The Kapoor Haveli in Peshawar: A Forgotten Ancestral Gem Set to Become a Museum

Hidden deep in the heart of Peshawar’s old quarters lies a structure that holds nearly a century of cinematic history—the Kapoor Haveli. Once echoing with laughter, theatre rehearsals, and childhood games, this 40-room mansion is now fragile and silent. But efforts are underway to give it a new identity: a museum honoring one of Bollywood’s most influential families.

The Roots of a Film Dynasty

Few families have shaped Indian cinema like the Kapoors. With almost a century of presence in films, spanning four generations, they are often described as the first family of Bollywood. While audiences across India know them as icons of Mumbai’s silver screen, few realize their roots trace back to Peshawar, Pakistan.

The haveli was commissioned between 1918 and 1922 by Dewan Basheswarnath Kapoor, grandfather of Raj Kapoor. His son, Prithviraj Kapoor, who would later pioneer Hindi theatre and film, grew up here. It was also the birthplace of Raj Kapoor, the legendary “Showman” of Indian cinema. Two of his younger siblings were born in the same house, though they tragically passed away in 1931. Prithviraj’s younger brother, Trilok Kapoor, also first saw the world here, while Shammi and Shashi Kapoor were born later in India but remained tied to the Peshawar residence through frequent visits.

Abandonment After Partition

The Partition of 1947 changed everything. Like many families, the Kapoors left behind their ancestral home as they resettled in India. The haveli, once full of life, was left vacant, its halls stripped of the vibrancy they once carried.

In 1968, the property was auctioned to a local businessman from Charsadda under settlement rules, and later sold to a Peshawar resident. The last known owner revealed his father had purchased the house in the mid-1980s. Over the years, the haveli served more as a community venue—hosting weddings and personal events—than as a family home.

But with time, even these uses dwindled. Former mayor Abdul Hakim noted that for over a decade the building had stood almost completely abandoned. Earthquake damage forced the demolition of its top three storeys, and as the city commercialized, its owners even considered tearing it down to build a modern complex.

The Architecture That Refused to Fade

Despite its delicate state, the haveli still retains traces of its grandeur. Once counted among the finest houses in Peshawar, it was designed with 40 rooms, tall ceilings, and wide courtyards. Its front façade carried intricate floral carvings and ornamental jharokhas, reminders of a time when architecture was as much art as shelter.

Today, though weathered, the building continues to capture the imagination of locals and visitors alike. For many in Peshawar, it is more than a landmark—it is a vessel of memory.

Childhood Memories Preserved in Stories

In 2003, a journalist exploring the area uncovered touching recollections from elderly residents. A bedridden shoemaker, Abdul Wahid, fondly remembered playing with a young Raj Kapoor and sipping cold drinks from a nearby shop. Another neighbor, Kailashwati, recalled how the family affectionately called her “Laal Chunni” and remembered Prithviraj Kapoor’s early obsession with theatre. A 90-year-old resident, Mohammad Yaqoob, spoke of Raj Kapoor as his childhood buddy, proof that even legends once lived ordinary, playful lives.

These stories breathe humanity into the old haveli, making it not just a monument of stone but a living archive of friendship, passion, and community.

The Tug of War Over Its Future

Recognizing its cultural importance, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government declared the Kapoor Haveli a protected heritage site in 2016. In 2023, formal steps were initiated to acquire the property, with plans to restore it and transform it into a

museum. Notices were sent to the owners regarding compensation, but resistance remained strong.

While the owners argued that the haveli was unsafe and could serve better as a commercial site, heritage experts pushed back, emphasizing that its demolition would erase an irreplaceable link to South Asia’s shared past.

IMGC Global Entertainment later partnered with the provincial government to develop the museum project, signaling a new chapter for the crumbling house. Though the legal tussle slowed progress, the broader vision remained—to immortalize the Kapoor family and preserve the building as a cultural landmark.

Why the Haveli Still Matters

The Kapoor Haveli is more than just ancestral property. It represents:

• The origins of Bollywood’s first family, whose work defined Hindi cinema for nearly a century.

• Architectural heritage, showcasing Peshawar’s early 20th-century artistry.

• A bridge across borders, reminding India and Pakistan of their intertwined histories.

• A cultural tourism opportunity, with potential to draw film lovers and history enthusiasts from across the globe.

A Legacy Awaiting Revival

The Kapoor Haveli has stood for over a hundred years, surviving earthquakes, neglect, and even attempts at demolition. Now, it waits to be reborn as a museum—a place where visitors can walk through history, experience the roots of cinema, and honor the family that helped shape Bollywood as we know it.

If restored, this haveli would not just be a monument to the Kapoors, but a symbol of how stories, culture, and art can outlive politics and geography. From its 40 rooms once filled with laughter to its now-silent walls, the Kapoor Haveli reminds us that some houses are not just homes—they are chapters of history written in stone.