Rishi Kapoor (1952-2020): The quintessential romantic hero onscreen and in real life.

By Kavita A Chhibber

Because I cannot visualize him without her warm presence, I chose this endearing picture of Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Kapoor to share my thoughts.

Things happen in strange ways. Ajit and I try to watch a movie every night (after a long day of mental work, healing work, consulting work between both of us) just to unwind.

Out of the blue, three or four days ago we decided to watch the 2010 film “Do Dooni Char.” It had the real life couple playing a reel life couple as well. You could see the comfort level between Rishi and Neetu Kapoor in that film. It made reel life look even more real.

I also picked up his autobiography “Khullam Khulla” which I had bought a few years ago as soon as it came out, and started re-reading it.

I used to send random tweets to Rishi Kapoor now and then, because I loved his outspoken candor. He had an endearing and active presence on social media.

My only meeting with him happened when Rishi Kapoor came to Afghanistan with his father Raj Kapoor in the early 70s.

I heard hushed stories that one of the only two prints of his film “Bobby” had been smuggled out of India into Afghanistan. I’d heard that their dual charm helped in the return of the print, but only after “Bobby” was screened there.

I wasn’t really into movies as a kid, so thought nothing much of that brief meeting. But as a young teenage journalist I began to see the huge impact Rishi Kapoor was creating as the quintessential romantic hero, how he held his own against other powerful performers.

I was a kid when Rishi Kapoor won his first award, and that too the National Award, in his debut for “Mera Naam Joker.”

A movie way ahead of it’s time, it flopped initially but now enjoys a cult status. But who can forget Rishi Kapoor’s coming of age performance in that film?

Then came “Bobby” and there was no looking back.

I would see my older girlfriends and cousins going crazy over Rishi Kapoor, and the song “Hum Tum ik kamre mein band hon, aur chaabi kho jaye” become an anthem of sorts for the teeny boppers then.

Like all Kapoor films, his had stellar songs as well!

And what a natural dancer! Who can forget the iconic “Karz.” I also loved all his movies with Neetu. There was an easy chemistry and joie de vivre in their interactions. We would often compare her with the effervescent Geeta Bali. The charm and warmth she portrayed was as infectious.

I don’t think people realized that Rishi was thrown into a rough arena where often, his romantic, chocolate boy persona was at direct odds with many leading characters being written for the new angry young man on the block… yep, that guy on the threshold of super stardom – Amitabh Bachchan.

And not just that but the other action heroes: the incredibly handsome and talented Vinod Khanna and the charismatic and equally talented Shatrughan Sinha were hard on his heels as well.

To have carved his own niche and to make his presence felt had nothing to do with nepotism, or with being a Kapoor, but everything with being a stellar actor.

He was an actor who was loved for five decades by his fans. He went from chocolate boy hero to the evil Rauf Lala in “Agneepath.” It demonstrated his mettle at his craft, his immense versatility.

The changing face of Hindi cinema in the last two decades gave him roles he perhaps never would have been offered when he started out.

I just happened to see “The Body” on Netflix a few days before “Do Dooni Char.” I can honestly say it was because I saw Rishi Kapoor’s name in the credits.

If you saw Rishi Kapoor mentioned, you knew it would be something of substance.

I followed him on Twitter, not just for his humor, his candor, his unique take on things (even his witty scolding an out of line fan!), but also mostly for his joie the vivre, which was infectious.

Rishi Kapoor’s tryst with cancer was handled with courage, and Neetu was his rock again. She became his cheer leader and human angel, helping him fight a valiant battle. The love of family, fans continued their support.

I loved it when Neetu or Ranbir, or some of his friends posted videos and pictures while he was undergoing treatment in NY. Positive, happy pictures, that gave us hope even when we knew inside how rough things could be.

I loved it when he sang to Vikas Khanna “Main shayar to nahin,” but after eating food cooked by him “mujh ko shayari aa gayi.” Another favorite was Neetu and Rishi serenading a hello seated in the backseat of a cab with Anupam Kher. Then there was the clip of Sonu Nigam and him laughing together.

We became those flies on the virtual wall as life was being shared by those close to Rishi. We all felt his joy, when he finally returned home after an 11 month stay in NY.

Social media – the right kind – creates a huge virtual family and envelops you in prayers, blessings and warmth.

Just a few days ago I was telling Sonu Nigam ji, that fans who worship their idols, love them with everything they have, and accept them just as they are – something even family members don’t do. To see how much Rishi Kapoor was and continues to be loved by everyone – family, friends and fans – warms my heart.

His father the great Raj Kapoor gave a message through this song on the screen:

Ik din mit jayega maati ke mol
Jag mein reh jayenge pyare Tere bol
Duje ke hoton ko dey Kar apne geet
Koi nishani chod, phir duniya sey dol“

The son has truly done just that.