Rishi Kapoor- R K Studio was his Film Institute.

 

Rishi Kapoor (4 September 1952 – 30 April 2020)  made his debut, as an adolescent, in his father Raj Kapoor's film Mera Naam Joker (1970)for which he won the National Film Award for Best Child Artist. As an adult, his first lead role was opposite Dimple Kapadia in the teen romance Bobby (1973), which won him the Filmfare Award for Best Actor.

The acting was in his blood, he grew up in the cinema atmosphere all around him. He was the grandson of Prithviraj Kapoor, son of the greatest showman of Bollywood Raj Kapoor, and nephew of Shammi and Shashi Kapoor. He wrote in his Biography,"For me, there could have been no film institute better than RK Studio. Film sets were not out of bounds for us, we grew up comfortable in that ambiance. The language, the stories and discussions at home were almost entirely on films.

.I was two years old when I faced a camera.I have no recollection of that acting debut it is captured in the film. I have heard many tales of that day when my father cast him along with my brother and sister in the immortal song 'Pyar Hua Ikrar Hua. from Shree 420. The three of us had to walk through the rain scene.

From very early on, we were also exposed to another side of the film profession. the name, fame, and gossips are part of this life. We were natural to all these. Most of the Kapoors were dropout of schools, acting was their natural profession so he was. When he was in school Mera Naam Joker was offered to him. He played the role of the young Joker. Raj Kapoor fine-tuned his performance by rehearsing every shot of him many times.

Mera Naam Joker was released in 1970, the film flopped but his performance was appreciated. He got the National Award for his performance. His next film Bobby was a super hit He got the best actor award for this film..Between 1973 and 2000 he starred as the romantic lead in 92 films 

Some of his notable films during this period include Khel Khel Mein (1975), Kabhi Kabhie (1976), Sargam (1979), Karz (1980), and Chandni(1989). Since the 2000s, he played character roles to critical acclaim in such films as Do Dooni Chaar (2010), Aurangzeb (2013), and Mulk (2018). For his performance in Do Dooni Chaar (2010), he won the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor, and for his role in Kapoor & Sons (2016), he won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Rishi Kapoor was diagnosed with leukemia in 2018 and went to New York City for treatment but after returning home he again fell ill and died on  30 April 2020 

Song of Mera Naam Joker 1970

Song of Bobby 1973

Song of Rafoochakkar 1975

Song of Khel Khel Mein 1975

Song of Kabhie Kabhie 1976

Song of Sargam (1979)

Song of Chandni (1989)

Song of Karz (1980)

Raj Kapoor had a great ear for music

Have you ever thought, why the music of all his films remains immensely popular? The reason being he himself had a great knowledge of music. He learned music in his childhood. In his early days, he wanted to be a music director. He even sang in his earlier films like Dil Ki Rani, Chitchor, Chittor Vijay, Jail Yatra, and Gopinath.
His music journey started with Papaji (Prithviraj Kapoor) in theatre in Calcutta. When he came to Bombay he learned classical music playing Harmonium, Tabla, and Sitar at Narayan Rao Vijay Academy. He was also with Anil Biswas for some time.
He was very fond of composing tunes, he composed tunes with Ram Ganguli with whom Shankar, Jailishan used to play Harmonium and Tabla. It was there the birth of the Team of Shankar Jaikishan and Raj Kapoor took place, that entertained the music lovers.
Lata Mangeshkar in an interview said that a filmmaker has to be a musician himself to understand the quality of music needed in his films. She said that Raj Kapoor had a sharp music sence. Raj saab was a complete musician. He played the tabla, the harmonium, and the piano. He composed songs and sang them in his own voice before handing them over to professional playback singers.
Raj Kapoor's song sittings were very famous, all the stake holders of the song used to be invited on the sittings, time was no limit, every one present cold give his suggestion. He loved to listen to tunes, to prune and trim the compositions, to correct the singers. He also sit with the Lyricist to change a particular line or word which is not matching the tune, he perfected the compositions to suit his taste.
Lata Mangeshkar at a function said that the music of RK Films may have been attributed to Shankar-Jaikishan or Laxmikant Pyarelal in Bobby or Satyam Shivam Sundaram but it had the final finish of Raj Kapoor which used to be icing on the cake.
Raj Kapoor was of the opinion that songs are the important ingredient of Hindi cinema.He beeived that these should carry the story ahead. Like his peers Bimal Roy and Guru Dutt, he gave as much importance to the execution of a song as to a scene.
For him, the songs were truly not only audio but audio-visual. He saw music as it were; and only when he could how the song could be filmed, did he okay its recording. His use of elaborate sets, of light and shade to convey sombreness and technicolour to project joy, were all part of his visual perception.
Songs in RK films were never just 'there'; they were seamlessly woven into the fabric of the film, used intelligently and sensibly to complement the narrative.

Song of Barsaat 1949

Song of Awaara 1951

Song of Shree 420 1955

Song of Chori Chori 1956

Song of Anari 1959

Song of Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai 1960

Song of Sangam 1964

Song of Teesri Kasam 1966

Song of Mera Naam Joker 1970

Randhir Kapoor - Made his Debute asDirector and Hero

Randhir Kapoor(15th Feb 1947) the eldest son of Raj Kapoor made his acting and direction debut in a leading role in the family drama Kal Aaj Aur Kal (1971). He appeared as a child artist in Shree 420 (1955) and Do Ustad (1959). After his debut, he acted in three consecutive hit films, all released in 1972: Jeet, Rampur Ka Lakshman, and Jawani Diwani.
In 1975, he directed and starred alongside his father again in the critically acclaimed Dharam Karam, which was a box office disappointment.  From 1976 to 1981, his multi-star films such as Chacha Bhatija (1977), Kasme Vaade (1978) were successful
.Randhir married actress Babita, the daughter of actor Hari Shivdasani, on 6 November 1971 when he was just 24 after co-starring with her in Kal Aaj Aur Kal, as the couple fell in love during the shooting of this film. Their two daughters, Karisma Kapoor, born in June 1974, and Kareena Kapoor, born in September 1980, are Indian film actresses. 
 In 1991, he directed and produced the blockbuster Henna (1991), that starred his younger brother, Rishi Kapoor and Pakistani actress Zeba Bakhtiar. The film had started production in 1988 with his father Raj Kapoor directing, but after his death, Randhir took over as director of the film. Henna resulted in a trip to Pakistan, where he was treated royally by then-prime minister Nawaz Sharif, a fan of his father Raj and his uncle Shammi Kapoor.
In 1999, he made his comeback in the film Mother, alongside Rekha, Jeetendra and Rakesh Roshan. After another break, he appeared in the film Armaan (2003), in a supporting role as Preity Zinta's father. 

Song of Shree 420

Song of Kal Aaj aur Kal 1971

Song of Rampur Ka Lakshman 1972

Song of Jawani Diwani 1972

Song of Haath Ki Safai. 1974

Song of Dharam Karam 1975

Raj Kapoor left an indelible impact on Indian cinema.

Raj Kapoor, the Greatest Showman of Bollywood started as a Clapper Boy assisting Kidar Sharma. Raj Kapoor appeared in a film for the first time at the age of ten in  1935's Inquilab. He appeared as a child artist in many more films It was his Guru Kidar Sharma, who introduced him in the lead role in Neel Kamal (1947) opposite Madhubala in her first role as a leading lady.
 In 1948, at the age of twenty-four, he established his own studio, R. K. Films, and became the youngest film director of his time making his directorial debut with Aag starring himself, Nargis, Kamini Kaushal, and Premnath.
On Raj's 95th birth anniversary today, I give a lowdown on his films which you have and will continue to watch multiple times.

Song of Aag 1948

Aag (1948): This 1948 Bollywood flick, which marked Raj Kapoor's debut as producer and director, was the first of several films in which he was paired opposite Nargis. Interestingly, the film also starred Raj's youngest brother Shashi Kapoor as a child artiste. Shashi had essayed the role of the younger version of Kewal, the character which Raj played.


Andaz(1949)

Song of Andaz 1949

 He got real recognition from 1949 film Andaz, he co-starred alongside Dilip Kumar and Nargis in that film. Though Andaz is talked about its unique casting coup of bringing together  Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor, it must be admitted that at the time of Andaz’s making, both were just beginning to become stars Andaz took Nargis right to the top and established her without doubt as India’s finest dramatic actress. Dilip Kumar too consolidated on his image of paying the tragic lover   Raj Kapoor in the more difficult role of the husband suspecting his wife’s infidelity more than manages to match strides with Dilip Kumar while showcasing the comic side of his personality 

Barsaat (1949): 

Song of Barsaat (1949)

Released in 1949, the film starred the already popular Bollywood onscreen couple - Raj Kapoor and Nargis. Actress Nimmi was launched in the film industry with this film. Barsaat is referred to as one of the first key successful films which Raj had directed. Such was the success of the film that it enabled Kapoor to purchase RK Studios in 1950. 

Awara (1951)

Song of Awara (1951)

Produced and directed by Raj Kapoor, and written by Khwaja Ahmad Abbas. It stars Raj Kapoor, Nargis, Prithviraj Kapoor. Awaara is considered a milestone in the history of Bollywood. In the film, Kapoor's poor, innocent "little tramp" character references Charlie Chaplin and was further developed in other Kapoor films such as Shree 420. 



Chori Chori (1956) 

Song of Chori Chori (1956)

This was not a RK film but was an AVM Film.The film starred Raj Kapoor and Nargis again and it was the last film they worked together as Hero and Heroine. The film was a musical hit.Raj Kapoor played a Daku for the first time.

Anari (1959) 

Song of Anari (1959)

The film stars Raj Kapoor, Nutan, Motilal, and Lalita Pawar. This was among the few movies in which Lalita Pawar played a positive role and Motilal a role with shades of grey. The film was directed by Hrishikesh Mukharjee. Raj Kapoor got a Filmfare Award for this film.

Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai (1960): 

Song of Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai (1960)

Directed by Radhu Karmakar and produced by Raj Kapoor, the film was a hit at the Box Office. Raj played the role of a poor friendly orphan who ekes out a livelihood by crooning songs.

Mera Naam Joker (1970):

Song of Mera Naam Joker (1970)

It's an RK Film The film was made over six years and a huge portion of the money invested came from Raj's personal fortune. The film stars Kapoor as the eponymous character, with Simi Garewal, Kseniya Ryabinkina and Padmini in supporting roles.The film was partly made with the participation of Soviet actors and was partly shot in Moscow. The film was rejected by audiences and critics, putting Kapoor into a financial crisis,

Bobby (1973) .

Song of Bobby 1973

After the debacle of Joker, this was the film Raj Kapoor produced and directed It was a Teenager's love story having his son Rishi Kapoor and a newcomer Dimple Kapadiahe film became a trendsetter    The film became a blockbuster, the top-grossing Indian hit of 1973, the second-top-grossing hit of the 1970s at the Indian box office

The Rise and Fall of Iconic Studios and Banners of Bollywood

A Film Studio is an organisation and a place where artists, technicians, laboratory, sound studio, film sets, editing all present under one roof. Initially, cinema was run by the individuals but gradually studio system emerged in India. Prabhat Studio was the first Hindi film studio of India. It was established in 1929.
It made twenty-five films in its 15 years long journey. Those days all the artists were employed by the studios and were given salary. Some of the big names like V Shantaram, Dev Anand, Guru Dutt, Durga Khote were the product of this studio.

Prabhat Films Logo

Song of Hum Ek Hain 1946

In 1931 came up B N Sircar's New Studio in Calcutta. This studio made 165 films over a span of 25 years. K L Saigal and Bimal Roy were the product of this studio.  Another studio the Wadia Movietone was established in 1933 by the Wadia brothers J. B. H. Wadia and Homi Wadia, who were most known for Hunterwali (1935).  

Song of Jeevan Naiya 1936

In 1935 Devika Rani and Himanshu Rai started Bombay Talkies. They made 102 films and introduced stars like Ashok Kumar, Dilip Kumar and Dev Anand.

Rajkamal Kalamandir

Song of Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje (1955),

V Shantaram who was with Prabhat studio started his own studio Rajkamal Kalamandir in 1942.It defied the star system and concentrated more on music, drama and new techniques It made both Hindi and Marathi films. It was best known for Dr Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani (1946), Amar Bhoopali (1951), Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje (1955), Do Aankhen Barah Haath (1957), Navrang (1959) and Pinjra (1972). In its heyday, Rajkamal was one of the most sophisticated studios of the country.

Song of Mother India 1957

In 1943 another iconic Studio started, it was Mehboob Studio which gave us Mother India. It had made hits such as Anmol Ghadi (1946) and Andaz (1949). Guru Dutt shot his iconic Kaagaz Ke Phool here, and actor-director Dev Anand shot many of his movies under the Navketan Films banner here, starting with Hum Dono and followed by Guide; he even maintained an office at the studio complex for 20 years.

Song of Munimji 1955

In 1943 came Filmistan Studio by Shasdhar Mukherjee which changed the face of Hindi Cinema. It was based in Goregaon, Mumbai. Spread over five acres, near Patkar College on SV road, the studio has seven shooting floors and a temple and garden for outdoor locations. Filmistan produced a number of successful hit movies in the 1940s and 1950s, including hits such as Shaheed (1948), Shabnam (1949) and Sargam (1950) and successful films such as Anarkali (1953) and Nagin (1954). Other notable films were Jagriti (1954), which won the Filmfare Best Movie Award in 1956, and also Munimji (1955), Tumsa Nahin Dekha (1957) and Paying Guest (1957).

Song of Barsaat 1949

In 1948 established R K Studio by Raj Kapoor. The studio occupied nearly two acres of land in the Mumbai suburb of Chembur. The studio's main building was constructed in the early 1950s. Raj Kapoor’s cottage was behind this building where he often organized small intimate meetings and functions.After the commercial failure of the studio's first venture, Aag (1948), it found success with Barsaat (1949). After this success, the company's logo was drawn to imitate the poster of Barsaat. Successful films such as Awaara (1951), Boot Polish, Jagte Raho and Shri 420 followed. Awaara was particularly successful, not just in India, but all over the world. Many R.K. Films movies featured Kapoor opposite actress Nargis.

On 16 September 2017, RK studio has caught fire and collapsed as of now. A massive fire broke out in the studio during the shoot of a television reality show and the studio was engulfed in fire.

The Kapoor family has decided to sell the iconic RK Films and Studios, which was built by legendary actor Raj Kapoor nearly 70 years ago, due to growing losses.

Song of Taxi Driver 1954

Navketan Films is a film production house based in Mumbai, India. Started in 1949 by actor-director and producer Dev Anand and his elder brother Chetan Anand, The first film under this banner was Afsar released in 1950 Since then 32 films were made under this banner. The last film was Chargesheet in 2011.

Song of Madhumati 1958

In 1953 came Bimal Roy Production. Under this banner, many great films were made. The first film under this banner was Do Beegha Zamin in 1953, Devdas (1955), Madhumati(1958), Sujata(1960), Bandhini(1963) and many more.

Song of Pyaasa 1957

In 1954 Guru Dutt Films was established. The first film Aar Paar was released in 1954. Guru Dutt not only produced, directed but also acted in the film. This was followed by the 1955 hit, Mr. & Mrs. '55, then C.I.D., Sailaab and in 1957, Pyaasa His 1959 Kaagaz Ke Phool was an intense disappointment.Later in 1960 came Chaudhvin Ka Chand and Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam  in 1962 were remarkable.

Song of  Naya Daur 1957

 In 1955, B R Chopra formed his own production house, B.R Films. His first movie for this production house was Ek hi Raasta which was highly successful followed it up with Naya Daur (1957) starring Dilip Kumar and Vyjayantimala Bali, the film became a golden jubilee hit.His subsequent releases like Kanoon, Gumrah, Humraaz were major hits in the sixties.

In 1961 Nasir Hussain Films started. The musical hits like Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai (1961), Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon (1963), Teesri Manzil (1966), Baharon Ke Sapne(1967), Pyar Ka Mausam (1969), Caravan (1971), Yaadon Ki Baraat (1973), and Hum Kisise Kum Naheen (1977) came under this banner.

Song of Kabhie Kabhie 1976

YRF was founded by Yash Raj Chopra, a veteran of the Indian film industry, in 1970. Yash Chopra started out as an assistant to his elder brother, B.R.Chopra, and went on to direct five films for his brother's banner - B.R. Films. YRF controls almost every part of the value chain from production to post-production, domestic and international distribution, music, home entertainment, marketing, design, digital, licensing, merchandising, talent management, brand partnerships, music studios and film studios - all in-house facilities. YRF has its own fully integrated studio that houses shooting stages and sound studios and is headquartered in Mumbai. After the death of founder Yash Chopra in 2012, his son Aditya Chopra took over as Chairman and Managing Director of the company.