Fans remember greatest 'showman' Raj Kapoor on death anniversary

As today marks the 32nd death anniversary of the legendary Raj Kapoor, fans and admirers took to social media to pay tribute to the ultimate showman of the Indian cinema. Kapoor breathed his last in 1988, after battling for life for about a month.

Mumbai: Tuesday marks Bollywood's original 'showman' Raj Kapoor's death anniversary. The evergreen actor-filmmaker passed away 32 years ago and he is still remembered by fans for his immense contribution to Hindi mainstream cinema.

Calling him the 'First superstar', the 'Showman' and the 'Legend' fans paid tribute to the on-screen icon.

"His legacy will live on. He was the perfect 'Sangam' of acting, producing and directing," a user tweeted.

From posting throwback pictures to praising his art and fondly recalling the movies he had made, tributes poured in on social media on Tuesday.

Paying tribute to the legendary actor and filmmaker, a user shared an old video in which Kapoor is seen talking in Punjabi.

"Have never heard Raj Kapoor speak Punjabi until now! What a gem of an old Punjabi quote he touches upon,'Maan jivendi satt, karam na dindi vand (a mother can bear seven children, but it's not up to her to decide/divide their individual fate)'," the fan wrote.

Raj Kapoor was the eldest child of Prithviraj and Ramsarni Kapoor. At the age of nine, he first appeared on screen in the 1935 film Inquilab.

His major break in the industry in a lead role was in the film Neel Kamal (1947) opposite Madhubala.

Later in 1948, at the young age of 24, he established his own studio - RK Films. Aag was his first directorial project. Awara, Shree 420, Mera Naam Joker and Sangam are some of Raj Kapoor's evergreen films.

RK, as he was fondly known to fans and colleagues alike, got married to Krishna Kapoor in 1946. The late couple had five children - Randhir, Ritu, Rishi, Rima and Rajiv Kapoor. Rishi and Ritu are no more.

On May 2, 1988, Raj Kapoor was conferred with Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Since he was unwell, he attended the function with an oxygen mask. When his name was announced to receive the award, Raj Kapoor reportedly was unable to get up and seeing his discomfort, the then President R. Venkatarama came down from the stage to present him the award.

On June 2, 1988, after battling for life for about a month, Kapoor breathed his last.

With inputs from IANS.