Page 6 - Seniorstoday November 2022 Issue

Cover Story

Prithviraj Kapoor

The legend lives on

A very fine and versatile actor on both stage and screen, blessed with Greek-god
looks, superlative talent, a futuristic vision and a heart of pure gold, Prithviraj
Kapoor remains one of the most-loved founders of Indian cinema, writes Deepa
Gahlot

As the lamp is lit to mark the inauguration taking socially relevant plays to the people.
of the Prithvi Theatre Festival on November It was his dream to have a permanent home
3, it also commemorates the birth for his Prithvi Theatres. Five years after
anniversary of Prithviraj Kapoor, after his demise, with Shashi Kapoor’s effort
whom the iconic theatre is named. and Jennifer Kapoor’s gentle guidance,
Prithviraj Kapoor or Papaji as he was Prithvi Theatre came into existence and
affectionately called, not just founded a helped initiate and nourish a Hindi theatre
film dynasty (to which a great number of movement in Mumbai.
film industry people are linked by blood or The story of that eventful life began in
marriage, and a new member has just been Peshawar in 1906, and the seeds of an
added, as great grandson Ranbir Kapoor acting career sown by a professor of
and his wife Alia Bhatt become parents), he dramatics at Edwards College, who spotted
dedicated the best years of his life to theatre. talent, and cast the young Prithviraj in
Along with working in films to fund his his plays. By the time he was 17, he was
productions, for 16 years, his touring married as was the custom in those days,
repertory company Prithvi Theatres and by the time he mustered up the courage
covered the length and breadth of India, to defy his father-- who thought actors

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