Bollywood fraternity lost an iconic actor of the industry Rishi Kapoor who has an immense passion for Indian Cinema. The stalwart passed away in Mumbai in a private hospital at the age of 67 after two years long battle with cancer.
The actor had started his filmography in an early age as a child in Mera Naam Joker. The young Rishi Kapoor was first introduced in his father, Raj Kapoor’s film in 1970. His debut performance won the award in Best Child Artist category in national film award. The actor debuts his first romantic flick with Dimple Kapadia in the film Bobby in 1973 and won a Film fare award for this movie in the Best Actor category. Rishi Kapoor was on the pick of his romantic movie career from the year 1973 to 2000. The actor made 93 romantic lead in these years.
Throughout his film career, Rishi Kapoor has delivered many golden movies to the audience of India. His journey in Bollywood cinema can be described in three phases. First, the early age when he first stepped in to this entertainment industry from the Kapoor fraternity. In the middle, Rishi Kapoor’s charisma dominated the Indian films specifically in the genre of romance. Finally, at his matured phase the actor kept the audience wondering by performing more unique and challenging roles by breaking the foray of romantic genre.
Here are some of the most memorable movies of Rishi Kapoor that he left behind for the fans and his following for many generations to come.
Mera Naam Joker: 1970
This is the keeper of the adolescent Rishi Kapoor. The teenage character played by the actor developed a fondness for a female teacher and started to stalk her secretly. Eventually Raju (Rishi Kapoor) realized that one does not get everything in life. This movie gave him the recognition he needed as a child artist in the national award category.
Bobby: 1973
Bobby is a musical presentation of a romantic story which was released in 1973 under Raj Kapoor’s directorial. It was the top grossing film in the same year. This movie was an overseas hit on that year in Soviet Union and got 62.6 million viewers back then. Rishi Kapoor’s performance in this film won him a film fare award in the Best Actor Category. Bobby was trend setter film in the history of Indian cinema.
Khel Khel Mein: 1975
Rishi Kapoor shared the screen with his beloved wife Neetu Singh several times like this suspense thriller movie, Khel Khel Mein. Not only the movie became an all time hit, but also the music of this film reached the list of the best songs form the Indian Cinema.
Songs like Ek Main Aur Ek tu and Khullam Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karenge Hum Dono were composed by R. D. Burman and penned by Gulshan Bawra for this film. The charming chemistry between Neetu Singh and Rishi Kapoor in this film is undeniable across different generations.
Amar Akbar Anthony: 1977
It is one of the iconic films in the history of Indian cinema which was released in 1977 under Manmohan Desai’s directorial. This movie has a one of a kind cast in it. Rishi Kapoor shared the screen space with Amitabh Bachchan, Neetu Singh, Shabana Azmi and Parveen Babi in the film. Needless to say, the cast, plot, direction in Amar Akbar Anthony should not be missed.
Karz: 1980
Karz was a reincarnation thriller flick and very much appreciated by the audience for the twist and turns in the story of this film. Karz was directed by Subhas Ghai in 1980, Rishi Kapoor and Tina Munim were in lead. The music of the movie was designed by the legend duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal. Dard E Dil and Om Shanti Om were two popular songs from Karz.
“Yeh Vaada Raha,” is film based on Danielle Steel’s novel and adopted from an American film. Rishi Kapoor shares the screen with Poonam Dhillon, Shammi Kapoor, Rakhee Gulzar in this film.
Saagar: 1985
A drama-based film, Sagaar was directed by Ramesh Sippy. Rishi Kapoor, Dimple Kapadia and Kamal Hasan are featured in this romantic drama flick. This film was a comeback for Dimple Kapadia who was Rishi Kapoor’s first heroine in the movie Bobby. This film was also India’s first entry into the Oscars.
The musical drama Hum Kisise Kum Nahi was released in 1977 which one of the box offices hit back then. The story has unique, plot line of romance and thriller which earned many praises by the audience of 70’s.
Love Aaj Kal: 2009
Rishi Kapoor started to play roles in movies which are critical acclaim. In 2009, Rishi Kapoor acted in Love Aaj Kal in a very different character than his earlier movie roles.
Agneepath: 2012
Agneepath was a pathbreaking film in Rishi Kapoor’s filmography. No one can imagine to beat that cruel avatar of Rauf Lala. It is one of the powerful characters in Indian cinema played by Rishi Kapoor.
Mulk: 2018
Mulk was another critically acclaimed film which was released in 2018, directed by Anubhav Sinha. The story is based on Muslim Family and their struggle to earned their honor that got lost because of one of their family member got involved in terrorism. This movie won several awards in different category at the 68th film fare award.
Do Dooni Chaar: 2010
Do Dooni Chaar is a family comedy drama directed by Habib Faisal, featuring Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh. The story is based on a middle-class family story where the husband tries to keep his children and wife happy through regular hustle-bustle of his life. The chemistry between Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh is once again reintroduced though this film.
Kapoor and Sons: 2016
Rishi Kapoor plays a 90 years old character, Amarjeet in “Kapoor and Sons.” The last wish of Amarjeet is in the film to have a family photograph with a tag, Kapoor and Sons since 1921. But the wish was hard to fulfill . As the whole family was going through their own turmoils. In the end, Amarjeet’s wish is carried out as the whole family comes together, in-spite of their personal problems with each other and the different situations in their lives. It is another milestone that Rishi Kapoor achieved as an actor.
D-Day: 2013
Rishi Kapoor played an elusive gangster in D- Day which set another milestone in Hindi cinema. The story of a Pakistani Gangster portrayed by Rishi Kapoor is a holy grail of lethal acting by Kapoor. Audience can really feel the ruthless and mean avatar of a criminal in the film done by Rishi Kapoor.
108 Not Out: 2018
A comedy drama 108 Not Out has featured two legend actors of Bollywood Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor in it. The film is directed by Umesh Shukla. 108 not out is a sweet and sour story of a father and a son where the father is in his 102 and son is in 76 years old. The father is much younger in heart where the son has believed that he is old enough to enjoy anything jovial in his age. The constant trying of a father to make his son realize that the true meaning of life is to enjoy the fullest as long as one can live, is the epic of this exceptional flick.
Rishi Kapoor was a gem of the Bollywood industry. His love and dedication towards Indian cinema are impeccable. Since a very young age he was involved with his father Raj Kapoor and went on to give the Hindi film cinema memorable movies. Many generations grew up watching him. The Hindi film industry will surely miss this jewel forever.