Four generations of superstars. And the fifth generation is but a few years away from making its mark in showbiz. There’s no family like the Kapoor family. Prithviraj Kapoor laid its foundation and Raj Kapoor was the man who catapulted the family’s success through the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. His siblings Shammi Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor did more. Raj Kapoor’s sons Rishi Kapoor and Randhir Kapoor ruled the roost till the ’80s. Come ’90s Randhir’s daughters Karisma and Kareena took the world of movies by storm. Ranbir Kapoor has now stamped his authority over the realm of superstars. A new breed, starting with Rima Jain’s son Armaan is trying to break through.

The Kapoor khandaan has been prominent movies for almost nine decades. It’s their aura that’s defined the Indian film industry’s status as one big happy family. Their family ties extend to other prominent film families. Big names like Premnath, Amitabh Bachchan, Ramesh Sippy and Saif Ali Khan are connected to the Kapoors thanks to matrimonial alliances. Prithviraj Kapoor relocated to Mumbai from Peshawar (now in Pakistan) in the ’20s. In the early ’40s he founded the theatre company Prithvi, while in the late ’40s his son Raj Kapoor established the RK Studio brand. The Kapoors, truly are the first family of Indian cinema. Here’s a full count of five fantastic generations:

Geeta Bali (1930 - January 21, 1965) was born in pre-partition Punjab as Harkirtan Kaur, a Sikh. Her family moved to Bombay and were living in near poverty when she started to get breaks in films. 

She became a star in the 1950s. In 1955 she married Shammi Kapoor who was 2 years younger than her but not yet a star. She had also worked earlier with her future brother-in-law Raj Kapoor in "Bavre Nain" and with her future father-in-law Prithviraj Kapoor in "Anand Math". Her secretary was Surinder Kapoor, father of producer Boney Kapoor and actor Anil Kapoor. She had two children with Shammi, before she died on January 21, 1965 of small pox. She left behind a son Aditya aged 8 and a daughter Kanchan aged 3.

Kapoor is considered to be the best brand name in Bollywood as they have been serving this industry for generations from Prithviraj Kapoor to Raj Kapoor to Shammi, Shashi, Randhir, Rishi, Rajiv to Karishma and Kareena Kapoor. If the history is unfolded, there comes Dewan Basheswarnath Kapoor (Prithviraj’s father), a retired Sub Inspector of Police in Peshawar (now in Pakistan), who also did a cameo role in his grandson Raj Kapoor’s film, Awara and thus the Kapoors have to date five generations involved in Indian film industry. Of the Kapoor’s family, the first to join films was Prithviraj Kapoor who had been so much passionate about acting since childhood. He always wanted to be an actor but never uttered a word about this reality in front of his family members, as no one was in this business in entire family. But finally he broke the ice and entered the film world and vanquished the flags of his skills in this art.

Raj Kapoor married Krishna, sister of actors Premnath and Rajendranath. They married in 1946. They had five children, three sons and two daughters. Krishnaji was Prithviraj’s cousin, so she was also Raj’s aunt in addition to being his wife. Raj Kapoor became the central figure of the Kapoor legacy after Prithviraj. Under his RK Studio banner and under his tutelage, his brothers and his children established the showbiz dominance of their family.

Sonia Singh, now known as Neetu Singh, started her career as a child artiste (Baby Neetu/Sonia) in Bollywood movies (Pavitra Paapi, Waaris &c), and went on to become a full-fledged Bollywood movie actress, with a reputation of having her mom accompany her to almost all shoots. She married her co-star, Rishi Kapoor, and in keeping with the Kapoor Clan's rules for women, has not acted in any movie since then.

Rajendra Nath is an actor of Bollywood who mostly did comic roles. His sister Krishna was married to the great showman of Bollywood Raj Kapoor. In 1949, he shifted to Mumbai. By that time his brother Premnath was an established actor of film industry. He was a good friend of Raj Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor. Rajendra Nath then got a break with a small comic role in I.S.Johar's Hum Sab Chor Hain(1956), with Shammi Kapoor and Nalini Jaywant. Premnath Malhotra took up the name Prem Nath after his arrival in Bombay to work as a Hindi film actor. Prem Nath's first Bollywood film 'Ajit' which was released in the year 1948 was also one of the first color films made in the Hindi film industry. It was in the year 1949 that Prem Nath tasted success with appearances in films like 'Aag' and 'Barsaat'.Prem Nath won Filmfare award nominations in the category of best supporting actor for his excellent performance in films 'Shor', 'Bobby', 'Amir Garib' and 'Roti Kapda Aur Makaan'

Prithviraj Kapoor (3 November 1906 – 29 May 1972) was a pioneer of Indian theatre and of the Hindi film industry, who started his career as an actor in the silent era of Hindi cinema, associated with IPTA as one of its founding members and who founded the Prithvi Theatres, a travelling theatre company based in Mumbai, in 1944.

The eldest of Prithviraj’s children, Raj Kapoor dropped out of school and spent five years learning the trade of films and theatre. He joined Prithvi Theatre in 1944. Even though he debuted with Neel Kamal in 1947, he first made a mark under the RK banner with Aag. His second film Barsaat established his name as a producer/director/actor par excellence.

Rishi Kapoor debuted in his father's 1970 film Mera Naam Joker, playing his father's role as a child. Rishi Kapoor had his first lead role opposite Dimple Kapadia in the popular 1973 film Bobby which became an instant hit among youngsters. He made a popular pairing with future wife Neetu Singh in 1974-1981 but the pair was successful only in multi-star cast films as films with Rishi as main lead like Zehreela Insaan,Zinda Dil,Doosara Aadmi, Anjane Mein, Jhoota Kahin Ka, Dhan Daulat were box office flops.Rishi Neetu pair was successful in multi star films like Khel Khel Mein, Kabhie Kabhie, Amar Akbar Anthony,Pati Patni Aur Woh, Duniya Meri Jeb Mein.The only solo hit of the Rishi Neetu was Rafoo Chakkar. Rishi Kapoor got 51 films as the solo lead hero from 1974-1997 but of them 40 were box -office flops and managed only 11 hits - which were Bobby, Laila Majnu,Rafoo Chakkar, Sargam, Karz, Prem Rog, Nagina, Honeymoon, Banjaran, Heena and Bol Radha Bol.So he was offered the role of playing younger brother to lead heroes in multi star-cast movies from 1977-1994.Rishi Kapoor did 41 multi star cast films from 1976-2000 where Rishi was casted as 2nd or 3rd lead hero and of them 16 were flops and 25 were hits. He was often offered the role of playing younger brother to main lead heroes in the multi hero films he did where his character would be a romantic one and the story would revolve on the main lead hero of the film.In 90's his 2 hero films Deewana,Damini and Eena Meena Dika were a success. He got the plum lead hero roles in two-hero films only few times like in Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin, Badalte Roshtey, Aap Ke Deewane, Saagar then in 90's with Chandni, Deewana(1992), Damini(1993) and Gurudev (1994); otherwise in the 2 hero films Rishi did in late 70's and through-out 80's, it was his other co-star whose character over-shadowed his and the other co-star was appreciated more like in case of Katilon Ke Kaatil, Coolie, Sitamgar, Zamana. After several box office failures from in 1990s, he eventually moved on to supporting roles in the 2000s. In 1999 he directed the film Aa Ab Laut Chalen.His last film as a romantic lead was the 5 year delayed release Karobaar: The Business of Love (2000)which was unsuccessful. He has since then played supporting roles in films like Yeh Hai Jalwa, Hum Tum, Fanaa, Namaste London, Love Aaj Kal and Patiala House. He also appeared in the British films Don't Stop Dreaming and Sambar Salsa. He was paired with Neetu Singh in the film Do Dooni Chaar (2010). Rishi has acted in the movie Chintu Ji in which he plays himself.In 2012 he appeared in a villainous role in Agneepath and in the multi-starer Housefull 2 where he appeared with brother Randhir for the first time

Shammi got married in 1955 to a famous film heroine, Geeta Bali. In 1965, his wife expired. Geeta gave birth to two children named Aditya Raj (son) and Kanchan (daughter). In 1969, he again married Neila Devi. Among his famous films are: Tesri Manzil, Tum Sa Nahin Dekha, Baramchari and Pagla Kahin Ka. He acted in a number of films and gave appearances on T.V plays too.

Shashi Kapoor, the third son of Prithviraj Kapoor, was born on 18 March 1938 in Calcutta. Shashi emerged on silver screen as a talented actor. He gave numerous hits being a romantic face hero. He got married to a German lady who gave him a son and a daughter. In the film, Junoon, both the husband and wife worked together. And the film broke records. The other hits Shashi gave are Kala Pathar, Churangi Lane 36 and Deewar. Shashi worked in a number of other films too.