Raj Kapoor’s iconic films are returning to Indian screens this weekend as part of the RK Film Festival. PVR and the Film Heritage Foundation are re-releasing his classic films to celebrate his 100th birth anniversary. The festival, which runs from December 13 to 15, will be held in 101 cinemas across 34 cities. As a result, it will be one of the largest retrospectives of Raj Kapoor’s films ever.
Here are seven films you can catch this weekend:
First, Aag marked Raj Kapoor’s directorial debut. It was also the first film produced under his banner, RK Films. Additionally, it introduced Raj Kapoor and Nargis as a memorable on-screen pair. Moreover, Raj’s younger brother, Shashi Kapoor, appeared in the film, playing a younger version of Raj’s character. However, despite its significance, the film was not a box office success.
Next, Raj Kapoor’s first major hit was Barsaat. This film became the biggest hit of Hindi cinema at the time. Starring Raj Kapoor and Nargis, its success also allowed Raj Kapoor to acquire the legendary RK Studios in Chembur, Mumbai.
Moving on, Awaara is one of Raj Kapoor’s most acclaimed films. In fact, it was named one of Time’s All-Time 100 Greatest Hits in 2012. The film’s themes of social justice also made it popular in the Soviet Union. It starred Raj Kapoor and Nargis, with Raj’s father, Prithviraj Kapoor, in a key supporting role.
Furthermore, Jagte Raho was made in both Hindi and Bengali. The film tells the story of a villager’s struggles in a city. Raj Kapoor played the lead role. It was especially successful in the Soviet Union, where it became a massive hit. Additionally, it won a Certificate of Merit at the National Awards.
In 1960, Raj Kapoor produced Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai. It marked the directorial debut of Radhu Karmakar, a longtime cinematographer for Raj Kapoor. Raj starred opposite Padmini in this film, which went on to win a Certificate of Merit for Best Feature Film in Hindi at the National Awards.
Then, Sangam marked Raj Kapoor’s return to direction. This musical romance revolves around a love triangle. The film was groundbreaking as it was the first Indian movie to be shot in multiple countries, including London, Paris, and Switzerland. At nearly four hours, it was also the longest Indian film at the time. As a result, Sangam became the second highest-grossing film of the decade, after Mughal-e-Azam. Moreover, it was Raj Kapoor’s first full-color film.
Finally, after the career setback of Mera Naam Joker, Raj Kapoor directed Bobby. He launched his son, Rishi Kapoor, alongside Dimple Kapadia in the film. This movie turned out to be a massive commercial success, and it quickly became a cultural phenomenon. Not only did it mark a new chapter in Raj Kapoor’s career, but it also launched his son’s film career.
