Awara (1951)
Watch Classic Hindi Movie Awaara (1951) directed and produced by Raj Kapoor, Starring Raj Kapoor in title Role, Nargis, Prithviraj Kapoor, Cuckoo, Leela chitnis, Helen, Shashi Kapoor, Prem Nath. Music was composed by the team of Shankar Jaikishan. Kapoor’s real-life father Prithviraj Kapoor stars as his on-screen father Judge Raghunath. Kapoor’s youngest real-life brother Shashi Kapoor plays the younger version of his character. Prithiviraj’s father Dewan Bashwanath Kapoor also played a cameo role in his only film appearance.
The film centers on the intertwining lives of poor Raj (Kapoor) and privileged Rita (Nargis). In the film, Kapoor’s poor, innocent “little tramp” character references Charlie Chaplin and was further developed in other Kapoor films such as Shri 420.
The film became an overnight sensation in South Asia, and found success abroad in the Soviet Union, East Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. In particular, the song “Awara Hoon” (I am a Tramp), sung by Mukesh with lyrics by Shailendra, became hugely popular across the Indian subcontinent, as well as in the Soviet Union, China,Turkey, Afghanistan, and Romania. The film was also nominated for the Grand Prize of the Cannes Film Festival in 1953. Owing to its popularity in so many countries, the film is a candidate for most successful film of all time. In 2012, Awaara was included in the 20 new entries to All-Time 100 greatest films by TIME.
