Raj Kapoor and Nargis in “Awara”.
Ten of Raj Kapoor’s films including “Aag”, “Awaara”, “Shree 420”, “Sangam” and “Bobby” will be screened retrospectively across India from December 13 to December 15 to celebrate the multihyphenate’s birth centenary. 15.
Raj Kapoor’s grandson and actor Ranbir Kapoor had announced the ceremony during a session remembering his grandfather at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) last month.
Titled ‘Raj Kapoor 100 – Celebrating the Centenary of the Greatest Showman’, the retrospective is presented by RK Films, Film Heritage Foundation and NFDC-National Film Archive of India, according to a press release issued on Wednesday.
The screening will begin on 14 December, a day before Raj Kapoor’s birth anniversary and end a day later. The shows of his films will be held in 40 cities and 135 theaters of PVR-Inox and Cinepolis.
Organizers said movie tickets will be priced at ₹100 across all participating theatres, making the festival as inclusive and memorable as the stories Raj Kapoor told on screen.
Raj Kapoor’s eldest child Randhir Kapoor said that he wants the audience to once again experience the magic and legacy of his father on the big screen.
“Raj Kapoor was not just a filmmaker; He was a visionary who shaped the emotional landscape of Indian cinema. His stories are more than just films; They are powerful, emotional journeys that connect generations of viewers. Randhir Kapoor said in a statement, this festival is our humble tribute to the greatness of his vision.
Ranbir Kapoor said, we are very proud to be a member of the Raj Kapoor family.
“Our generation stands on the shoulders of a giant whose films reflected the spirit of his times and gave voice to the common man for decades. His timeless stories continue to inspire, and this festival is an opportunity to honor that magic and invite all Our way of doing that is to experience his legacy on the big screen. See you in the movies!” He added.
Other films that are part of the retrospective are “Barsaat”, “Jaagte Raho”, “Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai”, “Mera Naam Joker” and “Ram Teri Ganga Maili”.
Raj Kapoor, an actor, a director and a producer, was the son of film star Prithviraj Kapoor, who made his mark by debuting as a child artiste in “Inquilab” (1935). In 1948, he founded the prestigious RK Films studio, which produced enduring classics like “Awara”, “Shree 420” and “Sangam”.
He was one of the first actor-filmmakers who took Indian cinema across the world, garnering a massive fan following in Russia, Uzbekistan and Georgia and the countries of the erstwhile Soviet Union.
published – December 04, 2024 10:20 PM IST
