Bollywood’s Kapoor family tree – how Prithviraj, Raj, Rishi, Karisma, Kareena and Ranbir Kapoor have kept the ‘First Family of Indian Cinema’ on screens for more than 90 years

For almost a century, the Kapoor surname has resonated with millions of Bollywood cinema-goers. That’s because the clan, who are fondly known as the “First Family of Indian Cinema”, has made a family business out of show business. While many of its members have thrived as actors, directors, producers and even studio bigwigs, there are a few names that will forever go down in Bollywood history.

Prithviraj Kapoor

The dynasty’s roots stretch all the way back to 1928 when patriarch Prithviraj Kapoor made his screen debut as an extra in the silent film, Do Dhari Talwar. After developing his acting chops, he nabbed a supporting role in the country’s first talking film, Alam Ara in 1931. His filmography spanned more than 40 movies, and in 1944 he founded the Prithvi Theatres, his own theatre company. Among his accolades is the coveted Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest honour in Indian cinema.

Raj Kapoor

Raj Kapoor has arguably gained the most success out of Prithviraj’s three sons, all of whom became actors. After his first big role in a film, he followed in his father’s footsteps and established RK Films. It was throughout the 1950s and 60s that he enjoyed a prolific career, not just as an actor at his studio, but as producer and director as well. Dubbed the “Clark Gable of India”, his most famous roles were in films Barsaat and Jagte Raho, to name just two.

Rishi Kapoor

Raj Kapoor’s youngest son, Rishi, appeared in his father’s films as a child, but it was at the age of 20 that he landed a breakthrough role in Bobby, which his father had directed. For the next couple of decades, he dominated the film industry as an in-demand leading man with a speciality in making audiences swoon. As he aged, he gracefully transitioned to supporting roles, with a filmography boasting over 100 titles. Unfortunately, he passed away in April 2019 after a two-year battle with cancer.

Karisma and Kareena Kapoor

Leading the fourth generation of Kapoors, Karisma was the first female member of the clan to enter acting. She had found her niche in the 1990s and early 2000s and it was with the film Raja Hindustani that she earned critical acclaim and even brought home a Filmfare Award for best actress. Her younger sister, Kareena, entered the industry a decade after through a war film entitled Refugee. The granddaughters of Raj Kapoor remain active in the industry and are among this generation’s most well-known names.

Ranbir Kapoor