The Pioneer. Review on Raj Kapoor

Harsh Thakor writes

Raj Kapoor made the greatest contribution to the Indian film Industry by becoming the pioneer in bringing the Indian film Industry to the masses.For the first time the man on the street could relate to films.He was the first person to put the Indian Film Industry on the map of the world.

He was born,the oldest son of the legendary actor Prithviraj Kapoor.He gave up studies at the time of his matriculation year and was throw out of the house by the father.However he rebelled and made a debut in the film Aag,which reflected his own life story .His first major hits were Aah and Barsaat where he acted and directed,where he gave subtle performnaces revealing his prowess in playing romatic leads or emotional roles.However he became the darling of the masses after 'Awaara',(1951)perhaps technically the greatest film he ever made.He introduced the Charlie Chaplinesque acting form for the first time in Indian Cinema enacting a tramp who is thrown out of his family as a child and has to go through all the hardships-reflecting the social reality of that time.In the end the irony of the story is that his own father convicts him after Raaj takes revenge on the person responsible for braeking his family.The scenes when he laughs in jail eating aroti and when he identifies himself with his dog are 2 of the most touching scenes .Here the Raj-Nargis duo began.Comrade Mao Tse Tung of China called it the garetset film he ever saw which reflected the role of environment on an individual.Shri 420,(made I 1954)Again starring with Nargis)was made on the same lines when a tramp comes from a village to Bombay to seek out a living.The corrupting influnces of the economic and social order ae beautifully reflected.The movie reflects the injustices of capitalism blending sadness with humour.In asubtle way Raj showed hisi Socialist Inclinations in 'Awaara' and 'Shri 420".He also championed the cause of a poor man in 'Jagte Raho' where he gave his best acting performance and in Jis Desh Men Ganga Baheti Hai championed the Gandhian cause with artistic mastery.He also beautifully portrayed his chaarcter in 'Anaadi' co-starring with Nutan ,in his typically Charlie Chaplinesque Manner.He gave asubtle performance as a military pilot in Sangam(1964) where 2 men(Raj Kapoor and Rajendra Kumar) are in love with the same woman and one sacrifices his life in the end.

Howevever the film which threw the graetset light on Raj Kapoor's career was 'Mera Naam Joker'.91970)This film was an autobiographical film of Raaj Kapoor.No Indian film to me has had such philisophical depth.The story of a Joker who makes the World laugh but secretly brushes that tear from his eyes evoked my heart more than any film ever.It reflected the life of Charlie Chaplin.(Made the World laugh but was sad from within)The scenes when he expresses his love to his women holding the Joker with the background music are amongst the most touching scenes ever witnessed.The sensitivity is reflected in the Joker's eyes.He beautifully depicts emotions of humour sadness,hope,frustration and anger.I can't forget the scenes when he singsJaane Kaha Gaye vo Din No.and when he talks to his lover ,the Russian Circus girl Marina after hisi mother's death in the Circus.He simply cries smiling.Unfortuntely the film failed in the box office as the masses could not understand it.THe Movie was also repetitive,with the symbol of the Joker repeated over and over again which brougt drudgery.Originally,the film had 6 parts ,but was cut to 3.

To recover his lost money Raaj produced Bobby a major hit where he introduced Rishi Kapoor.THe film was a masterly romantic direction,reflecting the Indian social culture and the class nature of sociey.Later Raj produced Satyam Shivam Sundaram,another hit and Raam Ter Ganga Meli where he showed his prowess in projecting sensuality in Women.People are critical of his promoting pornographic scenes but he gave sex an artistic form.Raj Kapoor was masre in projecting eroticism.

After prrolonged illness he died in 1988 at a young age of 64.In his interviews before Raj reflected thge changing times and how children were now far aware of the world.

Where would Raj rank as an actor and adirector?TRue Raj basically performed a Charlie Chaplinesque figure but remember he alo played romantic roles in SAngam,Barsaat Etc,as well as serious roles in Jagte Raho and Jis Desh Mein Ganga Baheti Hai.He was more diverse than Dilip Kumar or Dev Anad and imitated Charlie Chalin like a genius to the Indian conditions.His main weakness was that he over projected and enacted melodrama unlike Guru Dutt.His films also were not as versatile as Bimal Roy,Hrishikesh Mukherjee or Guru Dutt,perhaps reflecting a limited range of themes.However to combine humour and pathos together(particularly in storise reflecting social reality) few directors could equal Raj's prowess..(From avery sad moment you could immediately go into avery happy one)

Raj had a fantastic musical sense and although he deployed Shankar and Jaikishan the music was basically his owm selection.(Always conducted the orchestra and decided the music)To me the theme music of Mera Naam Joker is the best I have ever heard-like the theme of Lara in Dr.Zhivago.He used Mukesh I almost all his lead songs.,who became his life-long friend.

Most charming and good-looking he was a very sensitive man in real life who fell in love with almost every actress he acted with.His love affair with Nargis is one of the most bonded affairs ever between Bollywood Stars.Over and above he stood up for all he believed in .When she married Sunil Dutt and left him it took him along time to get over.He also had a strong sense of humour.

His brothers and more importantly his sons and grand childred performed succesfuly leaving the great actor's legacy behind.No Indian Star has ever been so popular in Russia were they sang his songs on bicycles.Raj Kapoor is a legend who will live in the hearts of people forever.

By Harsh Thakor