Randhir Kapoor – “Najayaz’s are born out of love … real sons out of duty.” – Birthday special

Kapoor was born on 15 February 1947 in Karunakaran Maternity home, Matunga, Mumbai, Maharashtra to Punjabi parents. His family moved from Peshawar and Samundri (now in Pakistan) to Bombay, before the partition of India, for acting careers. He belongs to the famous Kapoor family who has been part of the Hindi film industry since the late 1920s. He is the eldest son of actor and filmmaker Raj Kapoor and his wife Krishna Kapoor. He has two brothers, actors Rishi and Rajiv, and two sisters, Rima and businesswoman Ritu.

After working as a child in Shree 420 (1955) and Do Ustad (1956), Kapoor made his acting and direction debut with a leading role in the family drama Kal Aaj Aur Kal (1971), a box office success. Subsequently, Kapoor’s starring roles in the dramas Jeet (1972), Hamrahi (1974) and the romantic comedies Jawani Diwani (1972), Lafange (1975), Ponga Pandit (1975), Bhala Manus (1976) and the multi-starters such as Raampur Ka Lakshman (1972), Haath Ki Safai (1974), Heeralal Pannalal (1978), Chor Ke Ghar Chor (1978), Aakhri Daku (1978), Dhongee (1979), Biwi O Biwi (1981) and Humse Na Jeeta Koi (1981) established him as a leading actor of Hindi cinema.

Kapoor’s career declined when the musicals romances Harjaee (1981) and Jaane Jaan (1983) became flops, and when his films Khazana and Nikkama (both 1987) got delayed in production. His career failed to propel forward after 1985, after which he quit acting for over a decade. However, the Kapoor-directed blockbuster romantic drama Henna (1991), proved to be the most commercially successful film of the decade — earning him a Filmfare Award for Best Best Director nomination and was chosen as the Indian submission to the Oscar.

Ups and Downs –

Randhir married actress Babita, the daughter of actor Hari Shivdasani, on 6 November 1971 when he was just 24 after co-starring with her in Kal Aaj Aur Kal, as the couple fell in love during the shooting of this film. Their two daughters, Karishma Kapoor, born in June 1974, and Kareena Kapoor, born in September 1980, are Indian film actresses.

The couple separated in 1988 as differences arose between the couple as Randhir’s acting career slumped after 1983 and Babita wanted her daughter Karishma to be an actress. Babita left Randhir with her daughters. Although against his daughters becoming involved in acting, he eventually came around the idea and is supportive of their careers. The two reconciled in October 2007, having never divorced but lived separately for 19 years.