Raj Kapoor's 100th birth anniversary: All you need to know about the grand centenary celebrations

Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt were seen arriving together, followed by other prominent family members such as Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Neetu Kapoor, and Karisma Kapoor.

The Kapoor family is preparing to celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of the legendary Raj Kapoor with grandeur. To mark this significant milestone, members of the Kapoor clan have made a special trip to the national capital to invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi to join the celebrations. Videos circulating online show the Kapoor family members at the airport, dressed in traditional ethnic attire, as they boarded their flight to Delhi.

Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt were seen arriving together, followed by other prominent family members such as Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Neetu Kapoor, and Karisma Kapoor.

Raj Kapoor Film Festival

In honour of Raj Kapoor’s centenary, RK Films, in collaboration with the Film Heritage Foundation and NFDC-National Film Archive of India, has organised a series of special screenings of Raj Kapoor’s iconic movies. Titled Raj Kapoor 100 – Celebrating the Centenary of the Greatest Showman, the screenings will take place across PVR-Inox and Cinepolis theaters in 40 cities and 135 venues throughout India from December 13 to December 15.

At the 55th International Film Festival of India in Goa, Ranbir Kapoor spoke about his grandfather's enduring legacy and the family's plans to pay tribute through the Raj Kapoor Film Festival. "We are going to organise the Raj Kapoor Film Festival from December 13 to December 15 all over India. I hope you guys come as well. I remember the first time I met Alia, she asked me ‘Who’s Kishore Kumar?’ It’s just a circle of life, people are forgotten. It’s important we remember our roots," he said.

Kareena Kapoor Khan's tribute

Kareena Kapoor Khan also took to Instagram to pay tribute to her late grandfather. She wrote, “His legacy lives on. We are so proud to celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of my grandfather, India’s Greatest Showman, Raj Kapoor. Join us from Dec 13-15, 2024, on a nostalgic journey through his most iconic films, screening in 40 cities and 135 cinemas."

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Raj Kapoor's legacy

Raj Kapoor is remembered for his timeless contributions to Indian cinema, with iconic films like Awaara, Sangam, Shree 420, and Mera Naam Joker. His illustrious career earned him accolades such as the Dadasaheb Phalke Award and the Padma Bhushan. Kapoor’s films also gained international recognition on global platforms.

To celebrate his 100th birth anniversary, the upcoming festival will showcase some of his best-known films, including Barsaat, Shree 420, Awaara, Jagte Raho, Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai, Mera Naam Joker, Bobby, and Ram Teri Ganga Maili.