Throwback/ Revisiting Prithviraj Kapoor's everlasting legacy for Indian cinema on his 117th birth anniversary

November 3 marks the birth anniversary of the late Prithviraj Kapoor, entering its 117th year today. He has been a pioneer when it comes to his lasting impact on not just a personal but general legacy for Indian cinema. What truly makes his persona all-encompassing is his colourful and holistic life, before and beyond films.

Prithviraj Kapoor: Before and beyond the screen

Prithviraj Kapoor, born on November 3, 1906 to a well-to-do family, resided in undivided Punjab's Lyallpur and Peshawar. Prithviraj Kapoor was foraying into the noble profession of Law before he realised it was not his calling and instinctively switched over to his one true passion - acting, sparked by his active participation in theatre.

Prithviraj Kapoor's legacy and goodwill moves much ahead the realm of cinema, something that can be seen in the still-flourishing film family that continues to live on. Be it holding a jholi for contributions after the conclusion of a performance, dancing in joy on the streets during India's independence, or leading peace vigils in Bombay in the aftermath of independence - Prithviraj Kapoor has lived it all.

The evergreen legacy

Regal roles soon became Prithviraj Kapoor's genre of dominance once the actor burst onto the screen as independent India's bonafide superstar. He is the only actor to have essayed the role of Lord Rama twice. He has also played Raja Dashrath, Arjuna, Karna, Vikramaditya, Harishchandra, Emperors Akbar and Shah Jahan, and Alexander the Great among many other celebrated portrayals. 

Emperor Akbar in Mughal-e-Azam (1960) is in all likelihood one of his most celebrated roles. In the later years of his acting career, the legend opted for somber screenplays - Justice Raghunath in Awaara (1951) and Satyananda in Anand Math (1952) being some examples. 1970 film Heer Ranjha was one of his last memorable performances before he succumbed to his cancer in May of 1972.