Rishi Kapoor passed away today at the age of 67 due to cancer related complications but what will live on forever are the songs filmed on him. The actor's stardom was to a big extent about his loverboy image and, in Bollywood of the seventies and the eighties when he reigned, such an image came with a ceaseless flow of great and superhit songs.
Now as the entire nation fondly remembers him, we list down 12 melodious songs of late actor, which are nothing less than pure gold:
Main Shayar Toh Nahi - Bobby
Rishi's launch as a hero happened with Raj Kapoor's Bobby in 1973. Till date, the film is synonymous with Laxmikant-Pyarelal's unforgettable score. Be it main shayar toh nahi or Tu maike mat jaiyo or hum tum ek kamre mein band ho, the songs defined the arrival of a young loverboy hero who would redefine romance on the Hindi screen forever.
Chandni O Meri Chandni - Chandni
His spate of hit songs continued in the eighties, with Sridevi in Chandni. The song redefined innocent love.
Chehra Hai Ya Chand Khila Hai - Saagar
After Bobby, Rishi once again starred opposite Dimple Kapadia in the romantic drama Saagar, The film's music by legendary composer RD Burman still remains a hit and Rishi strumming his guitar in the popular number is still remembered!
Dard-E-Dil Dard-E-Jigar - Karz
Among Rishi's most iconic musical hits is Subhash Ghai's Karz. Be it Ek hasina thi, Om Shanti Om, Dard-e-Dil or Main solah baras ki, almost every song of the film went on to be a blockbuster, cementing Rishi's pairing with Tina Munim.
Ek Main Aur Ek Tu - Khel Khel Mein
The peppy song, sung by Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhonsle, in a big extent complimented his loverboy image on the screen.
Bachna Ae Haseeno - Hum Kisise Kum Naheen
Rishi emerged as a showman in super-duper Bachna Ae Haseeno from Hum Kisise Kum Nahin. In his element, he declares, “Beauties, beware, for I have arrived," and let's admit, he made several hearts skip a bit.
O Hansini - Zehreela Insaan
A must listen evergreen romantic song sung by the legend Kishore Kumar ft. Rishi with wife Neetu.
Dafliwale dafli bajaa - Sargam
Sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammed Rafi, the song, which featured actress-politician Jaya Prada opposite Rishi Kapoor, was a massive hit back then.
Tu Tu Hai Wahi - Yeh Vaada Raha
Sung by Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle and music is given by R.D.Burman, the song with Rishi and Tina Munim is still a favourite amongst the audience.
Sochenge Tumhe Pyaar Kare Ke Nahi - Deewana
Starring Divya Bharti alongside Rishi, the song was a massive hit and their chemistry was palpable. It was sung by Kumar Sanu with music from Nadeem-Shravan.
Parda Hai Parda - Amar Akbar Anthony
Parda Hai Parda, the quintessential qawaali song, featured the romantic actor and the eight-minute track yet again cemented his ultimate loverboy image.
Saathi Rey - Kapoor & Sons
Shakun Batra’s observational comedy featured Rishi as the cheeky grandfather and the track is an emotional number composed by Arko Pravo Mukherjee.
It is impossible to list or rank the songs of Rishi but all his albums were nothing but monumental hits. To say the least, his versatile image that could swing from being the traditional romantic hero the playful campus hunk suited Mohammad Rafi's sonorous voice as much as Kishore Kumar's rich vocal texture.
(Source: Youtube/With inputs from IANS)