To mark the 100th birth anniversary of the legendary Raj Kapoor, RK Films, Film Heritage Foundation, NFDC, NFAI & Cinemas are organising a festival titled ‘Raj Kapoor 100 – Celebrating the Centenary of the Greatest Showman’. The three-day festival will begin on December 13 and continue till December 15. Under this, 10 films of Raj Kapoor will be screened in 40 cities and 135 cinemas. The screening will take place in PVR-INOX and Cinepolis cinemas to ensure that the audience can experience this tribute at state-of-the-art locations across the country.
The special thing is that the ticket price in every cinema hall has been kept at just ₹ 100, so that everyone can be a part of this magical journey.
Raj Kapoor (1924–1988) is considered one of the greatest filmmakers of Indian cinema, who has left an indelible mark on world cinema. Known as “The Greatest Showman”, Raj Kapoor did such amazing work in filmmaking, acting and direction, which still inspires. Following in the footsteps of his father Prithviraj Kapoor, Raj Kapoor created his own identity. He worked as a child artist in Inquilab (1935). After this, in 1948, he founded R.K. Films Studio and made many historical films.
His films brought alive the dreams of the common man of post-independence India, the struggle between village and city and emotional stories. Films like Awara (1951), Shree 420 (1955), Sangam (1964) and Mera Naam Joker (1970) are still in the hearts of cinema lovers. His famous character, a ‘tramp’ inspired by Charlie Chaplin, became popular worldwide, especially in the Soviet Union.
Raj Kapoor was awarded the Padma Bhushan (1971), the Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1988) and several Filmfare Awards. His films like Awara and Boot Polish were also selected for the Cannes Film Festival, and Jagte Raho won the Crystal Globe at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.
Actor and filmmaker Randhir Kapoor believes, “Raj Kapoor was not just a filmmaker, he was a visionary who shaped the emotional tradition of Indian cinema. His stories are not just films, but emotional journeys that connect generations. This festival is our small tribute to his vision.”
Ranbir Kapoor, Actor, “We are so proud to be part of the Raj Kapoor family. Our generation stands on the shoulders of a legend whose films captured the spirit of his times and gave a voice to the common man for decades. His timeless stories continue to inspire, and this festival is our way of honouring that magic and inviting everyone to experience his legacy on the big screen. See you at the movies!” The festival will showcase Raj Kapoor’s most famous films, including:
- Aag (1948)
- Barsaat (1949)
- Awara (1951)
- Shree 420 (1955)
- Jagte Raho (1956)
- Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai (1960)
- Sangam (1964)
- Mera Naam Joker (1970)
- Bobby (1973)
- Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985)
So, come, relive the magical journey of Raj Kapoor from December 13 to 15, 2024 and celebrate the amazing legacy of this greatest showman of India.
