Showman Raj Kapoor is considered to be the biggest superstar of Indian films for the last 100 years. Other than Dilip Kumar no other actor has box office success anywhere near Raj Kapoor. Credit goes to his own production, direction, music of Shankar Jaikishan, lyrics of Shailendra, Hasrat Jaipuri, camera work of Radhu Karmakar and brilliant singing by Mukeshji, Manna Dey Sahab, Lataji, Rafisahab and others and the entire team of Raj Kapoor.
In 1948 Raj Kapoor directed his film Aag where he was the lead actor. But in 1949, Raj Kapoor’s Barsaat became the greatest blockbuster which was a golden
jubilee hit running for more than 50 weeks. Raj Kapoor produced and directed the film with Nargis, Premnath, KN Singh, Nimmi playing important characters. It was the first time Shankar Jaikishan composed music for the film. Mukeshji’s song “chor gaye balam”, Lataji’s “hawa me udta jaye”, “jiya beqarar hai” became super hit. In the same year, Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar starrer Andaz was the 2nd biggest blockbuster. Nargis acted opposite the two titans Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar. Mehboob Khan directed the film and music was composed by Naushad Ali.In 1950, Raj Kapoor’s film Dastan was the 4th biggest hit of the year after Ashok Kumar’s Samadhi, Dilip Kumar’s Babul, and Ashok Kumar’s Sangram. Dastan was a silver jubilee hit running for more than 25 weeks. AR Kardar directed the film. Naushad Ali composed the music. Raj Kapoor, Suraiya, Veena played the lead roles.
In 1951, Raj Kapoor’s Awaara became the biggest blockbuster. It was a golden jubilee hit and ran for more than 50 weeks. It became popular in Russia and Europe as well. Raj Kapoor produced and directed the film. The music was composed by Shankar Jaikishan. Nargis, Raj Kapoor, Prithviraj Kapoor, Leela Chitnis, KN Singh played the lead roles. Mukeshji’s song “awara hoon, yah gardish me hoon aasman ka tara hun”, Lataji’s “jab se balam ghar aye”, “ghar aya mere pardesi” became super hit.
In 1952, Raj Kapoor’s Anhonee became the 5th biggest hit film. KA Abbas directed the film. Roshanlal Nagrath composed the music. Nargis, Raj Kapoor, Om Prakash played the lead roles. In the same year, Raj Kapoor’s Bewafa became the 8th biggest hit. Nargis, Raj Kapoor and Ashok Kumar played the lead roles. The film was directed by ML Anand. AR Qureshi composed the music. Talatji’s song “dil matwala lakh samhala”, “tumko phursat ho” became big hit. In that year Dilip Kumar Aan was the biggest blockbuster.
In 1953, Raj Kapoor’s Aah became 9th biggest hit film. It was directed by Raja Nawathe and produced by Raj Kapoor. Music was composed by Shankar Jaikishan. Nargis, Raj Kapoor and Pran played the lead roles. Mukeshji’s song “aaja re”, “jane nan azar” and Lataji’s song “rajaki ayegi baraat” became superhit. In that year Pradeep Kumar’s Anarkali was the biggest blockbuster.
In 1955, Raj Kapoor’s Shree 420 became the biggest blockbuster. It was a golden jubilee hit and ran for more than 50 weeks. Raj Kapoor produced and directed the film. The music was composed by Shankar Jaikishan. Rafisahab’s song “ramaiya vasta maiya”, Manna Deysahab’s song “dil ka haal sune dilwala”, “mur murke na dekh”, Lataji’s song “ichakdana” became super hit. In that year Dilip Kumar’s Azaad was the 2nd biggest hit.
In 1956 Raj Kapoor’s Chori Chori was a silver jubilee hit running for more than 25 weeks. Nargis, Raj Kapoor, Pran played the lead role. The music was composed by Shankar Jaikishan. Manna Dey’s song “aaja sanam madhu chandni me hum”, “yeh raat bheegi bheegi”, Lataji’s “rasik balma” became super hit.
In 1957 Raj Kapoor’s Sharda was a silver jubilee hit running for more than 25 weeks. Meena Kumari, Shyama acted opposite him. The music was composed by C Ramchandra. Mukeshji’s song “jap jap jap re”, Lataji’s song became super hit.
In 1958, Raj
Kapoor’s Phir Subah Hogi was a silver jubilee hit running for more than 25 weeks. Ramesh Saigal directed the film. The music was composed by Khayyam. Mala Sinha, Rehman acted opposite Raj Kapoor. Mukeshji’s songs “wo subah kabhi to ayegi”, “phir na kije meri gustakh nigahon ka gila” became super hit.In 1959, Raj Kapoor’s Anari was the biggest blockbuster and a golden jubilee hit. It ran for more than 50 weeks. Hrishikesh Mukherjee directed the film. Shankar Jaikishan composed music for the film. Nutan, Raj Kapoor, Lalita Power played the lead roles. Mukeshji’s song “sab kuch seekha humne”, “kisiki muskurahaton pe ho nisar”, Lataji’s song “yeh chand khilan”, became super hit. Raj Kapoor received the filmfare award for best actor for Anari in that year.
In 1960, Raj Kapoor’s Jis Desh Me Ganga Behti Hai became the 4th biggest blockbuster and a golden jubilee hit running for more than 50 weeks. It was produced by Raj Kapoor and directed by Radhu Karmakar. Shankar Jaikishan composed the music of the film. Padmini, Pran acted opposite Raj Kapoor. Raj Kapoor again received filmfare award for best actor for the film. Lataji’s song “o maine pya kiya”, “o basanti pawanapawan”, Mukeshji’s song “aa ab laut chale”, “mera naam raju”, “hoton pe sacchai rehte hai” became super hit. In that year Dilip Kumar’s Mughal I Azam was the biggest blockbuster.
In 1964, Raj Kapoor’s Sangam became the biggest blockbuster and a platinum jubilee hit. It ran for more than 75 weeks. Raj Kapoor produced and directed the film. Shankar Jaikishan composed the music of the film. Rajender Kumar, Vaijayantimala, Raj Kapoor played the lead roles. All the songs became super hit including Rafisahab’s “ki tum naaraaz na hona”, Mukeshji’s “bol radha bol”, “o mehbooba”, to name a few.
Raj Kapoor’s other silver juvilee hits included Parvarish in 1958 opposite Mala Sinha, Mai Nashe Me Hoon opposite Mala Sinha in 1959, Chalia opposite Nutan in 1960, Shrimaan Satywadi opposite Shakila in 1960, Nazrana opposite Vaijayantimala, Usha Kiran in 1961, to name a few. The other films of Raj Kapoor which did better than average business included Bawre Nain opposite Geeta Bali in 1950, Do Ustad opposite Madhubala in 1959, Aashiq opposite Padmini in 1962, Dil Hi To Hai opposite Nutan in 1963, Diwana opposite Saira Banu and Around the World opposite Rajashree in 1967. After Mera Naam Joker’s failure in box office in 1970, Raj Kapoor did cast his son Rishi Kapoor from Bobby in his own films. So viewers saw actor Raj Kapoor in few films in the 1970s and 1980s.
In a career of 67 films as actor, more than 25 films of Raj Kapoor ended up as golden jubilee, silver jubilee and platinum jubilee. It is an amazing record. Other than Tragedy King Dilip Kumar and Bengali superstar Uttam Kumar, no actor comes any close to the huge box office success of Showman Raj Kapoor.
