If you’ve ever sat through a Bollywood movie, you’ve basically seen a Kapoor. It’s unavoidable. But when people talk about the "First Family of Indian Cinema," they’re usually pinpointing one man as the sun that the whole system orbits around: Raj Kapoor.
Honestly, trying to map out the family tree of Raj Kapoor feels like trying to solve a 1,000-piece puzzle where every piece is a superstar. It’s not just a list of names; it’s a century-long relay race. We’re currently in 2026, and the torch is still burning bright with the youngest generation, but the roots go way deeper than most fans realize.
The Genesis: Before the Showman
Before Raj was the "Greatest Showman," there was Prithviraj Kapoor. He’s the patriarch. Imagine moving from Peshawar to Mumbai in the late 1920s with nothing but a massive amount of talent and a dream to act. That’s him.
Prithviraj was the one who founded Prithvi Theatre. He had three sons—Raj, Shammi, and Shashi—and they all became icons in their own right. But Raj was the eldest, born in 1924, and he’s the one who really institutionalized the family name by starting RK Films.
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Wait, here’s a fun bit of trivia: Raj Kapoor’s father, Prithviraj, actually had his own father, Basheshwarnath Kapoor, play a small role in the 1951 film Awaara. That means the Kapoor family was already four generations deep into acting while most dynasties were just getting started.
The Core: Raj and Krishna’s Five Children
Raj Kapoor married Krishna Malhotra in 1946. She was actually a distant relative—his father's first cousin, which was a pretty standard arrangement back then. Together, they had five kids. This is the "Main Branch" that most people think of when they look for the family tree of Raj Kapoor.
The Three Sons
- Randhir Kapoor: The eldest. He gave us hits like Kal Aaj Aur Kal (which literally featured three generations of Kapoors in one movie). He married actress Babita, and while they lived apart for decades, they recently reunited, which was a huge deal for the family.
- Rishi Kapoor: Probably the most beloved of the three. He was the romantic hero of the 70s and 80s and then reinvented himself as a powerhouse character actor before he passed away in 2020. He married Neetu Singh, creating one of Bollywood’s most iconic power couples.
- Rajiv Kapoor: Often called "Chimpu," he’s best known for Ram Teri Ganga Maili. He mostly stayed behind the scenes later in life and sadly passed away in 2021.
The Two Daughters
- Ritu Nanda: She didn’t go into acting but became a massive success in the insurance world. She married industrialist Rajan Nanda. Her son, Nikhil Nanda, is a big deal in the corporate world and is married to Shweta Bachchan (yes, Amitabh Bachchan’s daughter).
- Rima Jain: Married to investment banker Manoj Jain. Her sons, Armaan and Aadar, have both tried their hand at acting.
The Superstars of Today: The Fourth and Fifth Generations
This is where the family tree of Raj Kapoor gets really famous for the Gen-Z and Millennial crowd.
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Randhir and Babita had two daughters: Karisma Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor Khan. You’ve got to understand how big of a deal this was—historically, the Kapoor women didn't really act. Karisma broke that "rule" in the 90s and became a massive star. Then Kareena followed, married Saif Ali Khan (who is basically royalty), and now their kids, Taimur and Jeh, are internet sensations before they can even do long division.
Then there’s Ranbir Kapoor, son of Rishi and Neetu. He’s arguably the finest actor of his generation. He married Alia Bhatt—another Bollywood heavyweight—and they have a daughter named Raha.
The Blue-Eyed Legacy
There’s this famous story that Raj Kapoor was obsessed with blue eyes. He allegedly told Babita he’d only visit the hospital when Karisma was born if she had blue eyes. She did. Fast forward to today, and fans are obsessed with the fact that Raha Kapoor and Taimur have inherited those same striking light eyes. It’s like a genetic stamp of the Kapoor brand.
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The Branches You Didn't Know Were Connected
The Kapoor tree is basically a forest. Did you know that Anil Kapoor, Boney Kapoor, and Sanjay Kapoor are actually related to Raj?
Their father, Surinder Kapoor, was a cousin of Prithviraj Kapoor. So while they aren’t "RK Kapoors," they are part of the broader clan. This means Sonam Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, and Janhvi Kapoor are all distant cousins of Ranbir and Kareena.
Why This Matters in 2026
You’d think after 100 years, people would be tired of one family. But the Kapoor family tree keeps growing because they actually deliver. Whether it’s Ranbir’s transformative roles or Kareena’s longevity, they’ve managed to stay relevant while other film dynasties have faded.
Key Actionable Takeaways for Fans & Researchers:
- Track the crossovers: If you want to see the family's history on screen, watch Kal Aaj Aur Kal (1971). It features Prithviraj, Raj, and Randhir all together.
- Look for the non-actors: Don't ignore the Nanda and Jain branches. They are the link between Bollywood and India’s biggest business houses.
- Follow the next gen: Keep an eye on Agastya Nanda (Raj Kapoor’s great-grandson) and Raha Kapoor. The legacy is far from over.
The family tree of Raj Kapoor isn't just about fame; it’s a masterclass in how to manage a legacy through a century of change. They’ve survived scandals, box office duds, and the rise of streaming, yet they remain the "First Family" for a reason.