Weekend

Today’s weekend blog is a tribute to the Bollywood legend RISHI KAPOOR, who expired yesterday in Mumbai, at the age of 67. He was suffering from blood cancer from Mid 2018. He had spend almost year in New York  for the treatment, and he returned to Mumbai in Sept 2019.

His full name was Rishiraj Kapoor, he was born on 4^th Sept 1952 . His father was legendary Producer/Director/ Actor of Bollywood known as Raj Kapoor and grand father was Prithviraj Kapoor, also a legend. He belonged to the family who is known as first family of Bollywood, whose 4 generations are involved with Bollywood. Starting with Prthviraj Kapoor then his sons Raj Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor, Shashi Kapoor, then Raj Kapoor’s sons Randhir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor and Rajiv Kapoor, then Randhir Kapoor’s daughters Kareena Kapoor & Karishma Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor’s son Ranbir Kapoor.

As a child artist, first time he came on screen with his elder siblings  Randhir   and  Ritu, in a song of film Shri 420  ‘Pyar Hua Iqraar Hua’, when the wordings of the song come ‘ Main Na Rahoongi, Tum Na Rahoge, Phir Bhi Rahengi Nishaniyan’, then at that time the 3 children of Raj Kapoor were shown on the screen. What a true prophecy written in the song as Raj Kapoor’s son Rishi and Nargis’s son Sanjay Dutt became top stars in  Bollywood. His next outing as child star was in his father’s magnum opus film Mera Naam Joker, where he played the role of younger Raj Kapoor, for which he won the National award for Best Child Actor.

Rishi Kapoor’s first leading role was in film Bobby, which was Produced/Directed by his father Raj Kapoor. The film was released in 1973. The heroine of the film was also a debutant Dimple Kapadia. The film went on to become one of the biggest hits of 70s. Actually the film was not a launch pad for Rishi, Raj Kapoor after the debacle of Mera Naam Joker, wanted to prove to the Bollywood he is not finished yet because after the film’s debacle Industry people had written off, and he was in great financial mess. So Raj Kapoor proved that he can still make the mega hit even by casting new comers.

So  after the release of Bobby, a new young romantic star was born. Although his next few films did not do wonders at box office but his acting was appreciated. But at the same time in the Bollywood trend was shifting towards action films with the rise of Amitabh Bachchan (who got branded as angry young man). Along with single hero films he also started accepting multi star cast films to keep himself in circulations.

So for almost 25 years  he acted as romantic singing hero, whether it is a solo hero film or multi starrer film. In the end in year 1998 he stopped acting as romantic hero. During this period some of his popular film as solo hero were Rafoo Chakkar, Khel Khel Mein, Laila Majnu, Doosra Aadmi, Sargam, Karz, Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai, Prem Rog, Nagina, Chandni, Khoj, Henna, Bol Radha Bol, Yaarana, Prem Granth. Some of his famous multi starrer films during the same period were Hum Kisese Kam Nahin, Kabhi Kabhi, Amar Akbar Anthony, Badaltey Rishtey, Katilon Ke katil, Naseeb, Coolie, Duniya, Khudgarz, Vijay, Ajooba, Deewana, Sahibaan, Damini,  Daraar.

In the new millennium he successfully switched over to character roles, and for two decade he proved to his fans and Bollywood Producers/Directors  that  he can act in other roles also. Some of his famous films for these 2 decades are Raju Chacha, Hum Tum, Luck By Chance, Namastey London, Delhi 6, Love Aaj Kal, Agneepath, Student of the year, D Day, Shudh Desi Romance, Do Dooni Char, Kapoor & Sons, 102 Not Out & Mulk. From these films 2 films which are worth mentioning are Agneepath and D Day, where he acted as pure villain. It has been reported that when he was approached for Agneepath, he straight way refused but director of the film persisted with him, and in the end director had to say to him that this role was written with him in mind, although in the original  movie Agneepath (starring Amitabh) this role was not there, and if you refuse I will not make this film. In the end Rishi bowed, and friends what  a performance. This must have given him courage to do D Day also.

So such was his versatility in the varied roles in his 2^nd innings that fans were always left wondering about his acting powers.

Personal Life- He got married to his girl friend and co star in many earlier films, Neetu Singh in 1980. They have 2 children Ranbir and Ridhima. Ranbir Kapoor has emerged as one of best leading actor of this millennium, and their daughter Ridhima is no way connected with  Bollywood. She is married to  a businessman and staying in Delhi.

He was diagnosed with Leukemia (blood Cancer) in 2018 and he went to New York for treatment. After a successful treatment for over a year, and returned to Mumbai on 26^th Sept 2019. He was admitted to HN Reliance Hospital in South Mumbai on 29^th April 2020, and less that 24 hours after admission, he passed away.

Now Rishi was romantic hero and singing star. So I  am listing some  of my favourite songs which were enacted by him on the screen :

1 Main Shayar To Nahin from Bobby. Sung by Shailendra Singh and composed by Laxmikant Pyarelal.

2. Khullam Khullam Pyar Karenge Hum Dono from Khel Khel Mein. Sung by Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle, composed by RD Burman.

3 Parda Hai Parda from Amar Akbar Anthony. Sung by Mohd Rafi and composed by Laxmikant Pyarelal.

4 Ek Haseena Thi, Ek Deewana Tha from Karz. Sung By Kishore Kumar and composed by Laxmikant Pyarelal.

5 O Hansini, Meri Hansini from Zehrila Insaan. Sung by Kishore Kumar and composed by  RD Burman.

6 Bachana Ae Haseeno, Lo Main Aa Gaya  from Hum Kisese Kam Nahin. Sung by Kishore Kumar and composed by RD Burman.

7 Sochenge Tumhe Pyar Karen Ke Nahin from  Deewana. Sung by Kumar Sanu and composed by  Nadeem Shravan.

8 Dafliwale Dafli Baja- From Sargam.  Sung by Mohd Rafi with Lata Mangeshkar, composed by Laxmikant Pyarelal.

So in the end  RIP, RISHI KAPOOR.

Awaiting your comments/views/ feed backs.

Anil Malik

Mumbai, India

1^st May 2020.