One of the biggest trends in 2024 happens to be movie re-releases in the theatres years after their initial outing, which not only hits the fans with a wave of nostalgia but is also a great way for cinema fans to enjoy these classics on the big screens. We saw Jab We Met, Veer Zaara, Kal Ho Na Ho, Rockstar, and many others be screened in multiplexes around the country to absolutely housefull shows this year. As the year wraps up, and Raj Kapoor’s birthday inches closer, the Film Heritage Foundation has brought to you Raj Kapoor 100.
The celebration of what is the centennial anniversary of Raj Kapoor’s birthday includes the screening of his most famous films over the weekend starting from December 13th, 2024. These screenings of Raj Kapoor films will be held in close to 40 cities and 135 cinemas across the country. This festival is presented by R.K. Films, Film Heritage Foundation, NFDC - National Film Archive of India in association with PVR INOX Ltd and Cinépolis, and with all tickets at Rs 100, this should be high on your weekend activities. You can book your tickets at PVR-Inox, Cinepolis and BookMyShow websites.
Here are the Raj Kapoor films you can watch this weekend at Raj Kapoor 100
1. Aag (1948)
One of the most special Raj Kapoor films, Aag was directed, produced, and acted in by the star, and was one of his first collaborations with Nargis who’d go on to be one of his most acted with co-stars.
Aag is the story of Kewal, who almost scares off his new bride on the wedding night with his disfigured face. The story then goes into a flashback with Kewal telling Sudha, his now wife, the story of falling in love, with his classmate at school, Nirmala. When her family relocates, he is heartbroken, and tries to find his Nimmi in every girl he meets. In a freak accident, his face gets burned off, with him now looking disfigured. Unknown to him, Sudha is his Nimmi, and how the couple get there makes the heartfelt story of Aag.
2. Barsaat (1949)
Another of the Raj Kapoor films where he acted, directed, as well as produced, Barsaat stars him, Nargis, Prem Nath, and Nimmi. The film follows the story of two friends with contrasting personalities and tempers, Pran and Gopal. The duo meets two mountain girls while vacationing in Kashmir Valley and falls in love. How Pran and his beloved Reshma’s love story blossoms despite struggles and how Gopal and Neela’s love story takes a turn is what makes up the plot of the film.
3. Awara (1951)
This Raj Kapoor film was basically a family outing. Starring his real-life father Prithviraj Kapoor as his on-screen father, and real-life brother Shashi Kapoor as his younger version, Awara is the story of a petty criminal, who is unknown to both him and his father, is the biological son of the judge who convicts him. This crime drama Raj Kapoor film was one of the most well-received films of his career. He also directed and produced the film which was nominated for the Palm d’Or that year.
4. Shree 420 (1955)
The highest grosser of 1955, this Raj Kapoor film explores the story of Raj. A simpleton, he hails from Allahabad, comes to Bombay to make a living. Raj falls in love with poor but virtuous Vidya, played by Nargis but is quickly lured in by a dishonest businessman in a scheme to con poor people and get rich quicker. Vidya tries to stop him but fails, which makes her contempt for him grow. What happens when Raj realises that the evil businessman Sonachand has no intentions of keeping his promises and has only used him as a pawn, Raj decides to make things right. What happens thereafter makes the story of Shree 420.
5. Sangam (1964)
This Raj Kapoor film was the magnum opus of his RK Films. This is in fact one of the biggest grossers after Mughal-e-Azam in that decade. Touted as their career-best performances, the film stars Raj Kapoor, Vyjanthimala, and Rajendra Kumar. The film follows the story of Sundar, Gopal, and Radha who have been friends since they were kids. The love triangle gets more entangled when Sundar enlists for the IAF and goes to Kashmir for a dangerous mission where his aircraft is shot, and he is presumed dead. Gopal and Radha, who already liked each other inch closer, but as the love story takes off, Sundar reappears, explaining the situation. What happens thereafter makes the plot of this critically acclaimed Raj Kapoor film.