Biography Of Randhir Kapoor

Family Background

Main article: Kapoor Family

Randhir Kapoor is the eldest son of Raj Kapoor and his wife Krishna Kapoor. He is a fourth generation Kapoor and comes from a distinguished family who have been part of the industry for many years. His great-grandfather was Dewan Basheswarnath Kapoor, his grandfather was Prithviraj Kapoor, his paternal uncles are Shammi Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor. His brothers are Rishi Kapoor and Rajiv Kapoor. His wife was actress Babita Kapoor and his daughters are current stars Karisma Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor.

[edit] Career

Randhir Kapoor made his acting and directorial debut with Kal Aaj Aur Kal (1971) which also starred his wife, father and grandfather. The film was produced under the R.K banner, and flopped badly. However, after a few more flops, he finally scored with two successful movies, the first with Jaya Bachchan in the film Jawani Diwani (1972) which also included the hit song Jaane Jaan. The movie was one of the biggest hits of that year and was applauded because of the music and performances. The other success, also released in the same year, was in Rampur Ka Lakshman, with Shatrughan Sinha and Rekha, and directed by Manmohan Desai, with music by the legendary R.D.Burman.

Interestingly, except for Jawani Diwani, whose success was due to a very major extent to its music by the extremely talented Rahul Dev Burman at the peak of his creative form, Randhir Kapoor never gave a single successful movie in which he was the leading hero. All his hits were with other major stars, and in which Randhir Kapoor himself was only a second hero.

He went on to appear in many other hit films such as Chacha Bhatija, Kasme Vaade and Pukar. After 1984 he left the film industry for 15 years and came back with the film Mother (1999). After another break he appeared in the film Armaan (2003). Since then he has not acted in films.

Randhir Kapoor has also directed films post Kal Aaj Aur Kal. He directed Dharam Karam (1975), which was also a flop, and the hit film Henna (1991). The film was at first directed by Raj Kapoor but he died during the production of the film. He produced Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985) which revived the career of his brother, Rajiv. The film went on to do well and it also won the Filmfare Best Movie Award.

[edit] Personal life

Randhir and Babita were college sweethearts but there marriage was not a success. Babita was also in the movie business, as an actress, until the time of her wedding. The Kapoor family tradition mandated her withdrawal from film upon marriage. After some time, they separated and Babita took their daughters with her. They did not get back together, and live separately. Despite the Kapoor family tradition, Babita encouraged her daughters to become film stars and to indulge in controversial western costumes (which were thought to be scandalous in prior years).

[edit] Filmography

• Armaan (2003) ... Gulshan Kapoor
• Mother (1999) ... Kumar Sinha
• Khazana (1984)
• Humse Na Jeeta Koi (1983) ... Kishan Singh
• Pukar (1983) ... Shekhar
• Sawaal (1982) ... Vikram "Vicky" D. Mehta
• Zamaane Ko Dikhana Hai (1981) ... Ramesh Nanda (Guest Appearance)
• Harjaee (1981) ... Ajay Nath
• Biwi-O-Biwi: The Fun-Film (1981) ... Chander Mohan
• Dhongee (1979) ... Anand/Mr. Chimpaklal
• Aakhri Daku (1978)
• Bhakti Mein Shakti (1978)
• Chor Ke Ghar Chor (1978)
• Heeralal Pannalal (1978) ... Pannalal
• Kasme Vaade (1978) ... Raju
• Chacha Bhatija (1977) ... Sunder
• Kachcha Chor (1977)
• Mama Bhanja (1977) ... Bhanjaa
• Ram Bharose (1977)
• Bhanwar (1976) ... Anup/Balbir Singh
• Aaj Ka Mahaatma (1976) ... Randhir/Ranvir Varma
• Bhala Manus (1976)
• Ginny Aur Johny (1976)
• Khalifa (1976)
• Dharam Karam (1975) ... Dharam
• Dafaa 302: Indian Penal Code Section 302 (1975)
• Lafange (1975) ... Gopal/Sadhu
• Ponga Pandit (1975) ... Bhagwati Prasad Pande/Prem
• Dil Diwana(1974)
• Haath Ki Safai (1974)
• Hum Rahi (1974)
• Rickshawala (1973)
• Jawani Diwani (1972) ... Vijay Anand
• Jeet (1972) ... Ratan/Ratanu
• Rampur Ka Lakshman (1972) ... Lakshman
• Kal Aaj Aur Kal (1971) ... Rajesh Kapoor