Raj Kapoor, the "Showman of Bollywood," a title he earned through decades of influential work as an actor, director, and producer in Hindi cinema, experienced a complex personal life that often intertwined with his professional endeavors. Born Ranbir Raj Kapoor on December 14, 1924, in Peshawar, British India (now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan), he was the son of Prithviraj Kapoor, a significant figure in the Indian film industry.
In 1946, at the age of 21, Raj Kapoor married Krishna Malhotra, who was only 16. Krishna was the first cousin of Raj's father. The marriage took place before Raj Kapoor achieved widespread fame, and shortly after their union, he established RK Films, a studio that would become synonymous with classic Indian cinema, producing iconic films like Awaara, Barsaat, and Shree 420. Together, Raj and Krishna had five children: Randhir, Rishi, Rajiv, Ritu, and Rima.
Despite his professional success and familial responsibilities, Raj Kapoor's personal life was riddled with rumors of infidelity. His close relationships with his co-stars, particularly Nargis and Vyjayanthimala, fueled speculation about extramarital affairs. Nargis was his closest collaborator in the early years of RK Films, and their on-screen chemistry translated into off-screen rumors. Similarly, his association with Vyjayanthimala added to the gossip mill. While neither relationship was ever publicly confirmed while Raj Kapoor was alive, his son Rishi Kapoor later acknowledged his father's affairs in his autobiography.
Krishna Kapoor, in her own right, maintained a dignified silence in public, but the strain on their marriage was evident. In Raj Kapoor – The One and Only Showman, a book penned by their daughter Ritu Nanda, Raj Kapoor admitted that he and Krishna were "never on beautiful terms" but had always stayed together. He credited Krishna for their enduring partnership, acknowledging her kindness and tolerance. Krishna confessed to feeling jealous of the attention Raj Kapoor received from fans and actresses, admitting it was "too much for me to handle then". She also acknowledged the "turmoil" in their marriage and the periods of silence between them, later reflecting that she regretted those times.
Despite the challenges, both Raj and Krishna realized they could not live without each other. Raj Kapoor publicly apologized to Krishna for the pain he caused her, attributing it to the emotional demands of his work in show business. He recognized Krishna's role in creating and maintaining their home, stating that "a lesser woman would have deserted me long ago".
Raj Kapoor continued to work in the film industry until his death on June 2, 1988, at the age of 63. Krishna Kapoor passed away in 2018. Their relationship, though complex and unconventional, endured for over four decades, a testament to their commitment amidst the pressures of fame and personal struggles. Their story serves as a reminder of the human frailties and sacrifices that often lie beneath the glittering surface of the entertainment world.
