Few actors in Hindi cinema have managed to hold sway across generations like Rishi Kapoor. Born into the illustrious Kapoor khandaan, his life was anything but ordinary. From his teenage debut in Bobby to his late-life renaissance in films like Agneepath and Kapoor & Sons, Rishi Kapoor exemplified evolution. He was the chocolate-boy hero of the 1970s and 1980s, who transitioned gracefully into character roles that won both critical and popular acclaim. Behind the on-screen charisma, however, was a man battling inner turmoil, familial expectations, and eventually, a fierce fight with cancer. His journey is one of resilience, reinvention, and reckoning - with himself and the audience.
The Kapoor Legacy and Early Life
Born on September 4, 1952, in Mumbai, Rishi Raj Kapoor was the second son of legendary filmmaker Raj Kapoor and Krishna Raj Kapoor. The Kapoor family is synonymous with Indian cinema. Rishi’s grandfather, Prithviraj Kapoor, was a pioneer of Indian theatre and film. His father, Raj Kapoor, was already an icon by the time Rishi was born. His elder brothers, Randhir and Rajiv, and uncles Shashi and Shammi Kapoor were all acclaimed actors.
Rishi grew up in the famed Kapoor bungalow in Chembur, surrounded by film talk, musical sessions, and sets. But the shadow of being “Raj Kapoor’s son” loomed large. He was an average student at Campion School, Mumbai, and later attended Mayo College in Ajmer for a brief stint.
In his autobiography Khullam Khulla: Rishi Kapoor Uncensored,
he wrote:
“I
knew early on that I was expected to act, that I would be launched in a big
way. But I didn’t want to just ride on my father’s name.”
First Steps into Film: Mera Naam Joker
Rishi’s first screen appearance was at age three in his father’s Shree 420 (1955), where he was seen in the famous song Pyaar Hua Iqraar Hua. But his real acting debut came in Mera Naam Joker (1970), in which he played the teenage version of Raj Kapoor’s character.
Though the film was a commercial failure, Rishi’s short but impactful role won him the National Film Award for Best Child Artist. This planted the seed for what was to come a spectacular debut as a leading man.
Bobby (1973): A Romantic Revolution
At age 20, Rishi Kapoor made his full-fledged debut opposite Dimple Kapadia in Bobby, directed by Raj Kapoor. It wasn’t just a launch vehicle - it was a revolution. With a youthful love story and contemporary music, Bobby became a cultural phenomenon. It launched teenage romance as a viable commercial genre in Bollywood, and Rishi was instantly crowned the new romantic hero.
The film broke records and turned Rishi Kapoor into a national heartthrob. With his mop of hair, innocent smile, and a guitar in hand, he became the dream lover for a generation of Indian women.
Reflecting on Bobby, he once said:
“I
became a star overnight. I was just 20 and didn’t know how to handle the
stardom. Suddenly, I was the face of romance.”
The Reign of Romance: 1970s to 1980s
From Rafoo Chakkar (1975) and Laila Majnu (1976) to Karz (1980), Rishi Kapoor continued to deliver hit after hit. He paired with almost every top heroine of his time - Neetu Singh, Tina Munim, Poonam Dhillon, Sridevi, Jaya Prada, and more. His roles were often musical, romantic, and emotionally driven.
Films like:
· Khel Khel Mein (1975). A college romance-thriller with Neetu Singh, featuring evergreen songs like Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karenge.
· Amar Akbar Anthony (1977). A Manmohan Desai multi-starrer where Rishi played Akbar, the qawwali-singing Muslim brother.
· Karz (1980). A reincarnation thriller with memorable music by Laxmikant-Pyarelal and a haunting performance.
Despite the fluffiness of some scripts, Rishi infused his roles with charm and a sincerity that endeared him to audiences.
Veteran critic Khalid Mohamed observed:
“Rishi Kapoor wasn’t macho or rebellious like Amitabh Bachchan. He was
endearing, dependable, and effortlessly romantic.”
But even as he reigned as a romantic hero, he felt trapped by the typecasting.
Off-Screen Romance: Marriage to Neetu Singh
Rishi’s most celebrated screen pairing was with Neetu Singh. Their on-screen chemistry translated into a real-life romance that culminated in marriage on January 22, 1980. Their relationship wasn’t without challenges - Rishi was temperamental, and Neetu had to adjust to the demands of being a Kapoor bahu at a young age.
Together, they had two children - Riddhima Kapoor Sahni and Ranbir Kapoor, the latter going on to become a top star himself.
Neetu once shared in an
interview:
“He was possessive and short-tempered, but he also had a soft, romantic
side. Over time, we grew together and found peace.”
Their marriage stood the test of time, lasting through Rishi’s volatile years and mellowing phase.
The Middle Years: Changing Winds
By the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Hindi film landscape was changing. New heroes like Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, and Salman Khan were emerging. Rishi’s brand of romance began to feel dated.
He attempted to reinvent himself with films like:
·
Henna (1991). A cross-border love story conceived by Raj
Kapoor and completed by Randhir and Rishi after Raj’s death.
·
Damini (1993). He
played a supportive husband to Meenakshi Seshadri in this powerful legal drama
that was dominated by Sunny Deol’s courtroom theatrics.
Despite fading lead roles, Rishi remained active. He also directed one film - Aa Ab Laut Chalen (1999) - starring Rajesh Khanna and Akshaye Khanna, though it didn’t fare well at the box office.
The Second Coming: Character Actor Par Excellence
The 2000s marked a remarkable phase of reinvention. No longer the lover boy, Rishi embraced character roles - comic, villainous, and tragic - with surprising ease.
Some of his standout performances included:
· Love Aaj Kal (2009). As the older version of Saif Ali Khan’s character, offering wisdom with a hint of nostalgia.
· Do Dooni Chaar (2010). A delightful portrayal of a middle-class school teacher, co-starring Neetu Singh. The film won the National Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi.
· Agneepath (2012). A bold departure as Rauf Lala, a drug lord and villain. His menacing performance stunned critics.
· Kapoor & Sons (2016). As the eccentric, dying grandfather, buried under prosthetic makeup, Rishi stole every scene with his comic timing and warmth.
· 102 Not Out (2018). A charming father-son tale with Amitabh Bachchan, reversing their usual roles.
He was finally getting critical due he had been denied during his romantic era.
Filmfare critic Rahul Desai wrote:
“Rishi
Kapoor’s second innings was like watching an old song in a new remix - familiar,
yet refreshingly new.”
The Candid Man: Social Media and Unfiltered Opinions
Rishi Kapoor was among the few older stars to embrace Twitter with gusto. Sometimes this led to controversy. He was outspoken, politically incorrect at times, and unapologetically candid. His online persona revealed a man not afraid to speak his mind.
He used the platform to connect with fans, voice opinions on politics, cinema, and even scold fellow celebrities or troll followers. It earned him both admiration and backlash.
The Final Battle: Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
In 2018, Rishi Kapoor abruptly left for New York with Neetu Singh. Rumors swirled until it was confirmed - he was diagnosed with leukemia. The diagnosis shocked the industry.
He underwent intensive treatment in New York for nearly a year. Throughout the ordeal, Neetu stood by him like a rock. Ranbir frequently visited, juggling shoots and family commitments.
Despite pain and uncertainty, Rishi remained active on social media, sharing glimpses of his struggle, strength, and even humor.
In his final days, he returned to Mumbai with hope of resuming work. He signed Sharmaji Namkeen, a light-hearted film about a retired man finding joy in cooking. He could not complete the shoot, and after his death, actor Paresh Rawal stepped in to complete the film - a rare, touching tribute.
Death and Tributes: A Legend Departs
On April 30, 2020, Rishi Kapoor passed away at HN Reliance Foundation Hospital in Mumbai, at the age of 67. The industry was already reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent death of Irrfan Khan - Rishi’s death deepened the gloom.
In an official
statement, the Kapoor family wrote:
“He
remained jovial and determined to live to the fullest right through two years
of treatment across two continents. He was grateful for the love of his fans
and requested they remember him with a smile.”
Ranbir Kapoor, in later interviews, revealed the emotional toll the illness and death had taken on the family. He described his father as both “tough and tender” in equal measure.
Tributes poured in:
· Amitabh Bachchan wrote:
“I am destroyed. A brilliant
colleague, a consummate artist, a lively companion... gone too soon.”
· Neetu Kapoor shared a heartfelt post:
“End
of our story.”
Legacy: The Romantic, the Realist, the Resilient
Rishi Kapoor’s legacy is a tapestry of color, music, emotion, and evolution. From the naive teenager of Bobby to the aging patriarch of Kapoor & Sons, his roles mirrored the passage of time in Hindi cinema.
He symbolized the transition from an industry of studio-bound romances to one embracing realism, complexity, and layered characters.
Above all, he was a performer who never stopped learning, never stopped entertaining, and never stopped being human - flawed, passionate, impulsive, and unforgettable.
As Ranbir once put it:
“He
lived a full life. And he made every life he touched more full.”
Filmography Highlights
Rishi Kapoor appeared in over 100 movies, including both romantic leads and later character roles. Here are some of his selected films:
|
Year |
Film |
Appeared as/Genre |
|
1970 |
Mera Naam Joker |
Child Artist |
|
1973 |
Bobby |
Romantic Debut |
|
1980 |
Karz |
Thriller/Musical |
|
1982 |
Prem Rog |
Social Drama |
|
1991 |
Henna |
Cross-Border Romance |
|
1993 |
Damini |
Legal/Social Drama |
|
2012 |
Agneepath |
Villain |
|
2010 |
Do Dooni Chaar |
Comedy/Drama |
|
2016 |
Kapoor & Sons |
Ensemble Drama |
|
2018 |
102 Not Out |
Comedy/Drama |
|
2022 |
Sharmaji Namkeen |
Posthumous |
· Karan Johar. “He was brutally honest, deeply passionate, and he loved cinema like a worshipper. Working with him was like learning from a university of acting.”
· Neetu Kapoor. “He didn’t want sympathy. He wanted normalcy. That’s why even during his treatment, we’d laugh, watch movies, and live.”
· Ranbir Kapoor. “His fight was valiant. His life was larger than life. He gave us so much more than he took.”
Conclusion
Rishi Kapoor’s life wasn’t just the story of an actor - it was the story of Hindi cinema itself, across generations. He was born into its heart, thrived in its spotlight, reinvented himself as it evolved, and exited with grace. Whether strumming a guitar under the stars or muttering biting one-liners as a grumpy grandfather, Rishi Kapoor left behind an indelible legacy.
He wasn’t just a Kapoor. He was
cinema’s forever romantic, and its reluctant realist - woven into its past,
present, and eternal future.
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