Rishi Kapoor: Remembering the romantic hero of Bollywood on his second death anniversary

Mumbai (Maharashtra): Rishi Kapoor charmed the audience of Bollywood ever since he debuted with Bobby in 1973. A mere 21-year-old Rishi made girls fall in love with him with his chocolate boy image. Be it Karz, a thriller, or Damini, a socially-oriented film, both cult classics, Rishi Kapoor delivered a substantial range of stories to the film industry. A career-spanning for over five decades, he was not only a veteran actor but a legend for the young generation of actors today. He inspired everyone with his resilience and his ability to act in complicated roles that came his way.

It has been two years since the actor succumbed to leukaemia, leaving a hole in the industry that no one can ever fulfil. Veteran actress and wife Neetu Kapoor and children Ranbir Kapoor and Riddhima Kapoor Sahni always made sure to remember the star during every milestone occasion. Neetu Kapoor recently dedicated Ranbir’s wedding post to Rishi Kapoor, gladly declaring that his final wish was at last fulfilled.

On his second death anniversary, here is remembering the romantic lead of Bollywood with his topmost romantic movies over the decades.

 

Bobby (1973)

A 21-year-old Rishi Kapoor thrown into a romantic film, what could go wrong? Nothing! Bobby was a massive hit among the young generation and lead to Rishi Kapoor’s instant success in the film industry. His chocolate boy charm and his image as a romantic lead were set in his first film and the actor then went on to become one of the top actors that Bollywood has seen. About the film, Rishi Kapoor once revealed in an interview, “There was a misconception that the film was made to launch me as an actor. The film was actually made to pay the debts of Mera Naam Joker. Dad wanted to make a teenage love story and he did not have money to cast Rajesh Khanna in the film.”

 

Kabhi Kabhie (1976)

Although Rishi Kapoor did not star as the main lead in the movie, he was a huge part of the story and the success of Kabhi Kabhie made him a heartthrob. His chemistry with Neetu Kapoor was undeniable and it was after this film that the couple started dating and eventually married after four years.

 

Laila Majnu (1976)

Hailed as a cult classic by critics, Laila Majnu led Rishi Kapoor to be known as a bankable star. It was his first hit after Bobby and led him to a career filled with cult classics. The film is based on the legend of Layla and Majnun and revolved around the star-crossed lovers, a rich princess named Laila and a poor worker named Qais i.e., Majnu.

 

Sargam (1979)

Sargam was a musical romantic film which was a huge success at the box office. Rishi Kapoor starred as the main lead who supports the lead actress Jaya Prada in her passion for dance. Rishi Kapoor was known to star in women-centric films and films that talked about taboo topics in society. His movies brought in a lot of change to the social dynamic of taboos in the film industry with many mainstream filmmakers then opting to choose to make socially relevant films.

 

Yeh Vada Raha (1982)

Yeh Vada Raha was again a huge success and further fixed Rishi Kapoor’s status as a superstar in Bollywood. Yeh Vada Raha tells a story of a man who assumes he lost the love of his in an accident but is reunited with her later in life. Yeh Vada Raha was particularly famous for its title song ‘Yeh Vada Raha’.

 

Prem Rog (1982)

Prem Rog is considered an all-time classic of Raj Kapoor. Highly critically acclaimed, the film was also a commercial success. It talked about the taboo topic of widow remarriage. Prem Rog led to Rishi Kapoor’s nomination for Filmfare Best Actor, although he lost, he was highly praised for his performance. Prem Rog is still considered a milestone cinema among movie enthusiasts.

 

Nagina (1986)

Nagina is still a highly-talked-about film even today. Be it Sridevi’s iconic Naagin look or Rishi Kapoor’s chemistry with her, Naagin marked the duo’s first collaboration after which they led on to give another classic, Chandni. Naagin revolves around Rajiv and Rajni who are living happily until an evil sadhu comes into their life to control Rajni, a shape-shifting venomous snake.

 

Henna (1981)

Henna was India’s submission to the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film although it was not accepted as a nominee. But the film gained a lot of success in India. Although Raj Kapoor died while filming the movie, the portions were completed by Randhir Kapoor, his eldest son. It revolves around the cross-border love story of an Indian man who loses his memory and is washed away to Pakistan in a river and falls in love with a Pakistani girl. Rishi Kapoor played the lead role of Chander Prakash alongside Pakistani actress Zeba Bakhtiyar who played his love interest.

 

Saagar (1985)

Saagar is another such milestone film in Rishi Kapoor’s career and was another entry for the Academy Awards. The film was critically acclaimed upon its release although it did not create as much buzz as Rishi Kapoor’s other films. But over the years, the film is considered a cult film and a classic among film enthusiasts and in 2015, was also screened at the Habitat Film Festival.