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| Rishi Kapoor (4 September 1952 – 30 April 2020) |
By Fakir Hassen
Veteran Bollywood star Rishi Kapoor has passed away, becoming the second in two days after the death of Irrfan Khan on Wednesday.
Rishi launched the final draft of my very first book, ‘150 Bollywood Encounters’, when he was here as part of the six-week Shared History Festival in September 2010, where he addressed fans at a retrospective of his films at Nu Metro Montecasino.
Here is what I had to say about that in my second book, ‘250 Bollywood Encounters’.
Veteran actor Rishi Kapoor candidly related how he had been a reckless youngster when fame hit him at an early age after his debut opposite Dimple Kapadia in the film Bobby.
Rishi reflected on a range of issues in his career that started with a role as a 15-year-old in Mera Naam Joker, made by his father, celebrated actor, producer and director Raj Kapoor. But it was Bobby that brought him real fame as a leading man.
“Getting that kind of success, money and adulation at 20 catapults you onto a different level altogether. Suddenly I had tons of money – obviously it corrupted my mind. I had become arrogant. I was very abrupt. I was a real bad guy, not because I wanted to be a bad guy, and I was enjoying every moment of it.
“But then suddenly I was under check. I realised that I had to settle down and start working, so that reality check came at the right time.
“Today’s 20-year-old is much more knowledgeable – he knows what happens in the world around him and about the birds and the bees with all the media exposure today.”
Pushed for details of his “bad deeds”, Rishi preferred to keep them secret. He also said his father probably did not know what was happening with him.
“My father never ever interfered in my career and rightly so, perhaps because he did not know what was happening. Similarly, I don’t interfere in (my son) Ranbhir’s career – I’m his father, not his secretary.”
But Rishi also commended his father for his bravery in casting two unknowns in Bobby at a time when the family was in deep financial crisis.
“During Mera Naam Joker we had our studio mortgaged; there was no money to complete the film; we were in dire straits and he chose to take two absolute newcomers for this film. We had the biggest actors of the time who would have given their right hand to work with Raj Kapoor in the film but he was a filmmaker who knew exactly what he wanted. He made a blockbuster and a film that changed the times.”
After starring with Neetu Singh in 11 films, Rishi married her in 1980. But he also introduced 23 other new actresses to the screen and is about to do so for top Turkish actress Meltem Cumbul in the film ‘Tell Me Oh Khud’a being made by veteran actress Hema Malini of ‘Dream Girl’ fame to revive the sagging career of her daughter Esha.
Dharmendra, who had initially opposed his daughter’s entry to films until Hema put her foot down, will star with Esha for the first time in the film and has been waxing lyrical about it.
“25 not out – not bad that even at this age I’m working with new girls,” Rishi joked. But he would not single out a favourite: “All of them have contributed immensely in my career. I’m thankful to all of them, so why should there be any favourites?
“When I entered the industry, it was not possible for me to work with the mainstream heroines like Hema Malini, Rekha, Zeenat Aman or Parveen Shabana, so the only girl was Neetu, sometimes Mousumi Chatterjee or a new girl.”
Rishi also commented on how he reached a stage where he decided to chuck it all up.
“I was fed up with working continuously for 25 years as a hero, defying the age, body and fat factors. I may not have been the biggest star of India, but I was always there and I believe no actor has had this continuous duration – some took a break in between.”
“I was fed up of running around trees chasing girls in Switzerland in ornate sweaters. My wife said to me you are not enjoying your work; you are looking tired and miserable – I think you had better hang up your boots. And that’s what I did – I said I am not going to be working anymore. So I told all my producers and gave back all their money. They were very disappointed, but that was it.
“Then I started working as a character actor in films like Raju Chacha Chacha and Kuch Khatti Kuchh Meethi. Between 2000 and 2010 I have had about 18 films released.”
Veteran Bollywood star Rishi Kapoor has passed away, becoming the second in two days after the death of Irrfan Khan on Wednesday.
Rishi launched the final draft of my very first book, ‘150 Bollywood Encounters’, when he was here as part of the six-week Shared History Festival in September 2010, where he addressed fans at a retrospective of his films at Nu Metro Montecasino.
Here is what I had to say about that in my second book, ‘250 Bollywood Encounters’.
Veteran actor Rishi Kapoor candidly related how he had been a reckless youngster when fame hit him at an early age after his debut opposite Dimple Kapadia in the film Bobby.
Rishi reflected on a range of issues in his career that started with a role as a 15-year-old in Mera Naam Joker, made by his father, celebrated actor, producer and director Raj Kapoor. But it was Bobby that brought him real fame as a leading man.
“Getting that kind of success, money and adulation at 20 catapults you onto a different level altogether. Suddenly I had tons of money – obviously it corrupted my mind. I had become arrogant. I was very abrupt. I was a real bad guy, not because I wanted to be a bad guy, and I was enjoying every moment of it.
“But then suddenly I was under check. I realised that I had to settle down and start working, so that reality check came at the right time.
“Today’s 20-year-old is much more knowledgeable – he knows what happens in the world around him and about the birds and the bees with all the media exposure today.”
Pushed for details of his “bad deeds”, Rishi preferred to keep them secret. He also said his father probably did not know what was happening with him.
“My father never ever interfered in my career and rightly so, perhaps because he did not know what was happening. Similarly, I don’t interfere in (my son) Ranbhir’s career – I’m his father, not his secretary.”
But Rishi also commended his father for his bravery in casting two unknowns in Bobby at a time when the family was in deep financial crisis.
“During Mera Naam Joker we had our studio mortgaged; there was no money to complete the film; we were in dire straits and he chose to take two absolute newcomers for this film. We had the biggest actors of the time who would have given their right hand to work with Raj Kapoor in the film but he was a filmmaker who knew exactly what he wanted. He made a blockbuster and a film that changed the times.”
After starring with Neetu Singh in 11 films, Rishi married her in 1980. But he also introduced 23 other new actresses to the screen and is about to do so for top Turkish actress Meltem Cumbul in the film ‘Tell Me Oh Khud’a being made by veteran actress Hema Malini of ‘Dream Girl’ fame to revive the sagging career of her daughter Esha.
Dharmendra, who had initially opposed his daughter’s entry to films until Hema put her foot down, will star with Esha for the first time in the film and has been waxing lyrical about it.
“25 not out – not bad that even at this age I’m working with new girls,” Rishi joked. But he would not single out a favourite: “All of them have contributed immensely in my career. I’m thankful to all of them, so why should there be any favourites?
“When I entered the industry, it was not possible for me to work with the mainstream heroines like Hema Malini, Rekha, Zeenat Aman or Parveen Shabana, so the only girl was Neetu, sometimes Mousumi Chatterjee or a new girl.”
Rishi also commented on how he reached a stage where he decided to chuck it all up.
“I was fed up with working continuously for 25 years as a hero, defying the age, body and fat factors. I may not have been the biggest star of India, but I was always there and I believe no actor has had this continuous duration – some took a break in between.”
“I was fed up of running around trees chasing girls in Switzerland in ornate sweaters. My wife said to me you are not enjoying your work; you are looking tired and miserable – I think you had better hang up your boots. And that’s what I did – I said I am not going to be working anymore. So I told all my producers and gave back all their money. They were very disappointed, but that was it.
“Then I started working as a character actor in films like Raju Chacha Chacha and Kuch Khatti Kuchh Meethi. Between 2000 and 2010 I have had about 18 films released.”
RIP Rishi, and thanks for launching my path of 20 books as an author.
