Jackie Shroff honours Prithviraj Kapoor on 54th death anniversary
Synopsis
On the 54th anniversary of his death, Prithviraj Kapoor — the man who appeared in India’s first talkie, founded Bollywood’s most enduring dynasty, and straddled silent film and sound cinema — was remembered by Jackie Shroff with a single black-and-white portrait. The image says more than any reel could.
Key Takeaways
Jackie Shroff paid tribute to Prithviraj Kapoor on his 54th death anniversary on 29 May 2025 .
Shroff shared a black-and-white portrait with the note ‘Prithviraj Kapoor ji always in our hearts.’ Prithviraj Kapoor was born on 3 November 1906 and passed away on 29 May 1972 in Mumbai , reportedly after battling cancer.
He featured in ‘Alam Ara’ (1931) , India’s first-ever talkie film.
His sons Raj Kapoor , Shammi Kapoor , and Shashi Kapoor became legends; the dynasty now spans four generations including Ranbir Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor Khan .
Jackie Shroff on 29 May 2025 paid tribute to legendary actor and theatre pioneer Prithviraj Kapoor on his 54th death anniversary, sharing a black-and-white portrait of the cinema icon on his social media account. The post carried a heartfelt note reading, ‘Prithviraj Kapoor ji always in our hearts,’ alongside folded hands emojis and a mention of Kapoor’s birth and death dates: 3 November 1906 and 29 May 1972.
A Founding Pillar of Indian Cinema
Prithviraj Kapoor is widely regarded as one of the foundational figures of both Indian cinema and theatre. Born on 3 November 1906, he began his acting career during the silent film era before emerging as one of the most influential personalities in Hindi cinema’s formative decades. He reportedly passed away on 29 May 1972 in Mumbai after battling cancer.
Notably, Kapoor featured in ‘Alam Ara’ (1931), India’s first-ever talkie film — a milestone that marked the dawn of sound in Indian cinema. His screen presence spanned decades and genres, with memorable performances in ‘Sikandar’, ‘Vidyapati’, ‘Mughal-E-Azam’, ‘Heer Raanjha’, and ‘Kal Aaj Aur Kal’, among others.
The Kapoor Dynasty He Built
Prithviraj Kapoor’s legacy endures through one of Hindi cinema’s most celebrated family trees. His sons Raj Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor, and Shashi Kapoor each became legendary stars in their own right. The lineage extended further with grandsons including Randhir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Rajiv Kapoor, Karan Kapoor, and Kunal Kapoor, as well as Sanjana Kapoor. The newest generation — Karisma Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Ranbir Kapoor — continues to shape mainstream Bollywood.
Jackie Shroff’s Tribute
The black-and-white portrait shared by Jackie Shroff depicted a young Prithviraj Kapoor dressed in a suit, evoking the elegance of a bygone era. Shroff is widely noted in the industry for consistently acknowledging the anniversaries and milestones of iconic personalities, particularly from the world of entertainment. This tribute is in keeping with that reputation.
As Indian cinema marks another year since Prithviraj Kapoor’s passing, tributes from contemporaries and younger generations alike underscore how deeply his contributions continue to resonate across the industry.
Point of View
From silent films to India’s first talkie to the grandeur of Mughal-E-Azam, is arguably the most complete in Hindi cinema history. The fact that it takes an anniversary post from Jackie Shroff to surface his name in the news cycle points to a broader gap in how Indian cinema documents and celebrates its own origins. Prithviraj Kapoor did not just build a dynasty; he built the industry’s first template for the actor-as-institution.
NationPress
15 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Prithviraj Kapoor?
Prithviraj Kapoor ( 3 November 1906 – 29 May 1972 ) was one of the founding figures of Indian cinema and theatre. He acted in India’s first talkie film ‘Alam Ara’ (1931) and delivered iconic performances in films such as ‘Mughal-E-Azam’ and ‘Sikandar’.
Why is 29 May significant for the Kapoor family?
29 May 1972 is the date Prithviraj Kapoor passed away in Mumbai, reportedly after battling cancer. His 54th death anniversary falls on 29 May 2025 , which prompted tributes including Jackie Shroff’s social media post.
What was ‘Alam Ara’ and what was Prithviraj Kapoor’s role in it?
‘Alam Ara’, released in 1931 , was India’s first-ever talkie film — the first Indian feature with synchronised dialogue and songs. Prithviraj Kapoor was part of the cast, placing him at the very moment Indian cinema transitioned from silence to sound.
Who are Prithviraj Kapoor’s descendants in Bollywood?
His sons Raj Kapoor , Shammi Kapoor , and Shashi Kapoor became major stars. The next generation includes Randhir Kapoor , Rishi Kapoor , and Rajiv Kapoor , followed by Karisma Kapoor , Kareena Kapoor Khan , and Ranbir Kapoor .
Why did Jackie Shroff post a tribute to Prithviraj Kapoor?
Jackie Shroff shared the tribute on 29 May 2025 to mark the 54th death anniversary of Prithviraj Kapoor. Shroff is known in the industry for regularly acknowledging the anniversaries of iconic personalities from Indian entertainment.
