The little Raju of Mera Naam Joker (1970) won hearts with his innocence first. Three years later, he grew up to become a lover-boy in Bobby (1973) who romanced silver screen for more than two decades. He lived up to this image with films like Khel Khel Mein (1975), Kabhie Kabhie (1976), Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), Doosra Aadmi (1978), Karz (1980), Naseeb (1981), Prem Rog (1982), Saagar (1985), Nagina (1986), Chandni (1989), Henna (1991), Bol Radha Bol (1992) and Deewana (1992).
He took some time before realising that his chocolate boy days are over. Result? He delivered duds like Yaraana (1995), Prem Granth (1996), Daraar (1996), and Karobaar: The Business of Love (2000). As his weight showed an upward trend, his charisma started to wane. His fans began to feel that maybe Rishi needs to change with times. And he did. When he realised that the lover boy in him has aged, he smartly slipped into the character actor mould with films like Hum Tum (2004), Fanaa (2006), Namaste London (2007), Love Aaj Kal (2009) and Patiala House (2010). Needless to say he started getting his audiences’ love again. 2010 onwards, the character artist in him evolved into a more serious actor. He played lead in Do Dooni Chaar (2010), Chintu Ji (2009) and subsequently a negative character in Agneepath (2012). Agneepath changed the ball game for him. Rishi Kapoor’s performance enthralled his fans. His gamble to play a negative character for the first time worked in hs favour. Coming up next is Aurangzeb, where he’s playing the grey character again. Directed by Atul Sabharwal, the film will portray Arjun Kapoor in a double role and will also pair up Jackie Shroff and Amrita Singh again after almost two decades. This film is rumored to be a fresh take on the 1978 blockbuster film Trishul and will release next year. The year 2012 marks the actor’s 40 glorious years in cinema and on Tuesday he turns 60, which is another milestone for the actor.
TOP 10 RISHI KAPOOR SONGS:
Hum Tum Ek Kamre Mein Band Ho – Bobby: The young and affable Rishi Kapoor romances the sweet and innocent Dimple Kapadia in this track. Their chemistry was natural and palpable. Main Shayar To Nahi – Bobby: This is another romantic song from Rishi’s first solo film Bobby. Om Shanti Om – Karz: When the lover boy slipped into the disco shoes, a glittery silver outfit and hummed Om Shanti Om, he stole away the heart of millions.
Hum Ne Tumko Dekha – Khel Khel Mein: He conquered the game of love with Hum Ne Tumko Dekha as he romanced his future wife Neetu Singh in this melodious song from Khel Khel Mein. Hoga Tumse Pyara Kaun – Zamaane Ko Dikhana Hai: Hills, a moving train and some slow dance moves made for a memorable song, as Rishi Kapoor romanced his Kanchi Padmini Kolhapure. Chandni O Meri Chandni – Chandni: A naughty, romantic and soulful number filmed on Sridevi and Rishi Kapoor. Dard-e-dil – Karz: Rishi Kapoor, hopelessely in love with Tina Munim sings this song for her. Sochenge Tumhe Pyar – Deewana: This romantic number is filmed on Rishi Kapoor and Divya Bharti. Pardah Hai Pardah – Amar Akbar Anthony: Rishi Kapoor as Akbar Ilahbadi sings this song for padanasheen Neetu Singh. Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karenge – Khel Khel Mein: Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh are the free-spirited lovers in this song.
TOP 5: RISHI, THE LOVER BOY
Bobby (1973): Bobby was perhaps the first Bollywood film that depicted teenage romance. The film revolves around the love story of two Bombay teenagers of different classes – Raj Nath (Rishi Kapoor), son of a rich businessman and Bobby Braganza (Dimple Kapadia), daughter of a poor Anglo-Indian Christian fisherman.
Khel Khel Mein (1975): The film that starts as a love story turns into a thriller after college students Rishi Kapoor, Neetu Singh and Rakesh Roshan play a prank. Chandni (1989): Rohit (Rishi Kapoor) and Chandni (Sridevi) meet at a wedding and fall in love. But luck has some other plans. Rohit meets with an accident and their lives change. Bol Radha Bol (1992): Kishen Verma (Rishi Kapoor) is the only son of a rich businessman. He goes to a small village to explore setting of a new factory unit there. He meets a simple village girl named Radha (Juhi Chawla), and the two fall in love. Deewana (1992): Kajal (Divya Bharti) falls in love and marries a famous singer named Ravi (Rishi Kapoor). They live their newly married life happily for a while, until tragedy strikes.
TOP 5 HIS EXPERIMENTS WITH CINEMA:
Do Dooni Chaar (2010): The film starring Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh is about a middle-class school teacher (Rishi) who tries to keep his wife and children happy in inflationary times and dreams of buying a car.
