Radhu Karmakar

Radhu Karmakar Biography

Radhu Karmakar was a noted cinematographer and director of Bollywood known for his long-term association with Raj Kapoor and R. K. Film’s banner. He started off with the classic Awara and their association continued for about 4 decades till the death of Raj Kapoor. The controversial film, Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985) was the last one. Yet Radhu continued his association with R. K Films till his death and Henna was his last venture. Throughout his film journey he has directed one movie too - Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai (1960) starring Raj Kapoor, Padmini and Pran in pivot roles. The movie was produced by Raj Kapoor and was a commercial hit. It also received many prestigious awards including Best Film at Filmfare awards.

Radhu was born in a family of blacksmiths in Dacca. Karmakar started his film career with Bombay talkies, one of the most famous production companies of 1940’s. He worked under the director Nitin Bose for the movies - Kismat ki Dhani (1945) and Milan (1946). Though the movies were not successful his night sequence photography and high contrast lighting earned him attention from film world. His association with Raj Kapoor and his R. K. banners began with Awara in 1951. This trendsetter movie was one of the earliest movies of Raj Kapoor as a producer/actor and was a huge hit across India and abroad. Thus a new dawn of Raj Kapoor- Radhu Karmakar was born and Radhu became a permenant member of raj Kapoor camp.

Together they worked for the movies - Shree 420 (1955), Sangam (1964), Sapnon Ka Saudagar (1968), Mera Naam Joker (1970), Bobby (1973), Satyam Shivam Sundaram (1978), Prem Rog (1982) and Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985) which lasted for 4 decades. Henna, directed by Raj Kapoor’s son Randhir Kapoor was his last film with the association. After that R. K. Films wound up and Radhu too, died two years later. His last release was Param Vir Chakra which received National Award – Special Jury mention posthumously. Love story, Dhoop Chhaon, Be –imaan, Jagte Raho, Dance dance and Adventures of Tarzan are other noted works. He has also choreographed a few film songs.

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Updated: August 05, 2014