Raj Kapoor at 100: Tiwari calls him ‘cinematic conscience of generation’

Launching a year-long national tribute to cinematic icon Raj Kapoor, a centenary celebration held at the India International Centre on Monday evolved into a profoundly emotional and intellectual homage.

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Organised by Respect India, the event titled ‘Shabdanjali: Raj Kapoor’ — The Idea of Showmanship was more than a commemoration — it was a recognition of Kapoor as a moral and cultural force who helped shape the imagination of modern India.

“Raj Kapoor didn’t just make movies; he inspired sweet rebellions,” said Dr Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), echoing the nostalgia and reverence that defined the evening. “If you haven’t sneaked into a theatre or ‘borrowed’ a few paisas for a ticket, you haven’t truly lived the magic of cinema.”

The event was chaired by former Sikkim Governor B P Singh, with Member of Parliament Manoj Tiwari serving as the chief guest. Padma awardee Dr Yash Gulati and veteran actor Mukesh Tyagi were among the guests of honour. The keynote address was delivered by Nirupama Kotru, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Culture.

Dr Joshi described Kapoor’s early films as an ethical compass for post-Independence India, highlighting cinematic milestones such as Aag, Barsaat and Awaara, all created within three years of Independence. “He was a moral mirror to a young and evolving India,” he said.

Kotru emphasised the global and societal reach of Kapoor’s films, noting that his narratives resonated with audiences across continents. “Dacoits in India began surrendering in the 1970s, moved by the redemptive journeys portrayed in his films,” she said, recalling an African patient who once referred to India as “Raj Kapoor’s India.”

Manoj Tiwari described Kapoor as “the cinematic conscience of a generation”, The centenary celebrations will continue throughout 2025, with retrospectives, lectures and cultural events planned across India and abroad. As Dr Joshi summed up, “Raj Kapoor was not just a filmmaker. He was India’s emotional autobiography—written on celluloid.”