Raj Kapoor

A legendary actor, director and producer who's often compared to Charlie Chaplin and revered as one of Bollywood's biggest stars, Raj Kapoor was born in Peshawar, Pakistan, on Dec. 14, 1924. The son of well-known actor Prithviraj Kapoor, he appeared in his first film at age 11. By his 20s, he'd reached superstar status and began financing projects through his own studio.

Although Kapoor launched his career as a leading man in romantic musicals such as Aag (1948) and Sangam (1964), he finished it out as a character actor, pouring his energies into his work behind the camera. His sons Randhir and Rishi followed in his footsteps, and he worked with them on several films, including Kal Aaj Aur Kal (1971) and Bobby (1973).

Kapoor died on June 2, 1988, during the filming of Henna, a politically charged romance. His sons completed the picture three years later, and it became a commercial success.

Aah

1953 NR

When a tragically ill engineer who wishes he was a poet (Raj Kapoor) mistakenly charms the sister (Nargis) of the woman he meant to woo (Vijaylaxmi), he'll have to lie and break her heart in order to save her from further pain. Will she ever learn the truth about his selfless act? This classic Bollywood love story is one of Kapoor's earliest film roles, with a soundtrack by Mukesh that features the hit song "Chhoti Si Yeh Zindagani."