By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
On His Death Anniversary
Rishi Kapoor, the scion of a family known for their traditional devotion and dedication to arts, especially theatre and cinema, withstood the test of time on many an occasion. Theirs is the only family which has been associated with the Indian cinema for four generations.
Born 4 September 1952 , Rishi Kapoor was introduced to Hindi cine goers in Raj Kapoor’s million-dollar film,” Mera Naam Joker”. Rishi plays a precocious school boy who is more interested in his teacheress’ legs ( Simi Grewal plays the teacheress) than in his ‘lessons’. Simi is attired in mod dress-skirts and shirt. The adolescent Rishi cast furtive glances at her when she is having her ablutions. His role, though small, was well taken notice of.
Rishi Kapoor’s ascent to popularity was phenomenally quick thanks to his father, Raj Kapoor’s ingenuity and artistic imaginativeness. Rishi hit the screen as a full fledged hero in “Bobby” a film which proved a trend setter introducing as it did, in a big way, that erotic, skimpy device called ‘bikini’. The heroine Dimple Kapadia, then a nubile, fresh and adolescent girl-the sweet sixteen kind( she was actually sixteen then)was presented to the viewers in a red rose bikini which was intended to hide less and revel more. There were also a few titillating scenes in the film. There was so mad rush for the film that viewers flocked from Faridabad, Meerut and Firozabad to see the movie in Delhi in 1973.
Interestingly, barring one or two, most heroines who are paired with Rishi tasted instant stardom. Dimple became a star with “Bobby” and Neetu Singh catapulted into the dizzy heights of fame and fortune after she had acted opposite him. Theirs was one of the most durable romantic pairs . And their romance ended, not unpredictably, in a permanent-eternal, to be very precise liaison. And what is more, their marriage, too, is as successful as were the two together on the screen.
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Rishi played a sensitive role in” Karz” which had Simi Grewal, Tina Munim and Pran in the cast. His ” Amar Akbar Anthony” was another box office hit. In “Sagar” Rishi was pitted against Dimple. The film had a couple of kissing scenes too. He played a harassed and intimidated lover but coming out of the ordeal triumphantly, braving all the maneuvers of the cast-ridden society and defeating their designs in the end. “Nagina” admittedly had given the actor the required boost, a new direction, a new purpose and a new goal. Although, it was described as a “Sridevi Film”, we cannot ignore Rishi & Amrish Puri ( May their souls rest in peace). His other noteworthy pictures include ” Laila Majnu”, “Kudrat Ka Faisla” ,”Barood” , ” Hum Kisi Se Kam Nahin” and ” Mulk” starring Rishi & Taapsee Pannu. Interestingly, the actor has handled both serious and light roles with equal competence. He continued to make his presence felt when Rajesh Khanna, Dharmendra and Amitabh ruled the roost.
I met Rish Kapoor on the sets of late D. K. Chawla’s musical hit “Sahibaan” ( 1993) also featuring Madhuri Dixit & Sanjay Dutt in Bombay and talked to him. I found him introvert and asked more questions about his father Raj Kapoor & uncle Shashi whom I met more than once. Rishi played a mountain boy in the film which co-starred Kiran Kumar, Sonu Walia and Anjana Mumtaz. “Sharmaji Namkeen” (2022), his last film, was released after his death.The Oscars Honoured Rishi Kapoor For His Contribution To Hindi Cinema. Kapoor won several accolades including Filmfare Awards. Was bestowed with Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for one of his last films- Kapoor & Sons (2016).
