Rich tributes paid to Prithvi Raj Kapoor at IFFI 2006

Panaji, Nov 24 (UNI) The 37th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) paid rich tributes to late actor, producer and founder of Prithvi Theatre, Prithvi Raj Kapoor, here today.

Prithvi Raj Kapoor's youngest son Shashi Kapoor, who was the chief guest at the opening ceremony at the IFFI yesterday, was present on the occasion today.

The tributes function was followed by a presentation of K Asif's Mughal-e-Azam.

While speaking on the occasion, Shashi Kapoor thanked the Directorate of Film Festival (DFF) for recognising the contributions of his father in the field of art and culture.

Prithvi Raj Kapoor, the doyen of Indian stage and cinema, began his career during the silent era and performed in nine silent movies. He had the distinction of being part of Ardeshir Irani's ''Alam Ara'', the first talkie in 1931.

Prithvi Raj Kapoor had worked with New Theatre, Calcutta, and Ranjit Studio in Mumbai before establishing his own Prithvi Theatre.

All his films were box office successes and they included ''Vidya Pathi'', ''Pagal'', ''Milap'', ''Manzil'', ''Sapera'', ''Sikander'', ''Ujala'', ''Vikramaditya'', ''Devdas'', ''Dahej'', ''Awara'', ''Anandmath'', ''Mughal-e-Azam'', ''Rustom Sohrab'' and ''Kal Aaj Aur kal''.

Among the plays under the Prithvi Theatre banner were ''Pathan'', ''Diwar'', ''Ahuti'' and ''Kalakar''.

He was born in Peshawar on November 3, 1906, and the Prithvi Theatre in Mumbai had celebrated his birth centenary at the Prithvi Festival.

Prithvi Raj Kapoor was a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha for eight years. He was also a fellow of the Sangeet Natak Akademi.

Prithvi Raj Kapoor was conferred the Padma Bhushan in 1969. He died of throat cancer in 1972.

UNI MR MAZ KR RAI2337