Nation marks Raj Kapoor's 100th birth anniversary; PM calls him the 'eternal showman'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to actor-filmmaker Raj Kapoor on his 100th birth anniversary on 14 December 2024, calling him a cultural ambassador who took Indian cinema to the global stage.
Summary
Raj Kapoor's 100th birth anniversary was marked on 14 December 2024. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed him as a visionary filmmaker, actor and 'the eternal showman', and a cultural ambassador who took Indian cinema to the global stage. Born on 14 December 1924 in Peshawar, the son of Prithviraj Kapoor, Raj Kapoor founded RK Films and made his directorial debut with Aag in 1948; his films include Barsaat, Awaara, Shree 420 and Bobby. He received the Padma Bhushan in 1971 and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1988. To mark the centenary, a retrospective, 'Raj Kapoor 100', screened 10 of his films in 40 cities and 135 cinemas across India.
Key facts
- Date
- 14 December 2024, 100th birth anniversary
- Born
- 14 December 1924, Peshawar; son of Prithviraj Kapoor
- PM's tribute
- 'Eternal showman', cultural ambassador of Indian cinema
- Directorial debut
- Aag (1948), first RK Films production
- Honours
- Padma Bhushan (1971), Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1988)
- Centenary retrospective
- 'Raj Kapoor 100': 10 films, 40 cities, 135 cinemas
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Raj Kapoor, whose 100th birth anniversary was marked on 14 December 2024, made his directorial debut with which film?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Aag
Raj Kapoor's directorial debut Aag (1948) marked the beginning of RK Films.
In which year did Raj Kapoor, whose birth centenary was celebrated in December 2024, receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 1988
Raj Kapoor received the Padma Bhushan in 1971 and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1988.
Raj Kapoor, whose 100th birth anniversary fell on 14 December 2024, was born in 1924 in which city?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Peshawar
Raj Kapoor was born on 14 December 1924 in Peshawar, now in Pakistan, the son of Prithviraj Kapoor.