When Prithviraj Kapoor, the great-grandfather of Ranbir Kapoor, ventured into films in the early 30s, little did he realize that his grandsons would continue his legacy and make the ‘Kapoor Khandaan’ immortal? True, the Karan Kapoor Khandaan has contributed a lion’s share to the development and success of Bollywood. From the legendary Prithviraj Kapoor to the showman Raj Kapoor, to the lover boy Shammi Kapoor, to the stylish Shashi KKapoor, to the talented Rishi Kapoor, to the recent heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor, the Kapoor Khandaan has indeed been the cornerstone of the Indian film industry! In fact, even the Kapoor daughters, viz., Karisma and KareenaK a Kapoor, havee brought pride tothe Kapoorr clan.
The Weight of Legacy: Karan Kapoor’s Struggle to Shine
However, just as all figures in a hand are notequal,l likewise all the children of Kapoor Khandaan could not hit the bull’s-eye and go into oblivion. The actors who failed to click in the Kapoor Khandaan included Raj Kapoor’s eldest son Randhir Kapoor. Though Raj Kapoor launched Randhir Kapoor under his RK Banner in the film Kal, Aaj Aur Kal (1971), it flopped at the box office and gave a flop start to Randhir Kapoor’s career. Despite a flop start, Randhir Kapoor was able to make his presence known with the hit films Jawani Diwani (1972). However, later as a hero, he gave a string of flops. Finally, he survived as a side-hero in films like Haath Ki Safai (1974), Kasme Vaade, etc.
Raj Kapoor’s youngest son, Rajiv Kapoor, made his debut in the film Ek Jaan Hain Hum (1983). Though the songs of the film were a hit, the film was a disaster at the box office. Hence to review his son’s career, Raj Kapoor launched Rajiv Kapoor in his ambitious film Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985). The film was a super hit, but alas, being heroine oriented, the film did not help Rajeev much. Later with the failure of films like Aasmaan (1984), Lover Boy (1985), Zabardast (1985), and Hum To Chale Pardes (1988), etc., Rajiv Kapoor was forced to abandon his film career.
A Star-Crossed Son: Karan Kapoor’s Bollywood Journey
Like Raj Kapoor, both the sons of Shashi Kapoor, too could not make it big in Bollywood. Karan Kapoor, youngest son of Shashi Kapoor, was dashing and handsome like papa Shashi Kapoor. He won hearts as the Bombay Dyeing Man. He made his debut in Shashi Kapoor’s home production Junoon (1978). Later, despite doing the multi-star cast film Sultanat (1986), he failed to make it big.
Similarly, Shashi Kapoor’s elder son, Kunal Kapoor, who made his debut with hit film Ahista Ahista, Vijeta, and Utsav, could not keep the tradition of the Kapoor Khandaan.
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