Prithviraj Kapoor, the iconic actor who played a pioneering role in the Indian theatre and Hindi Film industry, is the one who gave Kapoor Khandan to Bollywood. Not only did Prithviraj contributed to Bollywood but he also did a remarkable work in theatres. Right from the minor roles in silent films to the supporting role in India’s first talkie film, the actor’s talent led him towards becoming one of the most unforgettable personalities in India.
Prithviraj Kapoor with his sons- Shashi Kapoor, Raj Kapoor, and Shammi Kapoor
(Image Courtesy: Rediff.com)
On the occasion of his 111th Birth anniversary, let’s turn back the pages of Bollywood’s History and learn some facts about the great actor Prithviraj Kapoor.
• Prithviraj Kapoor was born in Lyallpur, which is now known as Faisalabad (in Pakistan) in the year 1906. He started acting in theatres in his native town and Peshawar.
• In 1982, he moved to Mumbai to act in films. Here, he joined Imperial Films Company and started acting in minor roles.
• As earlier, there were no talkie films in India; he got work in 9 silent movies like Do Dhari Talwar and Prince Vijaykumar.
• In the year 1929, he got a lead role in the film Cinema Girl, which was his third film. Later, in 1931, he bagged a supporting role in Alam Ara. It was a historical film as it was country’s first talkie creation.
• He founded the Prithvi Theatres in 1946 and the theatre group used to stage patriotic plays to inspire the young generation to take part in the Indian freedom struggle.
• In the film Kal, Aaj aur Kal, the three generations of Kapoor family were seen- Prithviraj, his son Raj Kapoor, and his grandson Randhir Kapoor.
Prithviraj Kapoor with his son Raj Kapoor and grandson Randhir Kapoor in ‘Kal, Aaj aur Kal’
(Image Courtesy: rediff.com)
• Since his father, Dewan Basheswar Nath also did a cameo in the movie Awara, Kapoor family is the only one in India whose five generations have acted in the films. Currently, Prithviraj’s fourth generation including Kareena and Ranbir are acting in Hindi films.
• His list of awards includes honors like Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1956), Padma Bhushan in (1969) and Dada Saheb Phalke Award (1971).
• In 1996, on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of theatre, Indian Post issued a two-rupee stamp with his photo to commemorate the actor. Later in 2013, his face again appeared in a stamp to celebrate 100 years of Indian cinema.
