Remembering Rishi Kapoor on his 69th birth anniversary

Raj Kapoor's middle son Rishi first appeared on the big screen as a toddler in a special cameo with siblings Randhir and Ritu in the song 'Pyar Hua Ikrar Hua Hai' from his father's film Shree 420 (1955). Rishi always wanted to follow his family members into the profession.

The actor, who was born on 4 September 1952, made his debut at 16 as the younger version of his father's character Raju in Mera Naam Joker (1970). He later became the hearthrob of millions with his first lead role in Bobby (1973).

Rishi Kapoor (1952–2020): Romantic hero who graduated into powerhouse performer

Rishi Kapoor died on 30 April 2020 aged 67 after a two-year battle with leukaemia. He had even moved to New York, USA, for over a year for treatment.

In 2017, the actor unveiled his biography, Khullam Khulla: Rishi Kapoor Uncensored, written with veteran film journalist Meena Iyer. The audio version is now available on Audible.in and it contains several bon mots and incidents from the actor’s life and career.

Of special note is his bond with wife Neetu Kapoor, whom he met on the sets of Zehreela Insaan (1974). They co-starred in 11 films before they got married!

In the book, Rishi recalled, “When I started dating Neetu, I didn't formally speak to [my family] about it, but they sensed where I was headed. My father tactfully fended off all proposals by telling the family that I was seeing someone and that they presume I would be marrying her.”

Neetu Singh also knew, early on, that Rishi was the one for her. “I knew Rishi Kapoor well,” she said. “I wanted to live with him and raise a family. I wanted this, despite the fact that he was the most troublesome boyfriend in town. He made me cry almost daily, but I still wanted to see him every day.”

“He is the most straightforward man there is,” she stated in the book. “Though I admit it's not easy to get to know him... I truly believe I couldn't have asked for a better man or a better life than I've had with him.”

The couple had two children, daughter Riddhima and son Ranbir. Ranbir later became a star in his own right, like his parents.

In the audiobook, Ranbir has shared how inspirational his father was as an actor even though he was no longer the main hero. “I saw his enthusiasm even at that age," he said. "He had it in him to better his craft.”

Rishi won the Filmfare Critics award for Best Actor for Do Dooni Chaar (2010) and the Filmfare award for Best Supporting Actor for Kapoor & Sons (2016). He continued to act even after his diagnosis. The upcoming Sharmaji Namkeen with Juhi Chawla is his last film, though Paresh Rawal had to step in to finish his incomplete portions.