Adieu! The King of Romance.

With the disturbing turn of events, another bad news made headlines on the morning of April 30th, the veteran actor Rishi Kapoor breathed his last in Mumbai at 8:45 IST on April 30, 2020. He was battling leukemia for past 2 years. Chintoo, as people would lovingly call him, had a quintessential persona that was unmatched both on-screen and off-screen even at 67 years of age. A devastated nation, heartbroken fans, family members and his industry colleagues bid the actor final goodbye.

Let’s revisit the life of Bollywood’s original chocolate boy and pay our homage to Rishi Raj Kapoor. You will be missed by millions.

Born In Bollywood’s “First Family”

With four generations of the Kapoor family serving the Indian cinema, Rishi Kapoor was born in the so-called Bollywood’s “first family”. Born on September 4, 1952, in Mumbai, he had a charmed life under a lucky star. Son to Mr. Raj Kapoor and grandson to the legendary Prithviraj Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor had the stage set for him even before he could think. He was surrounded by the acting icons of the Indian film industry. He went on to join Mayo College, Ajmer to complete his graduation before his grand entry into movies.

A Career Like No Other

early entry as a child artist

Rishi Kapoor entered the Indian film industry as a child artist in Shree 420. He can be seen walking around with 2 other kids in the movie song ‘Pyaar Hua, Iqraar Hua’. But he got his first break in the 1970 movie “Mera Naam Joker” where he portrayed the childhood character of his father. He was loved as a chubby and adorable child star. The movie did not do well but Rishi was an enormous hit with dreamy blue eyes and a cute face. And for the very same role, he also received an Indian National Award.

lead with Bobby… A star was born

It was in 1973 when Rishi Kapoor bagged his first lead role opposite Dimple Kapadia in the movie Bobby. It was an instant hit with all youngsters where he played the role of a romantic handsome young man. His scene with his girlfriend bobby riding pillion became iconic in Indian cinema. The on-screen Jodi of Rishi and Dimple became such a hit as if there existed no other romantic on-screen couple before them. He also received the Film fare Best Actor Award in 1974 for Bobby ( for which he paid Rs.30,000). In-fact this very movie gave wavering raj Kapoor fortunes a life who was on the verge of a crash.

No looking back…

Rishi kept on playing young romantic hero roles with loads of drama around the story. With a rollercoaster-like career with numerous hit and flop movies he still managed to create a special place for himself within the industry and his increasing popularity gave his movies a cushion.
His movies like Chandni, Kabhi Kabhi, Amar Akbar Anthony were some that created history. Rishi was on top of his work as a lone star. He went onto play the romantic lead in almost 92 movies up until 2000. In the era of ’70s, Amitabh Bachchan was one rising star but Rishi’s versatile ability to ease into narratives helped him to carve his own space.
In the era of late ’70s, Rishi paired with his future wife Neetu, but pair could not create magic in solo movies – Zehreela Insaan, Zinda Dil, Doosra Aadmi, Anjane Mein, Jhoota Kahin Ka, Dhan Daulat were flop movies. But multi-starrer movies were a different ball game for both – Khel Khel Mein, Kabhie Kabhie, Amar Akbar Anthony, Pati Patni Aur Woh, Duniya Meri Jeb Mein were some hit movies to name.

The Better Half – Neetu Singh

Not only reel life but in real life too Rishi Kapoor was a lover boy. In his teenage, he dated actress Yasmin and Dimple Kapadia. Finally, he fell in love with his 15 -time co-star Neetu Singh and got married on January 22, 1980. As a husband, Rishi was a demanding personality. He was one person who did not like second place in Neetu’s life even if the first place was taken by their children. To spend some quality time Rishi Kapoor even imposed 8:30 pm deadline on Neetu Singh.

His autobiagraphy

Rishi Kapoor had made himself felt where ever possible be it movies, social media or off the screen. He had his share of controversies and rivalries which he had openly discussed in his autobiography “Khullam Khulla” co-written with Meena Iyer. He has discussed all the ups and downs that he experienced in his entire career.

Rishi Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan became family, when Shweta, daughter of Big B is married to Nikhil Nanda, nephew to Kapoor. Rishi Kapoor also mentioned that Big B is very particular about maintaining a healthy relationship between the two families.

Rishi’s 2nd Innings Into Bollywood

Rishi Kapoor turned towards the direction of movies in 1999 with Aa Ab Laut Chalen. He also happened to take a sabbatical to rediscover his new acting genre and he came back with a bang. This veteran actor showcased his true acting skills away from his lover boy tag. He picked up various versatile roles.
In an interview with PTI, Rishi Kapoor said, “For the first 25 years of my career, I did nothing but sing and dance. In my second innings, I have got the chance to act.”

Here’s a list

• Role of a villain (Rauf Lala) in 2012’s Agneepath.
• Curious and fun-loving grandfather in Kapoor & Sons
• Helpless Murad Ali Mohammed in Mulk.
• Role of Santosh Duggal, a maths teacher in the movie Do Dooni Chaar
• Role of a heart-broken 75-year old son, in the movie 102 Not Out.

Alas!

Every movie has its end. In the 2018 Rishi Kapoor was diagnosed with cancer. He moved to New York, USA for his treatment. Very recently he was admitted in hospital as well. On April 29th, he was again hospitalized in Mumbai where he took his last breath on April 30th.

May he and his kind soul rest in peace. We all will miss the chocolate boy and there will be no other.