer

Featured in

Bollywood

Legends of Hindi cinema’s golden age

The 1950s and 1960s gave Hindi cinema its greatest classics. Meet the actors, singers and filmmakers who defined the golden age.

27 October 2026

About this profile

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“Raj Kapoor.” TrackFame, last updated 28 October 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/raj-kapoor

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