The Kapoors Story

*******It's an acknowledged fact that the Kapoors belong to the first family of Hindi cinema. It started from the legendary Prithviraj Kapoor, and continues to this day with Ranbir Kapoor.
But not many know that Prithviraj went against the wishes of his family when he joined the Hindi film industry. His grandfather Dewan Keshavmal Kapoor was a tehsildar (chief of town/village council) and father was in the police. Prithviraj started his career as an extra, but soon landed a lead role in Cinema Girl (1930).

Ranbir's launch, Saawariya, enjoyed a lot of hype, as it a Kapoor son was making a debut after a long, long time. The film may not have done as well but that's another story. We take a look at the Kapoor debuts through the ages.

Though Prithviraj went against the wishes of his parents to become a cine star, he wanted his son Raj Kapoor to study and get a steady job.

But Raj was destined to be called the showman of Indian cinema.

He made his first film appearance in Inquilab (1935) as a child artist. He was 8.

At 16, he made his debut as an adult in Hamari Baat, opposite Suraiya, and Jail Yatra, opposite Kamini Kaushal, both in 1943.

He was barely 21 when he directed his first film, Aag (1948). He starred in the film as well, opposite Nargis. The film was a huge hit, and the partnership lasted through 16 more films, including Barsaat (1949), Shree 420 (1951), Awaara (1951) and Aah (1953).

Unlike his brothers, Shammi Kapoor was more inclined towards studies. In fact, he was the first Kapoor to go to college, even though he did not graduate.

Thokar (1953) was his first film opposite Shyama. But his rise to fame happened post Tumsa Nahin Dekha (1957), Dil Deke Dekho (1959) and Junglee (1961).

Shashi Kapoor
Like his father, Shashi Kapoor was more inclined towards theatre. At the age of six, he started going to plays and even acted in a play called Shakuntala.

Shashi started acting in films as child artist in Meena (1944). He also did small roles in Aawara (1951) and Aah (1953).

Shashi's first film as a hero was Chaar Diwari (1961), followed by Dharamputra in the same year and Prem Patra (1962). All of them flopped at the box office, and nobody wanted to cast him in movies as they thought he was jinxed.

But he soon got his share of hits with Jab Jab Phool Khile (1965), Haseena Maan Jayegi (1968), Sharmeelee (1971), Chor Machaye Shor (1974), Satyam Shivam Sundaram and of course, Deewar (1975).

He acted in many plays until he married Jennifer Kendall. His first son, Kunal, was born when Shashi was only 21.

Randhir acted as a child in Raj Kapoor's Aawara, when he was just four years old.

And unlike his dad, Raj Kapoor, and his uncles Shammi and Shashi Kapoor, Randhir started his career with direction and acting.

In fact, the very first film that he directed starred his grandfather Prithviraj Kapoor, his father and himself in Kal Aaj Aur Kal (1971). The heroine in the film was Babita, whom he later married.

He also worked as an assistant to Lekh Tandon in Amrapali (1966) and Jhuk Gaya Aasmaan (1968) He did not act in as many films compared to his star brothers and uncles. But he worked in memorable ones like Raampur Ka Lakshman (1972), Jawani Diwani (1972), Dharam Karam (1975) and Chacha Bhatija (1977).

Rishi was still a teenager when he starred in Raj Kapoor's Mera Naam Joker (1970). After the film bombed, Raj decided to re-launch his son in a masala film. Bobby (1973), which also introduced Dimple Kapadia, made Rishi an overnight sensation.

Rishi later married Neetu Singh, with whom he did quite a few films. Ironically, Neetu was the original choice for Bobby

Unlike Rishi who was launched by his father, Rajiv Kapoor was launched by Rajiv Mehra in Ek Jaan Hai Hum (1983). Though the film did not do well, the songs became very popular.

His second film, Aasman (1984), also did not do well.

Shashi Kapoor's eldest son Kunal made his first appearances in Junoon (1972) and Siddhatha (1978) when he was just a child.

His first film as a lead star was Ahista Ahista (1981) opposite Padmini Kolhapure. He followed this up with more films, but all of them flopped. Kunal decided to re-think his career, and soon turned his attention to Prithvi theatre, which was owned by the Kapoor family.

It is said that Shashi Kpoor never interfered in his children's careers.

Karan Kapoor

Like his siblings, Karan also played a child artist in Junoon, as well as 36 Chowringhee Lane (1981).

He was launched by Mukul Anand in Sultanate, which also marked the debut of Juhi Chawla. The film did not do well. Karan tried his luck in vain with two more films -- Loha (1987) and Zalzala (1988).

After struggling for a few years in the industry, he settled down in London with his wife and daughter and took up a career in photography.

Sanjana Kapoor

Ketan Mehta launched Sanjana in the film, Hero Hiralal (1988), opposite Naseeruddin Shah. Though she did two more movies, she felt more inclined to Prithvi theatre, where she still works today.

Even before Karisma was old enough to vote, her mother - the yesteryear actress Babita -- started meeting filmmakers for a role for her daughter, thus breaking the norm in the Kapoor khandaan of women working in films.

Karisma's first film was Danga Fasad (1990) opposite Jeet Upendra, but it did not make it to the theatres. Instead, it was Prem Qaidi (1991) that saw her film debut.

Karisma went on to star in quite a few notable films like Raja Hindustani, Fiza and Zubeidaa.

Kareena had a much-hyped debut with JP Dutta's Refugee (1990). After all, her hero was Abhishek Bachchan, the son of one of the most popular stars in India, Amitabh Bachchan.

Unfortunately, the film did not do well, and Kareena had to wait for her next film, Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai (1991) to taste success.

Kareena is one of the most successful actresses today, giving commercially and critically acclaimed performances in films like Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Omkara and Jab We Met.

Now that Ranbir has joined her in the movies as well, it will only be a matter of time before the RK banner resurrects itself.