Raj Kapoor Biography: Movies, TV Shows, Family, Age, Net Worth, Awards, Cause of Death, Wikipedia, Siblings, Wife, Children

Shrishti Nath Kapoor, also known as Raj Kapoor, was a legendary figure in Indian cinema, celebrated as an actor, director, and producer. He began his career as a child actor in 1935 and later founded RK Films at the age of 24. Kapoor made his directorial debut with Aag in 1948, where he also starred.

His immense success came with iconic films such as Barsaat (1949), Awaara (1951), Shree 420 (1955), and Sangam (1964), which skillfully blended entertainment with social themes like poverty, morality, and national pride. Known as “The Greatest Showman of Indian Cinema,” Kapoor earned international recognition.

Profile

• Full Name: Shrishti Nath Kapoor
• Stage Name: Raj Kapoor
• Born: 14 December 1924
• Died: 2 June 1988
• Age: 63 years old
• Birthplace: Kapoor Haveli, Peshawar, Pakistan
• Nationality: Indian
• Occupation: Indian actor and film director
• Height: 1.7 m
• Parent: Prithviraj Kapoor and Ramsarni Devi Kapoor (née Mehra).
• Siblings: Shammi Kapoor, Shashi Kapoor, Urmila Sial
• Died: 2 June 1988 (age 63 years
• Children: Rishi Kapoor, Randhir Kapoor, Rajiv Kapoor, Reema Kapoor, Ritu Nanda
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $30–50 million

Early Life And Education

Raj Kapoor was born on December 14, 1924, at Kapoor Haveli in Peshawar, North-West Frontier Province, British India (now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan). He was the eldest son of renowned actor Prithviraj Kapoor, the patriarch of the Kapoor film dynasty, and Ramsarni Devi Kapoor (née Mehra). Raj was one of six children, including his actor brothers Shammi Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor, and his sister Urmila Sial, while two siblings died in infancy.

Due to the family’s frequent relocations, he attended several schools, including Colonel Brown Cambridge School in Dehradun, St. Xavier’s Collegiate School in Calcutta (now Kolkata), and Campion School in Bombay (now Mumbai). A Punjabi Hindu by heritage, Raj Kapoor belonged to the Dhai Ghar Khatri community and practiced Hinduism.

Career

Raj Kapoor began his cinematic career as a child actor in the 1935 film Inquilab, marking the start of a remarkable journey that would span over five decades and shape Indian cinema. Coming from the esteemed Kapoor family, he quickly transitioned to adult roles in the 1940s, appearing in films such as Gauri (1943), Valmiki (1946), and Neel Kamal (1947), where he honed his skills as an actor.

At the age of 24, he founded his own production house, RK Films, and made his directorial debut with Aag (1948), in which he also starred. This marked the beginning of his dual legacy as both an actor and director, with his early films delving into themes of ambition, love, and social change. His major breakthrough came with Barsaat (1949), which established him as a dominant force in Bollywood and set the stage for his subsequent successes.

The 1950s proved to be a golden period for Kapoor, marked by the release of classics like Awaara (1951) and Shree 420 (1955), both of which he directed and starred in. Known for their memorable music and Chaplin-esque characters, these films resonated with audiences both in India and internationally, particularly in the Soviet Union and China.

Kapoor‘s portrayal of the lovable underdog became iconic, with songs like “Awara Hoon” and “Pyar Hua Iqrar Hua” achieving global recognition. As an actor, he continued to shine in films such as Andaz (1949), Anari (1959), and Chori Chori (1956), often portraying earnest characters who navigated societal challenges.

His collaborations with renowned actresses like Nargis and directors such as Mehboob Khan further cemented his status as a versatile performer and visionary producer, fostering innovative storytelling at RK Studios.

In the 1960s, Kapoor expanded his creative vision with films like Sangam (1964), his first color film, which explored themes of love and friendship on an epic scale. Despite shifting audience preferences, he adapted his style, as seen in Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai (1960), which combined patriotism with entertainment.

Kapoor also took bold risks with Mera Naam Joker (1970), a deeply personal film that faced commercial failure upon release but is now regarded as a classic for its emotional depth and reflective nature. The film’s ambitious narrative reflected Kapoor‘s philosophy of maintaining optimism despite personal challenges.

Following this, he reinvented himself with Bobby (1973), which launched the careers of his son Rishi Kapoor and actress Dimple Kapadia. Kapoor continued to direct successful films like Satyam Shivam Sundaram (1978), Prem Rog (1982), and his final directorial venture, Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985), which tackled social issues and featured bold storytelling that was ahead of its time.

Social Media

Raj Kapoor does not have active social media accounts.

Personal Life

Raj Kapoor married Krishna Malhotra in 1946 when he was 21 and she was 16, and together they shared a remarkable marriage lasting 42 years.

The couple had five children: three sons, Randhir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, and Rajiv Kapoor, and two daughters, Ritu Nanda and Rima Jain. Despite their enduring partnership, Raj Kapoor passed away on June 2, 1988, in New Delhi at the age of 63 due to complications related to asthma.

Filmography

• Aag (1948) – Director, Actor
• Barsaat (1949) – Actor
• Awaara (1951) – Director, Actor
• Anhonee (1952) – Actor
• Shree 420 (1955) – Director, Actor
• Jagte Raho (1956) – Actor, Producer
• Chori Chori (1956) – Actor
• Anari (1959) – Actor
• Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai (1960) – Actor
• Sangam (1964) – Director, Actor
• Teesri Kasam (1966) – Actor
• Mera Naam Joker (1970) – Director, Actor
• Bobby (1973) – Director
• Prem Rog (1982) – Director
• Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985) – Director

Net Worth

Raj Kapoor‘s net worth at the time of his death was estimated to be between $30–50 million, with much of his wealth tied to his ownership of iconic properties such as RK Studios, RK Cottage, and various real estate holdings.

His primary sources of income stemmed from his successful career as an actor, director, and producer in Hindi cinema.