The Kapoors: The First Family of Indian Cinema (Part 1)

There is no film family quite like the Kapoors. A family of professional actors and directors, they span almost eighty years of film-making in India, from the twenties to the present. Each decade in the history of Hindi films has had at least one Kapoor - if not more - playing a large part in defining it.

Prithviraj came to Bombay in the twilight era of silent movies and went on to straddle both theatre and the silver screen like a colossus, starring in the first full-length talkie, "Alam Ara" (1931), setting up Prithvi Theatres, and giving life to memorable characters like "Akbar" and "Sikandar" on-screen. His three sons Raj Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor - have earned secure and distinct places in the celluloid pantheon, dominating Hindi cinema throughout the fifties and sixties. Over the next decade and a half, Raj Kapoor's sons Randhir and Rishi Kapoor survived the Amitabh Bachchan-spawned age of the action hero. Later, just when it looked like the family's fortune in tinsel town was finally in decline, Karisma Kapoor, the first daughter of the clan put it right back in the lead.

Originally hailing from the city of Samundri, District Lyallpur, Punjab origin, five generations of the Kapoor family have acted, directed or produced in the Bollywood industry, starting from Dewan Basheshernath Kapoor right down to Ranbir Kapoor. It was founded by actor Prithviraj Kapoor, whose eldest son Raj Kapoor became a superstar in the Hindi film industry, and his two other sons (Shammi Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor) became stars in their own right. Most members of the family have either acted in, produced or directed films, and have had a major impact on Indian films.

Though all three of Prithviraj Kapoor's sons became actors, it is Raj Kapoor's descendants that have carried on the family legacy. His sons, Randhir Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor went on to become well-known actors whilst his youngest son Rajiv Kapoor was not as successful. Randhir Kapoor's daughters, Karisma Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor, two of the Hindi superstars of today, although the former has temporarily retired due to marriage. In addition to that, Rishi Kapoor's son, Ranbir Kapoor made his debut in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Saawariya (2007) and now is one of Bollywood's top film-stars.

1st generation
Dewan Basheshernath Kapoor - a retired policeman and son of Dewan Keshavmal Kapoor who made a cameo in his grandson Raj Kapoor's movie, Awaara (1951)

2nd generation
Prithviraj Kapoor - The patriarch of "The First Family of Indian Cinema", five generations of which family, beginning with him, have played active roles in Hindi cinema

3rd generation
Raj Kapoor
Shammi Kapoor
Shashi Kapoor

4th generation
Randhir Kapoor
Rishi Kapoor
Rajiv Kapoor

5th generation
Karisma Kapoor
Kareena Kapoor
Ranbir Kapoor

http://karisma-kapoor.webs.com, http://karisma-kapoor.forumotion.com

Video Credit: RK Films, Eros Entertainment, Rajshri

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• The Kapoors
• Kapoor Family
• First Family of Indian Cinema
• Dewan Basheshernath Kapoor
• Prithviraj Kapoor
• Raj Kapoor
• Shammi Kapoor
• Shashi Kapoor
• Randhir Kapoor
• Rishi Kapoor
• Rajiv Kapoor
• Karisma Kapoor
• Kareena Kapoor
• Ranbir Kapoor
• Bollywood Classic
• Bollywood Film Family
• Bollywood Legacy
• Bollywood Royalty
• RK Films
• Awaara 1951
• Sikandar 1941
• Brahmachari 1968
• Haseena Maan Jayegi 1968

[KHAN1561]

bibinna jee what a good job done i am from a villiage(NAHAQI ) 1OKLM FROM PESHAWAR where raj kapoor jee granfather mr bashesher nath was police officer in that villiage police station and mr partiviraj spent his young age there and used to go to edward college peshawar dialy mr partiviraj also arrange and direct stage darams ( natak) where the entire area used to watch i was invited by rajkapoor uncle in 1986 and stayed with him we have family realation and share it we love raj family

[bilbinna]

@KHAN1561 Dear Mr Khan, I'm really happy & proud of you :) It's an honor for me to see Kapoor's relative here. My kind regards to you and your whole family.

[TheSantosh84]

Ashok kumar was the first Indian actor who became famous for creating waves in Bollywood.It was due to him that people liked watching movies.

[KHAN1561]

@Jangara1 what you r trying to say?our family r the biggest enemy of indian ppl what that means my friend?

[Jangara1]

@KHAN1561 so sad to know that ur family has been the biggest enemy of indian ppl and has been working on brain washing ppl´s minds since ages in order to achieve the new world order !!...

[heersaletti]

u forgot KUNAL KAPOOR. :))

[saeedinterviewer]

i m also from peshawar m proud coz m from peshawar n its the place of raj family... pray for me i m 32 years old gonna work on film "kalash"in pakistan north area Psychofrenic luv based histirical epic on kalash 1500 bc culture.

[KHAN1561]

bilbinna jee thank you very much for your reply i love mr raj kapoor during my stay with him he gave me love/resepect and we share alot of memories he said after his marriage he have his honeymoon in peshawar he traveled by khybermail train arrived peshawar rent a tanga have a tour of the entire city and then rested his haveli (home) in dakhi kissakhwani bazzar(as you see in my video)amazangly he rememberd everthing like he asked me is in chowk yadager they still sell cherey(small bird)

[KHAN1561]

bibinna jee what a good job done i am from a villiage(NAHAQI ) 1OKLM FROM PESHAWAR where raj kapoor jee granfather mr bashesher nath was police officer in that villiage police station and mr partiviraj spent his young age there and used to go to edward college peshawar dialy  mr partiviraj also arrange and direct stage darams ( natak) where the entire area used to watch i was invited by rajkapoor uncle in 1986 and stayed with him we have family realation and share