The Kapoor family is one of the most prominent and influential families in Bollywood, with at least four generations of actors, directors, and producers. However, did you know that there are actually two different Kapoor families in the film industry, and that they are related to each other? In this article, we will explore the surprising connection between Anil Kapoor and Raj Kapoor, and how their families have shaped the history of Indian cinema.
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The Patriarch: Prithviraj Kapoor
The story of the two Kapoor families begins with Prithviraj Kapoor, who was born in 1906 in Samundri, Punjab (now in Pakistan). He was the son of Basheshwarnath Kapoor, a police officer who also acted in a few films. Prithviraj Kapoor was the first member of his family to pursue a career in acting, and he moved to Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1928. He made his film debut in Do Dhari Talwar, the first talkie film of India. He was also a pioneer of Indian theatre and the founding member of Indian People’s Theatre Association (IPTA). He established Prithvi Theatre in 1944, which became a platform for many aspiring actors and playwrights.
Prithviraj Kapoor had three sons: Raj Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor, and Shashi Kapoor. All of them followed their father’s footsteps and became successful actors and filmmakers. Raj Kapoor was the most influential among them, and he is widely regarded as the greatest showman of Indian cinema. He founded R.K. Studio in 1948, and produced, directed, and starred in many classic films such as Awaara, Shree 420, Mera Naam Joker, and Bobby. He was also known for his romantic pairing with Nargis, one of the most iconic actresses of Bollywood.
Shammi Kapoor was another popular star of the 1950s and 1960s, who was known for his energetic and rebellious style of acting. He starred in many hit films such as Tumsa Nahin Dekha, Dil Deke Dekho, Junglee, Teesri Manzil, and An Evening in Paris. He was also famous for his dancing skills and his collaboration with music director R.D. Burman.
Shashi Kapoor was the youngest son of Prithviraj Kapoor, and he made his debut as a child actor in his brother Raj’s films. He later became a leading man in the 1970s and 1980s, and worked with many renowned directors such as Yash Chopra, Shyam Benegal, James Ivory, and Ismail Merchant. He also produced several films under his banner Film Valas, such as Junoon, Kalyug, 36 Chowringhee Lane, and Utsav. He was married to Jennifer Kendal, an English actress who co-founded Prithvi Theatre with him.
The Cousin: Surinder Kapoor
While Prithviraj Kapoor and his sons were making waves in Bollywood, there was another branch of the family that was also trying to make a mark in the film industry. Surinder Kapoor was a distant cousin of Prithviraj Kapoor, who came to Bombay from Peshawar (now in Pakistan) in 1947. He initially lived in Raj Kapoor’s garage, and later shifted to an apartment in a middle-class suburb. He worked as a secretary for Geeta Bali, a famous actress who married Shammi Kapoor. He also produced several films such as Pukar, Woh Saat Din, Judaai, No Entry, and Wanted.
Surinder Kapoor had four children: Boney Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Sanjay Kapoor, and Reena Marwah. Boney Kapoor followed his father’s footsteps and became a successful producer. He is known for producing films such as Mr India, Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja, Pukar (2000), Company (2002), No Entry (2005), Wanted (2009), Mom (2017), etc. He was married to Sridevi , one of the most celebrated actresses of Indian cinema , who passed away in 2018.
Anil Kapoor is the most famous among Surinder’s children , and he is one of the most versatile and enduring actors of Bollywood . He made his debut in 1979 with Hamare Tumhare , and since then he has starred in more than 100 films across various genres . Some of his notable films are Woh Saat Din , Mashaal , Mr India , Tezaab , Ram Lakhan , Parinda , Lamhe , Beta , Virasat , Taal , Nayak , Dil Dhadakne Do , etc . He has also won several awards , including two National Film Awards and six Filmfare Awards . He has also ventured into international cinema , and has appeared in films such as Slumdog Millionaire , Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol , and TV series such as 24 and Family Guy .
Sanjay Kapoor is another actor who made his debut in 1995 with Prem , opposite Tabu . He has acted in films such as Raja , Auzaar , Sirf Tum , Qayamat: City Under Threat , Shaandaar , etc . He has also appeared in web series such as The Gone Game and The Last Hour .
Reena Marwah is the only daughter of Surinder Kapoor , and she is married to Sandeep Marwah , a film producer and founder of Noida Film City . She is the mother of actors Mohit Marwah and Akshay Marwah .
The Connection: Anil Kapoor and Raj Kapoor
So, how are Anil Kapoor and Raj Kapoor related? Well, the simple answer is that Anil Kapoor’s father Surinder Kapoor was a cousin of Prithviraj Kapoor, who was Raj Kapoor’s father. That means Anil Kapoor is a cousin of Raj Kapoor, and he happens to be an uncle of Rishi Kapoor, who was Raj Kapoor’s son. That also means that Rishi Kapoor is a cousin of Sonam Kapoor, who is Anil Kapoor’s daughter. And that makes Sonam Kapoor a distant aunt of Ranbir Kapoor, who is Rishi Kapoor’s son.
Confused? Don’t worry, here is a simplified family tree to help you understand the relation better:
As you can see, the two Kapoor families are connected by blood, but they have also been connected by their work. Anil Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor have worked together in films such as Karobaar, Vijay, Gurudev, etc. Sonam Kapoor and Ranbir Kapoor made their debut together in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Saawariya in 2007. They also starred together in Rajkumar Hirani’s Sanju in 2018, where Ranbir played the role of Sanjay Dutt and Sonam played his love interest.
The two families have also been close friends, and they have often been spotted at each other’s gatherings and celebrations. They have also supported each other during difficult times, such as when Rishi Kapoor was battling cancer, or when Sridevi passed away.
The Legacy: The Two Kapoor Families
The two Kapoor families have been an integral part of Bollywood for almost a century, and they have contributed immensely to the growth and evolution of Indian cinema. They have given us some of the most memorable films, characters, songs, and performances that have entertained generations of audiences. They have also inspired many aspiring actors and filmmakers to pursue their dreams.
The two families have also been known for their passion, dedication, professionalism, and humility. They have faced many challenges and hardships, but they have always bounced back with grace and resilience. They have also been generous and charitable, and they have supported many social causes and initiatives.
The two families have also been blessed with talented and successful descendants, who are carrying forward their legacy with pride and honour. Some of them are Arjun Kapoor, Janhvi Kapoor, Khushi Kapoor, Harshvardhan Kapoor, Rhea Kapoor, Aadar Jain, Armaan Jain, etc.
The two families are indeed the first families of Bollywood, and they are the epitome of excellence and elegance. They are the pride of India, and they are the true stars of cinema.
