Presents
Raj Kapoor at the Gene Siskel Film Cente

During the fortnight long retrospective, a total of seven films viz. 'Aawara' (The Vagabond), 'Barsaat'(Rain), 'Shree 420' (Mr. 420),'Jagte Raho' (Stay Awake), 'Jis Desh mein Ganga behti hai' (The Country where the river Ganges flows), 'Mera Naam Joker' (My name is Joker) and 'Bobby'  with English sub-titles will be screened. New Delhi.
For the first time in the US, The Gene Siskel Film Center and the Consulate General of India, Chicago will be organising a retrospective on, arguably the most popular and respected Indian film director and actor, late Raj Kapoor at the Gene Siskel Film Center from Saturday, Aug. 18-Aug. 27, 2000 with the cooperation of the Directorate of Film Festivals and External Publicity Division of Ministry of External Affairs.



             Raj Kapoor, son of Prithviraj Kapoor, the most famous theatre personality of India of his time, has been hailed as a great genius of the film industry of India. He learnt his craft on the floors of film studios, and directed his first film "Aag" "The Fire" when he was barely 23! Through his trilogy, "Aawara", "Shree 420" and "Jagte Raho" he exposed the seamy side: injustice, malpractices and unfairness prevailing in the society. But he also conveyed hope of better days through the character "Raju" which he portrayed so movingly in his early films.

            Raj Kapoor's films always carried a social message which was accompanied by lilting music, catchy tunes, hummable songs and natural performances. His film "Aawara" became a household name in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, China, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland and the Middle East when it was released in the mid 50s. His "Jagte Raho" was awarded the Grand Prix at the Karlovy Vary film festival in 1958. 

            Raj Kapoor was more than a director and an actor. He was an institution! He brought together a group of highly talented  script writers, song writers, musicians, photographer, technician and others. He and Nargis, who featured with him in many films, are still considered the most romantic and successful film pair of the Bollywood of all times.  

  In his film "Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai" he underlined the need of bringing the dreaded dacoits back into the society by persuading them to lay down arms. "Mera Naam Joker" is a touching story of the trials and tribulations of a joker who strives to make others laugh all the time, even when he is going through some of the saddest and most painful personal experiences.

                      "Bobby" was an infectious, tender love story which caught the imagination of the Indian teenagers in mid 70's and catapulted Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia into stardom and made them a national craze.

            Raj Kapoor's films are remembered for socially relevant themes, brilliant performances, specially by the female artists, an inimitable style of film direction which  brings out various shades of emotions and sentiments of his characters leaving an imprint on the minds of the filmgoers which linger on for days. He is also considered the greatest showman India has produced. 

            Sometimes, branded as the "Charlie Chaplin of India", his character Raju portrays tragi-comedy of the life of the man on the street who does not lose hope and optimism in spite of all odds. The famous song of the film "Aawara" "Gardish main bhi asman ka tara hun - Aawara hun" "while it's dark all around - I am the shining star in the sky - I am the vagabond!" - has been translated into 16 languages.  

            Through his technicolor  films: “Sangam”, “Bobby” and “Ram Teri Ganga Maili” were blockbusters, he will always be remembered for his trilogy of “Aawara”, “Shree 420” and “Jagte Raho” which reflected the hopes and aspirations of newly independent India.  

Schedule:

Title

Screening Dates

The Vagabond(Aawara) 1951, 
Raj Kapoor, 193 min.

Friday, August 18, 7.45 pm
Thursday, August 24, 7.00 pm

Rain(Barsaat) 1949,
 Raj Kapoor, 171 min

Saturday, August 19, 2.00 pm

Mr. 420 (Shree 420) 1955, 
Raj Kapoor, 169 min

Sunday, August 20, 1.00 pm

Stay Awake! (Jagte Raho) 1957,
 Shambhu Mitra and Amit Mitra, ca. 
180 min            

Friday, August 25, 8.00 pm

My Name is Joker 
(Mera Naam Joker)1970, 
Raj Kapoor, India, 250 min.

Saturday, August 26, 1.00 pm

 

Bobby 1973, Raj Kapoor, India, 
168 min

Saturday, August 27, 1.00 pm

The country where the river Ganges Flows
(Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai) 1960, Radhu Karmakar, India, 167 min.

Thursday, August 31, 7.00 pm

 The Retrospective is sponsored by: Gene Siskel Film Center, Consulate General of India, Polo Builders, Air India, Directorate of Film Festivals, X.P. Div., MEA, N. Delhi. 

The Gene Siskel Film Center is located at 280 South Columbus Drive, Chicago, IL

Tickets can be purchased at the Box  

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