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Photo: India Post, Government of India / Wikimedia Commons · GODL-India

Actor · Hindi Cinema

Raj Kapoor

Golden Age1935–1988

The “Showman” of Indian cinema, Raj Kapoor was an actor, director and studio founder whose everyman “tramp” persona made him a phenomenon from India to the Soviet Union. As founder of R.K. Films he mentored a whole ecosystem of talent. His films married mass entertainment with social conscience and unforgettable music.

Honours: Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1987); Padma Bhushan; multiple Filmfare Awards.

Filmography

55 films · compiled from Wikidata

The 1970s–80s

Gopichand Jasoos

Abdullah poster

Abdullah

Naukri poster

Naukri

Khaan Dost poster

Khaan Dost

Do Jasoos poster

Do Jasoos

Dharam Karam poster

Dharam Karam

Mera Desh Mera Dharam poster

Mera Desh Mera Dharam

Kal Aaj Aur Kal poster

Kal Aaj Aur Kal

Mera Naam Joker poster

Mera Naam Joker

Best known for: Awaara · Shree 420 · Mera Naam Joker · Barsaat · Sangam

Did You Know?

“Awaara Hoon” made him a household name across the USSR and China.
The R.K. Studios logo — inspired by a scene from Barsaat — became iconic.
The Filmfare Award trophy, nicknamed “the Black Lady,” has honoured Hindi film excellence since 1954.
“Bollywood” blends “Bombay” (now Mumbai) with “Hollywood” — but the industry’s formal name is simply Hindi cinema.
Raja Harishchandra (1913) by Dadasaheb Phalke is regarded as the first full-length Indian feature film.

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