Rishi Kapoor, one of Bollywood’s most celebrated stars, died on this day (April 30) in 2020 after a two-year battle with Leukemia. ‘Chintuji’ began his career with a supporting role in ‘Mera Naam Joker’ (1970), directed by and starring his legendary father Raj Kapoor, which flopped at the box office. He then found a foothold in the industry with his unforgettable performances, boyish charm, and outspoken nature. On Rishi Kapoor’s fourth death anniversary, here is a look at seven films that bear testimony to his talent.
‘Bobby’, widely regarded as a trendsetter in Hindi cinema, was a romantic drama that centered on the love story of two teenagers from different backgrounds and religions. It featured Rishi Kapoor as Raj, the son of a rich businessman, and gave him a good platform to showcase his abilities. The actor made full use of the opportunity and impressed movie buffs with his earnest performance. He was joined by Dimple Kapadia as Bobby, a Goan fisherman’s daughter.. The film emerged as a blockbuster because of its relatable storyline and catchy songs.
Rishi Kapoor held his own against Amitabh Bachchan and Vinod Khanna in Manmohan Desai’s well-received multi-starrer. The film featured a strong social message and a liberal dose of entertainment, which helped it connect with the masses. ‘Amar Akbar Anthony’ emerged as the highest-grossing film of the year and soon attained cult status because of its ‘masaledaar’ scenes and intense performances.
‘Karz’, directed by Subhash Ghai, was a riveting musical drama that centred on the events that unfold when a rockstar learns that he is the reincarnation of a rich businessman who died a gruesome death under mysterious circumstances. The film, with its foot-tapping songs, did justice to Rishi Kapoor’s reel image. Additionally, it featured several dramatic scenes that helped Rishi Kapoor push his limits as a performer. ‘Karz’ did decent business at the box office and eventually attained cult status thanks to its songs and the haunting background score.
Yash Chopra’s ‘Chandini’ was a quintessential romantic saga that featured the perfect blend of glamour and drama. Rishi Kapoor hit the right notes with his intense yet measured portrayal of Rohit Gupta, Chandini’s lover-turned-fiance. His crackling chemistry with Sridevi, who played the titular role, was a major highlight of the film. Chandini also featured Vinod Khanna, Anant Mahadevan, and Waheeda Rehman in key roles.
Rishi Kapoor captured his character’s vulnerability with effortless ease in Raj Kapoor’s highly ambitious ‘Henna’, a riveting romantic drama set against the backdrop of Indo-Pak tensions. In one of the film’s finest scenes a wounded ‘Chintuji’ cried out for his lover in his sleep. The film mesmerised fans with its organic intensity and received rave reviews from all corners. It was India’s official entry to the Oscars but did not make the cut.
Rishi Kapoor was at his earnest best in ‘Do Dooni Chaar’, a relatable slice-of-life drama about a principled school teacher who finds himself in a challenging situation because of challenges in his personal life. His scenes with Neetu and his reel son were a treat to watch as they had a high relatability quotient. The film received rave reviews for capturing the problems faced by the middle class in a humourous yet compelling manner.
‘Sharmaji Namkeen’ holds the distinction of being Rishi Kapoor’s final release. It premiered on Prime Video in 2022, nearly two years after his death, and proved to be a grand celebration of Chintuji’s career. It revolved around a recently-retired man’s attempts at adjusting to his new reality. Paresh Rawal stepped into Rishi Kapoor’s shoes after his death to complete the film. While Sharmaji Namkeen shortcomings, its heart was in the right place.
Honourable mentions: Saagar, Mulk, Kapoor and Sons, Love Aaj Kal, and Agneepath