R. K. Films

Last updated

R. K. Films
Company type Private
Industry Bollywood
Founded1948
Founder Raj Kapoor
Headquarters Chembur, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Key people
Karisma Kapoor
Kareena Kapoor
Ranbir Kapoor
Products
Owners
  • Randhir Kapoor
  • Rishi Kapoor
  • Rajiv Kapoor
Parent R. K. Studios LTD

R. K. Films was an Indian film production company based in R. K. Studio, a film studio, both established by and named after the Bollywood actor Raj Kapoor. [1] It was headquartered at Chembur, Mumbai. Founded in 1948, one year after India gained independence. It had a rough start, as its first movie, Aag (1948) did not perform well at the box office. Most of the R. K. Films productions share a common theme of criticising society and depicting love across social divides.

Contents

History

R.K. Film and R. K. Studio entrance, Chembur, Mumbai Chembur r.k. studio2.JPG
R.K. Film and R. K. Studio entrance, Chembur, Mumbai

R. K. Films was formed in 1948 by Raj Kapoor in Chembur. [2]

After the commercial failure of the studio's first venture, Aag (1948), it found success with Barsaat (1949). After this success, the company's logo was designed to imitate the poster of Barsaat. RK Films produced many successful films such as Awaara (1951), Boot Polish , Jagte Raho and Shree 420 . Awaara was particularly successful, not just in India, but all over the world. Many R. K. Films movies featured Kapoor opposite actress Nargis. Kapoor appeared in 15 R. K. films with Nargis and travelled around the world with her to promote the studio's films. The music team of Shankar Jaikishan also worked frequently on R. K. Films productions during this period. [3] Starting with Awaara (1951), Radhu Karmakar shot all of Kapoor's subsequent films for four decades, till his last, Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985). [4]

R. K. Films produced many films in the next few decades, including Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai (1960), Mera Naam Joker (1970), Bobby (1973), Satyam Shivam Sundaram (1978), Prem Rog (1982) and Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985), Kapoor's last film. In the 1970s, Kapoor's eldest son Randhir Kapoor joined his father at the studio, and made his acting and directorial debut with Kal Aaj Aur Kal in 1971, which also starred his future wife Babita, father Raj and grandfather Prithviraj Kapoor. He went on to direct two more films with the company Dharam Karam (1975) and an incomplete film left by Raj, which he completed after his father's death in 1988 and Henna (1991). Raj's brother Shashi Kapoor also appeared in several R. K. films. When Raj died in 1988, Randhir took over the studio. His younger brother Rajiv Kapoor directed Prem Granth in 1996 and Rishi Kapoor directed Aa Ab Laut Chalen (1999). Hereafter, the Kapoors have produced no more films under the R. K. Films banner. [5] Unlike other Bollywood studios of the time period, R.K. Films was able to preserve all the costumes used in its films. [2]

On 16 September 2017, R. K. Studio caught fire and collapsed. A massive fire broke out in the studio during the shoot of a television reality show and the studio was engulfed in fire. The Kapoor family has decided to sell the iconic R. K. Films and Studios, which was built by legendary actor Raj Kapoor nearly 70 years ago, due to growing losses. Located in Chembur, the studio was in the news September 2017, after a major fire broke out, leaving the place gutted. Speaking to Mumbai Mirror, Rishi Kapoor said on behalf of the family: "The investment in rebuilding the studio would just not have yielded sufficient revenue to keep it going. Even before the fire, for years R. K. Studio had become a huge white elephant, toting up losses."

He mentioned that the number of bookings had decreased substantially over the years with producers preferring studios near Goregaon and Andheri. Being part of the Eastern suburbs, Chembur was no longer seen as a lucrative shooting space, like it was back in the 40s and 50s. The Kapoors even considered renovating the whole space with cutting-edge technology; however, the fire last year made their plans to revive the studios even more unrealistic.

The handful of clients using the studios had started demanding free parking space, air-conditioning, and discounts, claims Rishi, which had further added to the losses. A team employed by the family has initiated the negotiations for the sale of the premises.

A poster for film Barsaat, 1949, which also shows the logo of the R.K. Films Barsat.poster.jpg
A poster for film Barsaat, 1949, which also shows the logo of the R.K. Films

The logo of R. K. Films is based on a scene from the film Barsaat , as can be seen in the poster for the movie. [6] [7] The logo was later simplified. Bollywood actor Manoj Kumar has claimed that the logo was designed by Balasaheb Thackeray. [8] It may possibly have been inspired by The Kreutzer Sonata . [9]

R. K. Studio

The studio occupied nearly two acres of land in the Mumbai-suburb of Chembur. The studio's main building was constructed in the early 1950s. Raj Kapoor's cottage was behind this building where he often organized small intimate meetings and functions. The 25th anniversary of R. K. Films was celebrated here. [10]

There was a makeshift museum (once Nargis's dressing & make-up room) was a treasure trove which was lost in the fire. [11] It included posters from Barsaat (1949), Awaara (1951), Aag (1948), Mera Naam Joker (1970) and Bobby (1973). It also had a large black umbrella that protected the couple from the studio rain in the song "Pyar Hua, Ikrar Hua" in Shree 420 (1955), Nargis's long black dress from Awaara , Vyjanthimala's sari(s) from Sangam , Dimple Kapadia's funky frocks from Bobby , Padmini's sari(s) from Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai , the dafali used in Mera Naam Raju (Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai) and even some of the hats Raj Kapoor wore in his films. These were lost in the fire. Rishi Kapoor regarded that as the greatest loss due to the fire. [12]

The sets constructed at the studio included: [13]

Ref - [16]

Festivals at R. K. Studio

Festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi (Ganapati) [17] and Holi [18] were regularly celebrated by the Kapoor family together with their distinguished guests.

Filmography

TitleYearDirectorRef.
Aag 1948Raj Kapoor [19]
Barsaat 1949Raj Kapoor [20]
Awaara 1951Raj Kapoor [21]
Aah 1953Raja Nawhate
Boot Polish 1954Prakash Arora [22]
Shree 420 1955Raj Kapoor [23]
Jagte Raho 1956Shambhu Mitra [24]
Ab Dilli Dur Nahin 1957Amar Kumar [25]
Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai 1960Radhu Karmakar [26]
Sangam 1964Raj Kapoor
Mera Naam Joker 1970Raj Kapoor
Kal Aaj Aur Kal 1971Randhir Kapoor
Bobby 1973Raj Kapoor
Dharam Karam 1975Randhir Kapoor [27]
Satyam Shivam Sundaram 1978Raj Kapoor [28]
Biwi-O-Biwi 1981Rahul Rawail [29]
Prem Rog 1982Raj Kapoor [30]
Ram Teri Ganga Maili 1985Raj Kapoor [31]
Henna 1991Randhir Kapoor [32]
Prem Granth 1996Rajiv Kapoor [33]
Aa Ab Laut Chalen 1999Rishi Kapoor [34]

Awards

YearNominee / workAwardResult
1955 Shree 420 [35] National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi Won
1956 Ek Din Ratre [36] National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Bengali Won
1955 Boot Polish Filmfare Award for Best Film Won
1962 Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai Won
1986 Ram Teri Ganga Maili Won
1983 Prem Rog Nominated

Acquisition

Godrej Properties, part of Godrej group, acquired R.K.Studios Land in 2018. The confirmation was publicly made on 3 May 2019. The company did not disclose the deal value. RK Studios sold to Godrej Properties will be made into a residential complex. [37] [38] [39]

See also

Bibliography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raj Kapoor</span> Indian film actor (1924–1988)

Raj Kapoor, also known as Ranbir Raj Kapoor, was an Indian actor, film director and producer, who worked in Hindi cinema. He is considered one of the greatest and most influential actors and filmmakers in the history of Indian cinema, and has been referred to as The Greatest Showman of Indian Cinema and as the Charlie Chaplin of Indian Cinema.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nargis</span> Indian actress (1929–1981)

Nargis Dutt was an Indian actress and politician who worked in Hindi cinema. Regarded as one of the finest and greatest actresses in the history of Indian cinema, Nargis often portrayed sophisticated and independent women. Her work was in a range of genres, from screwball comedy to literary drama, and earned her various accolades.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rishi Kapoor</span> Indian actor (1952–2020)

Rishi Raj Kapoor was an Indian actor, film director, and producer who worked in Hindi films. Kapoor was the recipient of several accolades, including a National Film Award and four Filmfare Awards, in a career that spanned 50 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shankar–Jaikishan</span> Indian film music composer duo

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<i>Ram Teri Ganga Maili</i> 1985 Indian film directed by Raj Kapoor

Ram Teri Ganga Maili is a 1985 Indian Hindi-language romantic drama film co-written and directed by Raj Kapoor. The film stars Rajiv Kapoor and Mandakini. The music was composed by Ravindra Jain. It was the last film directed by Kapoor.

<i>Awaara</i> 1951 film by Raj Kapoor

Awaara, also written Awāra and known overseas as The Vagabond, is a 1951 Indian Hindi crime drama film, produced and directed by Raj Kapoor, and written by Khwaja Ahmad Abbas. It stars Raj Kapoor along with his real-life father Prithviraj Kapoor, as well as Nargis, Leela Chitnis and K. N. Singh. Other members of the Kapoor family make an appearance, including Raj's youngest brother Shashi Kapoor, who plays the younger version of his character, and Prithiviraj's father Dewan Basheshwarnath Kapoor, playing a cameo in his only film appearance. The film's music was composed by Shankar Jaikishan.

<i>Shree 420</i> 1955 Indian film

Shree 420 is a 1955 Indian Hindi comedy-drama film directed and produced by Raj Kapoor from a story written by Khwaja Ahmad Abbas whose use of Shree with the negative connotations of 420 caused controversy. The film stars Nargis, Nadira, and Kapoor. The number 420 refers to Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code, which prescribes the punishment for the offence of fraud; hence, "Mr. 420" is a derogatory term for a fraud. The film centers on Raj Kapoor, a poor but educated orphan who comes to Bombay with dreams of success. Kapoor's character is influenced by Charlie Chaplin's "little tramp", much like Kapoor's character in his 1951 Awaara. The music was composed by the team of Shankar Jaikishan, and the lyrics were penned by Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri.

<i>Barsaat</i> (1949 film) 1949 Indian film

Barsaat is a 1949 Indian Hindi-language film directed by Raj Kapoor. The film stars the famous duo of Kapoor and Nargis as well as Prem Nath. It was also the introduction of actress Nimmi in her first film role. Barsaat was one of the first major hit films directed by Kapoor. This success allowed Kapoor to buy RK Studios in 1950. This was Raj Kapoor's second directional venture after Aag. Barsaat became the highest-grossing Indian film at the time of its release beating Gyan Mukherjee's Kismet which released 6 years earlier.

<i>Mera Naam Joker</i> 1970 Indian romantic drama film

Mera Naam Joker is a 1970 Indian romantic drama film, directed, edited and produced by Raj Kapoor under his banner R. K. Films, and written by Khwaja Ahmad Abbas. The film stars Raj Kapoor as the eponymous character, with his son Rishi Kapoor making his screen debut playing his younger version, along with Simi Garewal, Kseniya Ryabinkina, Padmini, Manoj Kumar and Dharmendra in supporting roles. The plot focuses on a clown who must make his audience laugh at the cost of his sorrows; three women who shaped his life view his final performance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kapoor family</span> Indian film family

The Kapoor family is a prominent Indian show business family with at least 4 generations of the family over 95 years being active in the Hindi film industry. Numerous members of the family, both biological and those who have married into the family, have had prolific careers as actors, film directors and producers. "The Pioneer" founder of the dynasty was "The Patriarch", Prithviraj Kapoor, who was the first member of family to begin acting in movies with his 1929 debut film Be Dhari Talwar. He was a pioneer of Indian theatre and the founding member of Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA). His son Raj Kapoor was the most influential actor and director in Hindi cinema. The genesis generation or the earliest linear generation of the Kapoor family tree to ever act in the films was Prithviraj Kapoor's father, Basheshwarnath Kapoor, who debuted as actor in 1951 film Awaara, which was produced, directed and starred in lead role by his grandson Raj Kapoor.

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Shailendra was a popular Indian Hindi-Urdu Poet, lyricist and film producer. Noted for his association with the filmmaker Raj Kapoor, singer Mukesh, and the composers Shankar–Jaikishan, he wrote lyrics for several successful Hindi film songs in the 1950s and the 1960s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hasrat Jaipuri</span> Poet from India (1922 - 1999)

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raj Kapoor filmography</span>

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Raja Nawathe; 14 October 1924 – 15 November 2005) was an Indian film producer, director, assistant film director, in Bombay's Hindi film industry, long before it came to be known as Bollywood. He is known for films like Raj Kapoor-Nargis starrer Aah (1953) and thriller Gumnaam (1965).

Radhu Karmakar was a noted Indian cinematographer and director in Hindi cinema from the 1940s to 1990s. He worked extensively with director-actor Raj Kapoor on his films and for his R. K. Studio. Starting with Awaara (1951), he shot all of Kapoor's subsequent films for four decades, till his last, Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985).

Ramayan Tiwari was a Bollywood actor who was more famous by his surname Tiwari. He worked in approximately 125 movies in his 36 year long film career. He has worked in Bollywood movies like Madhumati, Yahudi, Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai, Mera Saaya, Kal Aaj Aur Kal and many more. He was originally from Maner of Patna, Bihar, and was also a freedom fighter. He died on 9 March 1980 in Mumbai. His son's name was Bhushan Tiwari, who too worked in bollywood movies as a character artist.

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G. G. Mayekar was a Bollywood film editor from India who edited many Hindi and Marathi films, notably the famous films Shree 420 (1955), Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai (1960).

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