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    Prithvi Raj Kapoor, the doyen of the Indian stage and screen began his film career during the days of silent movies. After acting in nine silent movies, he had the distinction of acting in Ardeshir Irani’s `Alam Ara,’ the first Indian talkie in 1931. He worked with the New Theatres, Calcutta; Ranjit Studios, Bombay and then started his own Prithvi Theatres. Almost all films of Prithvi Raj were box-office hits, and they include `Vidya Pathi,’ `Pagal,’ `Milap,’ `Manzil,’ `Sapera,’ `Sikandar,’ `Ujala,’ `Vikramaditya,’ `Devdas,’ `Dahej,’ `Awaara,’ `Anand Math,’ `Mughal-E-Azam,’ `Rustom Sohrab’ and `Kal Aaj Aur Kal.’ Among the plays he staged under the auspices of Prithvi Theatres were `Pathan,’ `Deewar,’ `Ahooti’ and `Kalakar.’ Prithvi Raj was a nominated member of Rajya Sabha for eight years. He was a Fellow of the Sangeet Natak Akademi. Prithvi Raj was awarded Padma Bhushan by the President in 1969.

    Born at Peshawar on November 3, 1906, Prithvi Raj was educated in Sammundari, Distt. Layalpura and Peshawar. He died of throat cancer.

• Mughaleazam