Alam Ara at 94: Jaaved Jaaferi recalls Prithviraj Kapoor on IBD
Synopsis
On the sets of India's Best Dancer, a simple trivia question about Bollywood's first dance moment opened a window into nearly a century of screen history — from Prithviraj Kapoor's commanding presence in Alam Ara (1931) to Karisma Kapoor's filmy flair, with Jaaved Jaaferi and Terence Lewis tracing every generation in between.
Key Takeaways
India's Best Dancer judges Jaaved Jaaferi and Terence Lewis discussed Bollywood's dance heritage on 2 June .
Host Haarsh Limbachiyaa identified Alam Ara ( 1931 ) as Hindi cinema's first film to showcase dance.
Jaaved Jaaferi recalled Prithviraj Kapoor 's 'most impressive personality and physique' among the Kapoor dynasty.
Terence Lewis credited Vyjayanthimala , Hema Malini , and Sridevi for elevating Bollywood dance through classical training.
Lewis also noted that Madhuri Dixit brought new vibrancy and Karisma Kapoor added a 'distinctive filmy touch' to screen dance.
The sets of India's Best Dancer (IBD) transformed into a living archive of Bollywood history on 2 June, as judges Jaaved Jaaferi and Terence Lewis, alongside host Haarsh Limbachiyaa, traced the arc of dance in Indian cinema — from Alam Ara, Hindi cinema's first talkie released in 1931, to the present day.
How Alam Ara sparked the conversation
Host Haarsh Limbachiyaa posed the question of which Hindi film first offered audiences a glimpse of dance on the big screen. He answered it himself, noting that it was Alam Ara — starring Prithviraj Kapoor — that carried that distinction. Limbachiyaa drew a striking generational line, observing that Prithviraj Kapoor could hardly have imagined that his great-granddaughter Karisma Kapoor would one day become one of Bollywood's most iconic dance faces.
Jaaved Jaaferi on Prithviraj Kapoor's commanding presence
The mention of Alam Ara prompted judge Jaaved Jaaferi to share a personal recollection of the Kapoor dynasty. 'I remember Prithviraj Kapoor ji, and after that Raj Kapoor ji, Shammi Kapoor ji and Shashi Kapoor ji. All of them had incredible screen presence and personality. Prithviraj Kapoor ji, in particular, had one of the most impressive personalities and physiques,' Jaaferi said. The tribute underscored how the Kapoor family has shaped Indian cinema across multiple generations.
Terence Lewis on classical training and Bollywood dance
Judge Terence Lewis broadened the discussion to highlight the transformative role of classically trained actresses. 'If we talk only about the film industry, then Vyjayanthimala was one of the best. The actresses from the South, whether it was Hema Malini, Sridevi ji or Vyjayanthimala, had incredible technique and training. Thanks to their classical dance training, they took Bollywood dance to a whole new level,' he said.
Lewis added that the evolution continued with later generations: 'Then, when Madhuri Dixit came along, she brought a new vibrancy to it; her expressions were amazing. And Karisma Kapoor added such a distinctive filmy touch to dance.' His remarks placed the IBD conversation within a broader cultural lineage stretching back nearly a century.
The legacy of Alam Ara
Alam Ara, directed by Ardeshir Irani, premiered on 14 March 1931 at the Majestic Cinema in Mumbai, marking the dawn of the sound era in Indian cinema. Prithviraj Kapoor featured as its lead, and the film's seven songs are widely regarded as the earliest recorded instance of song-and-dance in Hindi talkies. The film's cultural weight — nearly 94 years after its release — is evidenced by the fact that it continues to anchor conversations about where Indian screen entertainment began.
As India's Best Dancer prepares to air its upcoming season, the on-set dialogue serves as a reminder that contemporary dance reality television stands on foundations laid by a single film in 1931.
Point of View
Then urbanised by successive generations of the Kapoor family. What is rarely acknowledged is that Alam Ara itself survives only in fragments; much of early Indian cinema was lost to nitrate fires and neglect. The ease with which a reality show can invoke 1931 as a living reference point reflects both the enduring mythology of the Kapoor name and the selective memory of Bollywood's self-narration.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Alam Ara and why is it significant?
Alam Ara, released on 14 March 1931, was the first Hindi sound film (talkie) and featured Prithviraj Kapoor in the lead role. It is considered the origin point of song-and-dance in Hindi cinema, with seven songs marking the earliest recorded instance of music in an Indian talkie.
What did Jaaved Jaaferi say about Prithviraj Kapoor on India's Best Dancer?
Jaaved Jaaferi recalled that Prithviraj Kapoor had 'one of the most impressive personalities and physiques' in Indian cinema. He also paid tribute to the wider Kapoor dynasty — Raj Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor, and Shashi Kapoor — describing all of them as having incredible screen presence.
What was Terence Lewis's take on Bollywood dance history?
Terence Lewis credited classically trained South Indian actresses — Vyjayanthimala, Hema Malini, and Sridevi — with elevating Bollywood dance through rigorous technique. He added that Madhuri Dixit brought new expressiveness and Karisma Kapoor introduced a distinctive filmy style.
How is Karisma Kapoor connected to Alam Ara?
Karisma Kapoor is the great-granddaughter of Prithviraj Kapoor, who starred in Alam Ara in 1931. Host Haarsh Limbachiyaa noted the generational arc on the IBD set, pointing out that Prithviraj could not have foreseen that his great-granddaughter would become one of Bollywood's most recognisable dance icons.
When does the new season of India's Best Dancer air?
An official premiere date for the upcoming season of India's Best Dancer had not been announced as of the on-set discussion on 2 June. The conversation about Alam Ara and Bollywood's dance heritage was recorded during promotional activity for the new season.
