Rishi Kapoor. One of the most happy-go-lucky actorss in Bollywood. Always cherubic and bubbly. A lucky mascot. For everyone who worked with him. For his father who was reeling under huge losses from "Mere Naam Joker", he became a money-spinning "Bobby". For heroines who got launched with him like Padmini Kolhapuri and Dimple. For co-stars and superstars. And for many producers and directors who found in him the mettle to rub shoulders with multi-starrer giants. He became the proverbial David who charmed many Goliath-like giants with his non-threatening effervescence and ego-less pranks. Most of the films starring Rishi Kapoor became box-office bonanzas for producers though he never got full or deserving credit for his performances that pulled in the crowds.
The only girl he ever got linked with early in career was Dimple who eloped with Rajesh Khanna, even after wearing a ring given by Rishi when they were dating during "Bobby". Of course, he married Neetu Singh finally - and thats one heck of a love-story for a free-wheeling 80s couple who did 13 films together with dazzling chemistry.
Raj Kapoor always thought Rishi would make the most successful director (he did direct "Aa Ab Last Chale" which didn't click). But he became the most successful lover in the history of Bollywood: always walks away with the girl, whoever else in the triangle may be - Vinod Chopra, Kamal Hasan or Vinod Mehra. He became Amitabh Bachchan's most famous Tillu Bhai in many memorable hits of the 80s and happy to play second fiddle to the reigning Superstar. As a nice guy, he has so far given the best shot amongst the Raj Kapoor's sons sustaining himself in a career spanning four decades since he first appeared. Before he came in as "Bobby", Bollywood films used to be all about men and women, as a critic remarked. After "Bobby", it was about boys and girls.
Rishi Kapoor went on to belt out the most iconic dancing hits and Qawali numbers of an entire generation many of which became titles of blockbusters in 2000s. Before the likes of Govind and Mithun, it was always Rishi who was rated the best dancer for a long time. It was quite an achievement for Rishi- to serenade a heroine, and synchronize dancing steps with her without an effort. The disco lights, the revolving dance floors and the psychedelic lighting bulbs of the 80s would have all looked out of place were it not for the elegance of Rishi Kapoor's cadence and ease. He would break into a song and dance and everybody out there would fall in sync - swirling and crooning without an apology.
There are actors down South who followed the same model of Rishi Kapoor in experimenting with new heroines and playing second fiddle in multi-starters as long as they could hold your own - Chandra Mohan in Tollywood and Siva Kumar in Kollywood, they became known as the Rishi Kapoors of their respective Film Industries. Of course, it could be argued the other way too - why not Rishi Kapoor be called the Chandra Mohan of Bollywood? But that's a different topic!
Rishi Kapoor, later transformed into playing played mature characters after his gait and genetic code no longer made him look younger because of the famous Dal Makhni Kapoor staple diet. In the last decade, he became Bollywood's severest conscience keeper raising holy hell every time the Industry stalwarts floundered in responding to the 'crying need of the hour' be it #Metoo or a war-like situation. He also brook no nonsense with his recently released autobiography "Khullam Khulla" (in which he nailed stars like Rajesh Khanna or Amitabh Bachchan with no-holds barred revelations).
Of course, his fine acting continued with the likes of Irrfan Khan and Amitabh Bachchan ("102 not out") and he would have easily given another shot at third innings at a time when his son Ranbir Kapoor is earning solid spurs as the next Superstar of Bollywood. That speaks a lot of about the original first family of Bollywood - the Kapoor Clan whose gene pool keeps gifting Superstars and Divas who became endearing icons of Indian Cinema. Rishi has travelled as far, if not farther than all his great uncles but perhaps will have the last laugh once his son conquers Bollywood one day, if not already. It is quite ironic that the Star who gave India's first song on self-quarantining ("Hum Tum Ek Kamre Me Bandh Ho...") should pass out during India's self-quarantine period. And in his passing, the whole nation says "Om Shanti Om" to the man who sang the most famous anthem of the 80s with the same words. Truly, Rishida will be missed by the 80s generation and one hopes that his legacy will be carried on by son Ranbir Kapoor to the next level.
My favorite films of Rishi Kapoor:
1. Karz
2. Amar Akbar Anthony
3. Chandini
4. Zamaane Ko Dikhana Hai
5. Sagar
