Ranbir Raj Kapoor, the eldest son of Prithvi Raj Kapoor, started his career in Kidar Sharma's 'Neelkamal' in 1947. But much before that, he had failed his matric examination and joined as an assistant with Kidar Sharma. He even swept and mopped floors and was a clapper boy before he actually became the hero that he was.

Things clicked for Raj Kapoor and in 1948, he directed his first film 'Aag' which had three leading ladies. But that film was not that big a hit and there was a lukewarm response. But it was Mehboob's 'Andaz' with Nargis in 1949 which brought him recognition and fame in the industry. There was no looking back from there on. There came many of his directorial ventures like 'Barsaat' (1949), 'Awara' (1951), 'Shree 420' (1955) and 'Anari' (1959) which paved his powerful acting career. His pairing with Nargis was the most liked one and they kept doing many more films together. His favourite tramp image brought him all the more love and adulation. Some more of his movies are 'Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai' (1961) and 'Mera Naam Joker' (1970). Most of his films like 'Awara' were shown in many foreign countries also and his reputation as an actor reached unprecedented heights. He made films to introduce his sons in the industry. For Randhir Kapoor, it was 'Kal Aaj Aur Kal', for Rishi it was 'Bobby' and Rajiv Kapoor was launched in 'Ram Teri Ganga Maili'. This was the last movie which Raj Kapoor directed. His incomplete film 'Henna' was completed by his son Randhir Kapoor. Despite these, he made many more films like 'Satyam Shivam Sundaram' (1978) starring Shashi Kapoor and Zeenat Aman and also 'Prem Rog' (1982) which had Rishi and Padmini Kolhapure. He was the biggest showman that India had and his films were so good that even today, given a chance, people will throng to see them.