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Randhir Kapoor is a prominent figure in Bollywood and heads RK Studios in Chembur, Bombay, a studio founded by his father, the legendary Raj Kapoor. Between 1971 and 1987, Randhir starred as the lead in 34 films, with 23 becoming box-office hits. From 1971 to 1975, he was the third highest-paid actor, alongside Dharmendra, and ranked fourth from 1976 to 1983. He appeared as the solo lead in 24 films during this period, 15 of which were successful. Among these, Raj Kapoor supported him in two films—Dharam Karam and Kal Aaj Aur Kal—while Shammi Kapoor appeared in Harjaee and Mama Bhanja, and Sanjeev Kumar had a supporting role in Biwi O Biwi. Randhir also acted in 10 multi-star films, 8 of which were hits.
Born in Bombay on February 15, 1947, into a Punjabi-speaking family, Randhir is the eldest son of Raj and Krishna Kapoor. His childhood nickname is Daboo.
As a child, he made a brief 30-second appearance in a song from Shree 420 and later acted as a child artist, credited as 'Master Daboo' in Do Ustad (1959), which starred his father and Madhubala. At 20, in 1968, he assisted director Lekh Tandon on Jhuk Gaya Asmaan.
Randhir's significant Bollywood debut came with Kal Aaj Aur Kal (1971), featuring three generations of the Kapoor family: his grandfather Prithviraj Kapoor, his father Raj Kapoor, and his college sweetheart, Babita—who would later become his wife. Babita, an actress herself, is the daughter of actor Hari Shivdasani and cousin to actress Sadhana Shivdasani. Randhir directed and starred as the lead in the film, which was a hit, followed by three consecutive successes: Jeet, Raampur Ka Lakshman, and Jawani Diwani. In 1973, he starred opposite Neetu Singh in the Hindi remake of MGR's Rickshawkaran, which failed at the box office despite popular music. In 1974, he had two hits, Hamrahi and the two-hero film Haath Ki Safai, while Dil Deewana did not perform well despite its superior music compared to Jawani Diwani. In 1975, his solo films Lafange and Ponga Pandit were successful, but Dafa 302 and Dharam Karam were not. Although Dharam Karam later gained a cult status and is now considered a classic, it initially fell short of expectations from the RK banner. From 1976 to 1981, Randhir delivered solo hits such as Khalifa, Aaj Ka Mahaatma, Bhanwar, Ram Bharose, and Dhongee, along with successful multi-star films including Chacha Bhatija, Mama Bhatija, Heeralal Pannalal, Dhyanu Bhagat (also known as Bhakti Mein Shakti), Kasme Vaade, Chor Ke Ghar Chor, and Biwi O Biwi. However, after the 1981 flop Harjaee, despite his prior successes, film offers dwindled. Randhir believed that with better editing and an improved ending, Harjaee could have been a big hit, given its strong cast and music. A delayed release of Nikkamma, renamed Janejaan in 1983, was unsuccessful. Two-hero films Sawaal and Pukar earned critical praise for Randhir's performances but failed commercially, while Humse Na Jeeta Koi saw moderate success in 1983.
After his acting career declined post-1981, Randhir transitioned to producing. He produced the blockbuster Ram Teri Ganga Maili in 1985 and directed Henna in 1991, starring his younger brother Rishi Kapoor and Pakistani actress Zeba Bakhtiar, which was also a major success. The film led to a visit to Pakistan where he was warmly received by then-President Nawaz Sharif, a fan of the Kapoor family. Randhir also produced PremGranth in 1996 and Aa Ab Laut Chalen in 1999, featuring Rajesh Khanna. He made acting comebacks with Mother (1999), Armaan (2003), and Housefull (2010). Since 2010, he has received numerous offers for supporting roles.
Randhir married his Sindhi-speaking girlfriend Babita in 1971. Their first daughter, Karisma Kapoor, was born on June 25, 1974, followed by their second daughter, Kareena Kapoor, on September 21, 1980. The couple remained happily married until 1987, but after Randhir's career decline in 1983 and Babita's desire for Karisma to pursue acting, tensions arose, leading to their separation in 1988. Both daughters lived with Babita thereafter. Though separated, Randhir and Babita never divorced and continued to care for each other. They reconciled in 2004, especially as both daughters had achieved significant fame.
Randhir arranged Karisma's engagement to Abhishek Bachchan, son of Amitabh Bachchan, but the engagement was called off. Karisma later married Delhi-based Sanjay Kapur in 2003.
In 2007, Randhir appeared on the popular TV show Koffee With Karan alongside his sister Rima, brothers, and sister-in-law Neetu Singh.
He became a grandfather twice: on March 11, 2005, and March 12, 2010, when Karisma gave birth to Samaira and Kiaan, respectively. Kareena Kapoor also debuted as an actress in 2000 and married Saif Ali Khan in 2012.
Randhir continues to lead RK Studios, part of which has been transformed into a museum showcasing memorabilia from his family's cinematic legacy.
