On the anniversary of Raj Kapoor’s death, let’s remember how his heroines weren’t just romantic interests of the leading heroes.
Raj Kapoor, the legendary actor, film director and producer, is considered one of the most influential actors and filmmakers of Indian cinema, and is often referred to as The Greatest Showman of Indian Cinema. On his death anniversary on June 2, let’s not only remember the showman for his timeless films and cinematic grandeur, but also for the progressive understanding of women in his films. At a time when Hindi film heroines were considered to be moral gatekeepers, Kapoor carved out female characters who were far ahead of their time.
His heroines weren’t just romantic interests of the leading heroes, but were challengers of norms. Be it the fiery village girl Radha in Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai (1960), or the resilient Roopa in Prem Rog (1982), he made sure to give his leading ladies depth, and moral complexity. Even decades later when Indian cinema has been battling on how to write strong women, Kapoor crafted them in the 1950s and ’60s.
Out of all of his muses, Nargis was the original, not just because of their chemistry but because of the agency she brought to his female protagonists. In Awaara (1951), the actress played a lawyer at a time when few actresses played any part beyond the domestic sphere. In Shree 420 (1955), she played a character that held the part with quiet strength.
While he never shied away from social issues, he also did not shield his heroines. In Prem Rog, he highlighted the issue of widow remarriage, placing Padmini Kolhapure at the center of the story. In Satyam Shivam Sundaram (1978), he dealt with the idea of physical beauty versus spiritual love, and ended up casting Zeenat Aman in her memorable part. To say the least, he gave his heroines freedom to desire, and to lead.
At a time when women in mainstream cinema were mostly virtuous, his female characters had both flaws and vulnerabilities. They weren’t perfect at all, and it was a progressive move from a male filmmaker during the golden era of Hindi cinema. Over the years, his female representation in Indian cinema has deserved renewed recognition, and now writers are carving out roles for women who are stronger than his heroes, more morally complex.
As we mark his death anniversary, let’s remember how Raj Kapoor was a visionary who reimagined its women.
