Cinemaazi salutes Prithviraj Kapoor on his birth anniversary.

Be it Shahenshah Akbar or Raja Shiva Singha or Alexander the Great, Prithviraj Kapoor's magnetic screen presence and formidable acting chops would allow him to essay any role with ease. Born on this day in 1906 in Samundri Tehsil of Lyallpur, his career is littered with the many milestones of the history of Indian cinema and theatre. From making his debut in the films of Imperial Films Company during the silent era, to playing a supporting role in the first talkie Alam Ara, starring in New Theatres's films during their heydays, forming the legendary travelling theatre group Prithvi Theatres, immortalising the role of Akbar in Mughal-e-Azam (1960) to playing Gurmukh Singh in perhaps the most influential Punjabi film of all time (Nanak Naam Jahaz Hai, 1969), he was there for it all. The patriarch of one of the most influential film dynasties and recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the Padma Bhushan and Dadashaheb Phalke Award, it is safe to call Prithviraj Kapoor one of the most significant figures in the history of Indian cinema. Cinemaazi salutes the legend on his birth anniversary.