Raj Kapoor's iconic lantern to be displayed at PM Museum
What's the story
The iconic lantern held by legendary actor Raj Kapoor in the 1960 film Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai has been donated to the Pradhan Mantri Sangrahalaya (PM Museum).
The Kapoor family, which had kept this piece of cinematic history for decades, gifted it to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a meeting marking Kapoor's 100th birth anniversary.
The lantern will be unveiled at an exhibition on Saturday.
Cinematic legacy
Exhibition to highlight Kapoor's influence on Indian cinema
The forthcoming exhibition will immerse visitors in the legacy of Kapoor, one of India's most iconic film personalities.
The Pradhan Mantri Sangrahalaya said the lantern symbolizes Kapoor's immense contribution to cinema and reinforces the connection between India's rich cultural heritage and its contemporary evolution.
The museum further said this artifact is a testament to the lasting influence of the Kapoor family on Indian entertainment.
Cinematic tribute
PM Modi's tribute to Kapoor's contribution to Indian cinema
During the meeting with the Kapoor family last December, PM Modi acknowledged Kapoor's immense contribution to Indian cinema.
He had said the 100th birth anniversary celebrations symbolized "the saga of the golden journey of the Indian film industry."
The PM had also highlighted how Kapoor had established India's soft power globally at a time when the term wasn't even coined, underlining his immense service to India.
Film proposal
PM Modi's suggestion for a film on Kapoor
PM Modi also suggested to the Kapoor family to make a movie about Kapoor, especially for Central Asian audiences.
Hailed as the "Showman of Indian Cinema," Kapoor—the son of Prithviraj Kapoor—carried forward the illustrious Kapoor legacy.
With iconic films like Awaara (1951), Shree 420 (1955), and Mera Naam Joker (1970), he captured the essence of Indian storytelling, blending romance, social themes, and timeless melodies.