Raj Kapoor’s 100th birthday celebrated

PESHAWAR: Cultural enthusiasts gathered at the historic Kapoor Haveli in Peshawar on Saturday to celebrate the 100th birthday of the legendary filmmaker and iconic Bollywood star, Raj Kapoor, at the mansion where he was born.

The event was jointly organized by the Cultural Heritage Council (CHC) and the Directorate of Archaeology Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Raj Kapoor, referred to as the “Greatest Showman of the Indian Cinema,” was born at Kapoor Haveli at Dhaki Munawwar Shah near the famous Qissa Khwani Bazaar in Peshawar.

He is considered one of the most influential figures in the history of Indian cinema. His birthplace in Peshawar links him to the city, making his centenary a significant occasion for both the film industry and his hometown.

The celebration took place at the dilapidated Kapoor House, which is also located near the childhood home of another Indian cinema legend, Muhammad Yusuf Khan (Dilip Kumar), who hailed from a Hindko-speaking Awan family of Peshawar. Dilip Kumar, like Raj Kapoor, dominated Indian cinema for decades, captivating millions with his naturalistic acting. The ancestral home of present top star of Indian film Industry, Shah Rukh Khan, is also sited at Shah Wali Qataal neighbourhood in the proximity of Raj Kapoor’s and Dilip Kumar houses. His first cousins still live there.

The chief guest for the occasion was Muhammad Hussain Haidery, Secretary of the Pak-Iran Trade and Investment Council. The event was also attended by Shakeel Waheedullah, Secretary of the Cultural Heritage Council, and Ibrahim Zia, a noted film historian, and Hindko Academy representatives. Ibrahim Zia, who has extensively studied film legends with roots in Peshawar and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, brought along rare photographs of Raj Kapoor from his childhood and early adolescence in Peshawar.

During the celebration, Ibrahim Zia shared insights into Kapoor’s illustrious career, starting in the 1940s. He highlighted the actor’s versatility in portraying a wide range of roles-from romance and tragedy to comedy-cementing his status as one of India’s greatest cinematic talents.

A special moment of the event was the cutting of a birthday cake, marking Raj Kapoor’s 100th year. The participants also expressed their excitement over the World Bank’s announcement to allocate Rs. 10 million each for the restoration of the ancestral homes of both Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar. Those present on the occasion, called on the government to organize a larger-scale celebration to honour Raj Kapoor’s enduring legacy, emphasizing his significant ties to Pakistan.