Aag (1948) was a Hindi musical drama film produced, directed by, and starring Raj Kapoor. This film marked the 23 year- old Kapoor's debut as both a producer and director, as well as the first release under his R.K. Films banner. He also began his illustrious journey behind the camera. The movie featured a strong supporting cast, including Nargis, Premnath, Nigar Sultana, and Kamini Kaushal. Raj Kapoor's youngest brother, Shashi Kapoor, made his film debut as a child artist, portraying the younger version of the lead character, Kewal. This film also marked the beginning of the iconic pairing of Raj Kapoor and Nargis, who went on to appear together in more than a dozen films, sparking widespread media speculation about their off-screen relationship. Though Nargis appeared almost 80 minutes into the film, her on-screen chemistry with Kapoor created an instant magic. The story centres on Kewal, a man deeply passionate about theater, who is in search of the perfect leading lady for his play. The narrative, told through flashbacks, draws inspiration from Orson Wells' Citizen Kane in terms of its structure. It begins as Kewal, newly married, ascends the stairs to present himself to his eagerly awaiting bride, played by Nigar Sultana. Although Aag did not achieve major commercial success and performed modestly at the box office, it garnered positive reviews from critics. As a director, Raj Kapoor achieved his first major hit with Barsaat the following year, in 1949. The film's music, composed and conducted by Ram Ganguly, was another highlight. Popular songs like Dekh Chand Ki Or, Dil Toot Gaya Ji, Kahe Koyal Shor Machaye Re, and Raat Ko Ji Chamke Tare resonated with audiences, but it was the song Zinda Hoon Iss Tarah that particularly stood out and remains beloved today. For his subsequent film Barsaat, Kapoor collaborated with the legendary music duo Shankar–Jaikishan, whose compositions became a defining feature of R.K. Films.