April 30 happens to be Rishi Kapoor's death anniversary. Here we may look into his life and times and of course some of his performances on the silver screen.
Born 4 September 1952, Rishi Kapoor expired on 30th of April, 2020 .. around the time when the world was confronting Covid19 and India was dealing with Lockdown and related challenges.
With regard Rishi Kapoor, it may not be wrong to suggest say after so many decades that the son of legendary Raj Kapoor - Rishi could not be anything else other than being an actor.
Prior to Bobby itself - Rishi Kapoor walked away with the 1971 National Film Award for Best Child Artist for his incredible performance in 'Mera Naam Joker'.
'Bobby' was one of the decade's biggest hits and in contrast 'Mera Naam Joker' had flopped commercially even though it was billed as one of the dream projects of Raj Kapoor. Dreams, hard work and quality performance not always get rewarded!
Making his debut in 1970 film 'Mera Naam Joker', Rishi had played a childhood/basically an adolescent role of his father and left his mark certainly.
In an interview in 2012, Rishi had stated: "There was a misconception that the film 'Bobby' was made to launch me as an actor. The film was actually made to pay the debts of 'Mera Naam Joker'.
"Dad (Raj Kapoor) wanted to make a teenage love story and he did not have money to cast Rajesh Khanna in the film"."
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| Life is about 'Reflection and Cyling' - snap Amarjeet Singh (once a lensman with The Statesman) |
For many years Dimple Kapadia had gone into oblivion. In 1985, came in 'Saagar' and yet again the silver screen magic was created between Rishi and Dimple.
'Saagar' was a comeback film for Dimple and it also became India's official entry for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1985. Of course, ever talented Kamal Hassan mesmerised the audience with his melancholy emotive touch as a 'wounded lover'!
Kamal Hassan bagged the Filmfare Best Actor award, his first and only award in that category for a Hindi film.
'Karz' was magical and musical.
The film's ever-hit number 'Ek Haseena Thi, Ek Diwana Tha' by Kishore Kumar attracts youngsters of this new era - Gen Zee too.
The song is used in new era movies 'Haseen Dillruba' (2021) and its sequel 'Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba' (2024).
The romantic thriller films available on Netflix, has Taapsee Pannu, Vikrant Massey, and Harshvardhan Rane (2021) / Sunny Kaushal (2024). They follow a suspenseful love story filled with investigation and mystery and the song is used in brilliant manner.
....perhaps the best tribute for Rishi Kapoor - a permanent heartthrob came some years back when his 'Bobby' co-star Dimple Kapadia had said: "I lost my heart some years back(during filming Boby), and yet to get it back".
Rishi's mass level success came in 1973 with 'Bobby', and it was around the same time Bollywood had its dream run with 'Sholay' - both the films were direct anti-thesis to each other.
One a love story, rebellion of the younger lot and the other almost a 'masala' variety but with very powerful and magical dialogues.
'Karz' directed by Subhash Ghai was another run away success and it had established Rishi's toehold in the industry. In later films - he displayed talent in more ways than one and put out severally critically acclaimed role.
Who can forget his role as a NRI dad in 'Namaste London' -- who has to lament the manner his daughter behaves and dismisses her marriage with an Indian backhome.
Again in 'Damini', came in another emotional performance by a husband who is distraught with his parents' approach towards his wife and he screams helplessly:
"aadmi jhoot kyon bolta hae (Why does one have to depend on falsehood)".
In some of these films, Rishi's co stars shine and walk away with limelight but none can ignore the supporting effectiveness provided by him as well.
Some may also believe that perhaps his uncle and father - Shashi Kapoor and Raj Kapoor were far more talented and were better quality stars than him.
Now let us take a closer look at some of his catchy oneliner dialogues!
In 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan', he has a classy comment:
"Har ishq ka ek waqt hota hai ... woh hamara waqt nahi tha ... par iska yeh matlab nahi ki woh ishq nahi tha
(Every love has its own time ... that time was not ours ... but that does not mean that the love itself was not there)".
Video link
Then there is a very powerful dialogue depicting the predicament of our time and some of these issues are only discussed closed door.
"Agar Aap Meri Dadhi Or Osama Bin Laden Ke Dadhi Mein Farak Nahe Kar Parahain To Bhe Mujhai Haq Hai Mere Sunnat Nebhanay Ka"
(If you cannot distinguish between my beard and that of Osama bin Laden, I still have the right to follow my religious ritual) -- says Rishi in 'Mulk' -
-- a film based on the story of a Muslim family trying to reclaim its lost honor after a young member is caught in terror act.
ends
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