Raj Kapoor's ancestral home and cultural legacy in Peshawar
Peshawar, the historic city in northwest Pakistan, was the ancestral homeland of Raj Kapoor, the legendary actor and filmmaker from India. Though Raj Kapoor was born in India, his family roots stretched back to Peshawar, where his grandfather and father were born.
Raj Kapoor's paternal grandfather, Dewan Basheshwarnath Kapoor, was a police officer in Peshawar during the British Raj. His father, Prithviraj Kapoor, a pioneering actor in Indian cinema, was born in Peshawar in 1906. Though Prithviraj later relocated to India, he would often reminisce about his childhood and youth spent in the bazaars of Peshawar.
The Kapoor family haveli was situated in the lively Qissa Khwani Bazaar neighborhood of old Peshawar. This historical market district with its narrow alleys was central to the daily life, culture, and commerce of Peshawar. Though the Kapoor haveli does not stand today, its legacy endures as an integral part of Kapoor family history.
Raj Kapoor and his siblings would visit Peshawar from India as young children. For Raj Kapoor, these early memories of Peshawar—its sounds, smells, flavors, and colors—left an indelible impact on his personality. Peshawar was the homeland of his ancestors, and visiting it felt like a homecoming.
During his visits, Raj Kapoor deepened his friendship with fellow actor Dilip Kumar, who was his childhood friend from Peshawar. Their shared Peshawari heritage and passion for cricket cemented their lifelong bond even as they found success in India's film world.
When Raj Kapoor's films were released in Peshawar, they received overwhelming love from the local Muslim populace. Songs from his films, such as 'Awara Hoon' and 'Mera Joota Hai Japani', became widely popular. Raj Kapoor's legendary showman persona won him many fans in Peshawar. For decades, his films would be household names in Peshawar's cinema halls and homes.
Though the Kapoor family home may no longer exist in Peshawar, the cultural legacy of Raj Kapoor endures. Peshawar remains the place where his paternal ancestors lived for generations. It was the city that profoundly shaped his family's identity and his own artistic imagination. Raj Kapoor's enduring popularity and cultural impact in Peshawar are a testament to the city's rich linkage to Indian cinema's history.
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