MUMBAI: The International India Film Academy (IIFA) and the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) will jointly pay a tribute to the legend of Indian Cinema, Raj Kapoor, on 26 June. This will follow the IIFA celebrations that are being held in Ontario, Canada, from 23 to 25 June.

The tribute will be followed by a retrospective film series called ‘Raj Kapoor and the Golden Age of Indian Cinema’ that will run for six weeks at TIFF’s permanent home, the TIFF Bell Lighthouse.

Unveiling the to-be-paid tribute to the ‘Tramp of India Cinema’, Wizcraft Director Sabbas Joseph said: “Through IIFA, we have tried over the years to bring Indian Cinema to its fans across the world while simultaneously giving Indian films an international platform. It is an honour to have the opportunity to pay tribute to one of the greatest luminaries of Indian Cinema. The retrospective promises to be a brilliant showcase of Raj Kapoor and the magic he brought to the cinema screen.”

Paying glorious tribute to the Showman of Indian Cinema, director J.P. Dutta said: “People called Rajsaab a showman, but he was a person who never showed off; instead, it was his craftsmanship that showed off. He was the man who transcended all barriers to put Indian cinema on the World map. He was more of a filmmaker than an actor.”