Hindi News

Theatrical Reboot Of Awaara In The Works

Raj Kapoor’s 1951 classic Awaara is set for a theatrical reboot, according to an agreement signed between India and China. The film was a huge success in China, and its song Awaara Hoon and Kapoor became widely known across the nation.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

The agreement between the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and China Shanghai International Arts Festival (CSIAF) called for cultural performances in India and China during 2017 and 2018.
Awaara  is a 1951 Hindi film directed and produced by Raj Kapoor. Kapoor also plays the male lead in the project. The music was composed by Shankar-Jaikishan. Kapoor’s real-life father Prithviraj Kapoor stars as his on-screen father Judge Raghunath. Kapoor’s youngest real-life brother Shashi Kapoor plays the younger version of his character. Prithiviraj’s father Dewan Bashwanath Kapoor also played a cameo role in his only film appearance.

The film centers on the intertwining lives of a poor Raj (Kapoor) and a privileged Rita (Nargis). In the film, Kapoor’s poor, innocent “little tramp” character references Charlie Chaplin and was further developed in other Kapoor films such as Shri 420.

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The film became an overnight sensation in South Asia and found success abroad in the Soviet Union, East Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. In particular, the song “Awaara Hoon” (I am a Tramp), sung by Mukesh with lyrics by Shailendra, became hugely popular across the Indian subcontinent, as well as in the Soviet Union, China, Turkey, Afghanistan, and Romania. The film was also nominated for the Grand Prize of the Cannes Film Festival in 1953.

Owing to its popularity in so many countries, the film is a candidate for the most successful film of all time. In 2012, Awaara was included in the 20 new entries to All-Time 100 Greatest Films by TIME.