Who Is Rajiv Kapoor? Raj Kapoor’s Youngest Son And Actor Who Died In 2021 – News18

Last Updated:December 14, 2024, 13:16 IST

Rajiv Kapoor made his on-screen debut in 1983 with the film Ek Jaan Hain Hum.

Raj Kapoor, the legendary actor and director, is regarded as ‘the Greatest Showman of Indian Cinema’. He captivated audiences with his exceptional performances and filmmaking skills, making him one of the most-loved personalities in Indian showbiz. Following in his footsteps, many of his family members have also become prominent figures in Bollywood, with many making a significant impact in the industry.

While Rishi Kapoor, Randhir Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor, Karisma Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor are among the notable names, Raj Kapoor’s third son, Rajiv Kapoor, who had a brief career in the Hindi film industry, also tried to make it big in the industry. Unfortunately, the luck wasn’t in his favour.

Born in August 1962, Rajiv Kapoor decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and made his on-screen debut opposite Divya Rana with the film Ek Jaan Hain Hum in 1983. However, it was his role in his father’s directorial Ram Teri Ganga Maili that catapulted him to fame. Released in 1985, Rajiv portrayed the role of an obedient son who rebels for love. That year, the romantic drama became a sensation at the box office, becoming the highest-grossing Indian film of the year. This marked a historic achievement for Raj Kapoor.

Despite the massive success of Ram Teri Ganga Maili, Rajiv struggled to maintain a consistent presence in Bollywood. He acted in films like Lover Boy (1985), Preeti (1986), Zalzala (1988) and Hum To Chale Pardes (1988), but they failed to replicate the success of his earlier hit. The actor’s penultimate film appearance turned out to be the 1990 film Zimmedaaar, after which he took up direction and production.

Rajiv Kapoor made his directorial debut with Prem Granth, featuring his brother Rishi Kapoor and actress Madhuri Dixit. The 1996 film, which was an adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s English novel Tess of the d’Urbervilles, was a box office failure. After this, he turned to television, producing Doordarshan’s serial Vansh. Three years later, Rajiv worked with his elder brother, Rishi Kapoor, on the film Aa Ab Laut Chalen. This was the final film of his career in showbiz.

Speaking of his personal life, the actor-producer got married to Aarti Sabharwal in 2001, but their marriage ended in divorce two years later.

Raj Kapoor’s third son and the youngest brother of Rishi Kapoor and Randhir Kapoor, took his final breath on February 9, 2021, at the age of 58. Rajiv Kapoor was at his brother’s place when he had a massive heart attack. A year after his death, the sports drama Toolsidas Junior, starring Sanjay Dutt, Rajiv Kapoor and Dalip Tahil, was released. The 2022 film marked the posthumous and final film appearance of Rajiv Kapoor.