Veteran Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor bid a final adieu to his friends, family and fans today morning. He was 67-years-old. With his passing, another glorious chapter of Bollywood has come to an end. The actor was well-loved for his portrayal on screen. He had once said, “Cinema as a medium is so universal that it touches thousands of hearts,” and this was especially true of Rishi’s acting that enamored everyone.
As the world is bidding him a tearful goodbye and coming to terms with the void that he has left behind, here’s a look at some of the most iconic roles of the versatile actor who for the major part of his career was relegated as a romantic hero. He received the National Film Award for Best Child Artist for his debut role in his father Raj Kapoor's 1970 film Mera Naam Joker.
Bobby
Rishi made his Bollywood debut in 1973 romantic film Bobby directed by his father Raj Kapoor. The film was a runaway hit and was the best launchpad any star kid could have ever imagined. The film also introduced Dimple Kapadia. Bobby was a teenage romance with the financial status of the couple's families playing the villain. The film catapulted its young stars to celebrity status in no time.
Khel Khel Mein
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In 1975 came the film Khel Khel Mein that starred Rishi's eventual wife Neetu Kapoor. Although the two had shared screen space in 1974 film Zehrela Insaan but their pairing was much appreciated in Khel Khel Mein. The film also starred Rakesh Roshan and although started on a lighter note, turns into a gripping thriller later on.
Kabhie Kabhie
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Rishi matched his acting prowess with other stalwarts like Waheeda Rehman, Shashi Kapoor, Rakhee and Amitabh Bachchan in Kabhie Kabhie. He was once again paired opposite Neetu Kapoor in the film and he managed to shine amongst the ensemble cast with his confidence.
Amar Akbar Anthony
Amar Akbar Anthony is Rishi's most successful film. Playing the character of an impish qawaali singer he managed to bring the humour and guile to his character of the youngest brother of the triumvirate of Vinod Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan and himself. The Manmohan Desai film has become a cult classic down the years.
Sargam
The 1979 film was about a young deaf-and-mute woman who is ill-treated by her stepmother and has a passion for classical dancing. Rishi played a musician who helped her realise her dream. His pairing with Jaya Prada was loved by all and the ease with which he played the dafli became a signature to his persona.
Karz
This reincarnation drama directed by Subhash Ghai had breathtaking music. Rishi's turn as a musician who is reborn to avenge his death at the hands of his scheming wife in a past life had everyone spurring him on. Paired opposite Tina Ambani (nee Munim), Rishi played the avenger with aplomb who is out to seek revenge against Simi Garewal by making her confess her crime.
Saagar
Rishi once again reunited with Dimple Kapadia in Saagar. The film was a romantic triangle and starred Kamal Haasan as the third lead. This was Dimple's comeback film after her marriage to Rajesh Khanna. The film was also a commentary on the class divide and how it stifles love. Rishi played the rich affluent Ravi, in love with Dimple's middle-class character while Kamal played the best friend Raja whose love remains unrequited.
Chandni
Chandni was Yash Chopra's romantic film that has earned an iconic status in more ways that one. The film starred Rishi, Sridevi and Vinod Khanna in the lead. Rishi played a layered character who is in love with the spirited Sridevi but after getting paralyzed in an accident forces her to abandon him and seek a life with someone else. Rishi brought his anguish on the screen with impeccable finesse ina very nuanced character.
Love Aaj Kal
Rishi played an older character in Imtiaz Ali's 2009 directorial Love Aaj Kal that gives advice to Saif Ali Khan about love and life through his own love story. Rishi's turn as a sagely character was loved by all and he earned a lot of accolades for it.
Do Dooni Chaar
The romantic comedy-drama was about a middle-class teacher (Rishi) who tries to keep his wife (Neetu Kapoor) and children happy in his meagre salary. He wants to fulfill their dream of buying a car and he perfectly nailed the hassled and harried role of the man.
Agneepath
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After playing mostly romantic characters in his Bollywood career, Rishi turned to portraying a grey character in Hrithik Roshan starrer Agneepath. The film saw him take on the character of Rauf Lala an underworld don. His kohl-eyed character was so menacing that you end up hating him more than the main antagonist played by Sanjay Dutt.
Kapoor and Sons
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In Kapoor and Sons, Rishi played a 90-year-old grandfather who is so hilarious and colourful that he pales his family in comparison. He lusts after a cardboard cutout of Mandakini and watches porn and makes nasty remarks at people including the hospital nurses attending to him. Rishi was the heart-and-soul of the film and kept the momentum high with his jokes and wittiness in Kapoor and Sons.
102 Not Out
In this 2018 film he once again teamed up with Amitabh Bachchan, however, this time they were playing father and son in this rib-tickling comedy. While Amitabh played a 102-year-old young at heart old man it was Rishi who played his 76-year-old son who believed he was too old to enjoy life. He gave a spirited yet restrained performance in the film that brought out the real dilemma his character was facing in the film.
Mulk
Mulk was Rishi's last film. The film raised questions about religion and patriotism. The film revolved around the struggles of a Muslim joint family in a Hindu majority town in India who fight to reclaim their honour after a member of their family turn to terrorism. Rishi brought a lot of depth to his character in the film.
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