Son of Dewan Basheswarnath Kapoor. Father of Raj Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor. Grandfather of Randhir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Rajiv Kapoor, Karan Kapoor, Kunal Kapoor and Sanjana Kapoor. Great-grandfather of Karisma Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor

Considered the most handsome Indian actor of Pre-Independence India and the founder of India's first film family, the Kapoors.

Born in Peshawar in a middle-class landlord family. His father was a police officer. He enrolled at Edward College, Peshawar after finishing his schooling at Lyallpur and Lahore. He was married at 18 and did a year of law after graduation but interrupted his law studies to pursue his dreams of acting.

Was posthumously awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his contribution to Indian Cinema.

In 1944, he invested in and set up Prithvi Theatre. He was the first to use the concept of modern, professional urban theater in Hindustani. In over 16 years of its existence under Prithviraj Kapoor, the theater did some 2,662 shows, with Prithviraj starring as the lead actor in every single show.

Acted in India's first ever talkie Alam Ara (1931), although not in the lead role, which was given instead to Master Vithal.