Mumbai, April 5 – In the latest episode of the singing reality show, Indian Idol, Bollywood star Karisma Kapoor shared some unknown facts about her late great-grandfather and Bollywood icon, Prithviraj Kapoor.
Following a soulful performance by contestant Jyotirmayee Naik, who sang the timeless Hindi classic, 'Pyar Kiya to Darna Kya' from the iconic 1959 film 'Mughal-E-Azam,' starring Prithviraj Kapoor, Karisma was visibly moved.
Reflecting on Prithviraj Kapoor's journey, she said, "I don't know if many people know that Prithviraj ji was also a law student. He was so passionate about acting that he moved to Mumbai, which was then called Bombay."
She added, "He faced many challenges, but eventually found success. Prithviraj Kapoor was part of India's first talkie film, Alam Ara, and after a long time, India's first colour-graded film was Mughal-E-Azam."
Praising Jyotirmayee's performance, Karisma added, "Thank you so much, you have beautifully rendered it today."
For those unfamiliar, Prithviraj Kapoor is considered one of the founding figures of Hindi cinema and also gave birth to the renowned Kapoor family in Bollywood.
He was the father of Raj Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor, and Shashi Kapoor. His legacy has been carried forward by his grandchildren, Randhir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Rajiv Kapoor, and great-grandchildren, Karisma Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, and Ranbir Kapoor.
Prithviraj Kapoor's role as Emperor Akbar in the film Mughal-E-Azam is considered one of the finest performances in the history of Bollywood.
The late legendary was also honored during the episode by host Aditya Narayan, who said, "They say there are many stars in the sky, but only one moon, and the Kapoor legacy is that of Prithviraj Kapoor."
He added, "If it weren't for Prithvi Raj Kapoor, this Kapoor legacy wouldn't have existed. There wouldn't have been many superstars, RK Studios, Prithvi Theatre, and this film industry wouldn't have existed. Prithvraj entered the industry as a background actor, and he made the industry extraordinary. Whether the first talkie film, Alam Ara, became the voice of Hindi cinema, or the industry's biggest classic, Mughal-E-Azam, became the masterclass of acting, Prithviraj ji showed at every turn why the Hindi film industry calls him Papaji."
