Raj Kapoor and Nargis.
Raj Kapoor and Nargis are probably the first established pair in bollywood films who had created a significant impact in romantic films in bollywood. Their journey started with Barsaat, in 1949, although Raj Kapoor made an experiment in the film Aag, in 1947.
In Awara, Raj Kapoor played the role of the song of famous Advocate played by Prithviraj Kapoor, who was brought up in slums as his father refused to accept his mother after she was taken away by KN Singh, a famous lawbreaker in the film. Raj Kapoor was compelled to indulge in unlawful activities and he became a thief. Ultimately Nargis pleaded his case in Court of law. Raj Kapoor gave a strong message to the viewers that human beings are the product of the environment in which they are brought up and bad environment can even spoil a person from a good family background. The songs in the film composed by Shankar Jaikishan, like “awara hoon” sung by Mukesh, “ghar aya mera pardesi”, sung by Lata became everlasting hits.
Both of them did very well in the film Shri 420, where Raj Kapoor showed the social degeneration in the early 50s, through his comedy instincts. He had an affair with Nargis, but when he was given good job by Nargis, he entered the business world where the profits were extracted by unlawful means. The songs composed by Shankar Jaikishan, like “mur mur ken a dekh” sung by Manna Dey and Asha Bhosle,” “ramaiya vasta mayia” sung by Rafi, Mukesh, Lata, became very very successful.
Raj Kapoor and Nargis also acted in romantic films like Chori Chori, where the story line is similar to Hollywood film Roman Holiday. Nargis left her house to avoid being married to a person who was chosen by her father. Raj Kapoor, helped her on the way and ultimately reached her safely to her father. Again the music composition of Shankar Jaikishan and songs of Lata and Manna Dey, like “aja sanam”, “yeh raat bheegi bheegi”, played a big role in the success of the film.
Raj Kapoor and Nargis acted in other successful films like Jagte Raho, Aah, etc., and whenever the audience had found both of them in romantic roles, they associated themselves with the characters of the film. Most of their films have classical touch and should be restored and preserved for the new generation.
By: CR Chatterji.
