By Muskan Mehndiratta
With charming lover boy looks and commanding screen presence, Rishi Kapoor, a member of the illustrious kapoor clan, set hearts aflutter in his first lead role in the blockbuster film ‘Bobby'(1973). He has left behind a rich legacy of cinematic marvels spanning across decades.
Born as Rishi Raj Kapoor in bollywood’s first family, he was the son of thespian actor Raj Kapoor, who was dubbed as the industry’s original ‘showman’. His grandfather Prithviraj Kapoor is counted as one of the pillars of Indian cinema. The status of his father Raj kapoor, is no less high. His uncles Shashi Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor too are considered icons in the film industry. Like most kapoor men, Rishi’s screen life started quite early. He appeared as a toddler in the song ‘Pyar hua iqrar hua hai from “Shree420 (1955). Rishi made his debut as a child artist in his father’s younger self. The film was feted by the critics but was a commercial disaster. The story goes that Raj Kapoor needed a quick hit to tide over the financial loss created by his magnum opus.
He made a teenage romance starring his son Rishi and newbie Dimple Kapadia. Rishi won the Filmfare Best Actor trophy for his performance in Bobby. He won the Filmfare critics ‘Best Actor Award for his performance as a middle-aged father yearning to buy his own car for ‘Do Dooni Chaar'(2011) and won Filmfare Best Supporting Actor trophy for his role in ‘Kapoor and Sons'(2016) as well. He was bestowed with the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008.
After Bobby’s success, Rishi came to be counted as a Saleable star. Filmmakers wanted to cash in on his chocolate boy image and wrote roles especially for him. Hits like Khel Khel Mein(1975), Rafoo Chakkar(1975)– based on Some Like It Hot(1959). Both he and paintal appeared in drag in the film, Hum Kissi Se Kum Naheen(1977) bolstered his image. The young stud was linked to his heriones like Shoma Anand, Ranjeeta and Neetu Singh off-screen too and his playboy image was played upto bolster the ticket sales. He had come close to Neetu Singh during the making of Khel Khel Mein. She became his friend and confidante. The couple tied the knot in 1980. They had one of the most successful bollywood marriages going and were blessed with son Ranbir and daughter Riddhima.
The actor was revelling in author- backed roles which were denied to him earlier. He played Dawood Ibrahim in D-Day(2013) and appeared as Amitabh Bachchan’s 76 year old son in 102 Not Out(2018). Both he and Amitabh were doing a film together after more than 20 years and it was an emotional reunion for them. His performance in Mulk(2018), where he played a Muslim lawyer, to win him accolades.
Rishi kapoor was diagnosed with cancer in 2018 and went to New York City for treatment. After successful treatment for over a year, Rishi Kapoor turned to India in September 2019. He had been unwell many a times since then and was admitted to the Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital in Mumbai on wednesday night. He passed away on thrusday morning.
Rest in peace legend
Gyann Loaded 