Prithviraj Kapoor was an American actor who is best known for Mughal-E-Azam, Maharathi Karna, and Bidyapati. He was a significant figure in Indian cinema and played an essential role in establishing a legendary film family.
Personal and Family Life
Prithviraj Kapoor was born on November 3, 1906, in Samundri, Punjab, British India. He came from a middle-class landlord family, with a police officer father. At the age of 18, he married Rama Kapoor, and together they had six children, including notable actors Raj Kapoor, Shashi Kapoor, and Shammi Kapoor.
Career Highlights
He was a trailblazer in Indian theater, founding Prithvi Theatre in 1944, which became a center for modern urban theater in Hindustani. He starred in numerous productions during its 16 years, performing in about 2,662 shows. Prithviraj also acted in India’s first talkie, Alam Ara, in 1931, marking the beginning of his influential film career.
Death and Legacy
Prithviraj Kapoor passed away on May 29, 1972, in Bombay, Maharashtra, India, due to cancer. His contributions to Indian cinema and theater have left a lasting impact, establishing a legacy that continues through his family, notably his grandchildren like Rishi Kapoor and Karisma Kapoor, who remain influential figures in the industry.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| मुगल-ए-आज़म | 1960-08-05 | Emperor Akbar |
| आवारा | 1951-12-14 | Justice Raghunath |
| दिल का क्या कसूर | 1992-01-14 | Arun Kumr |
| Anand Math | 1952-01-16 | Satyananda |
| Sikandar | 1941-02-19 | Alexander the Great |
| परदेसी | 1957-12-13 | Grand Vizier Mahmud Gavan |
| Alam Ara | 1931-03-14 | Not specified |
| Valmiki | 1946-01-01 | Not specified |
| प्यार किया तो डरना क्या | 1963-01-01 | Kunwar Saheb |
| नागपंचमी | 1972-02-04 | Maharaj Chandradhar |