Rishi Kapoor, one of Bollywood’s most loved actors, was known for his charm, romantic roles, and strong screen presence. Belonging to the legendary Kapoor family, he made a mark with his very first film as a lead actor—‘Bobby’, released in 1973. Directed by his father Raj Kapoor, the film starred a young Rishi Kapoor alongside Dimple Kapadia, who was making her debut. The film became a massive hit and is considered a classic even today.
‘Bobby’ was not just a love story; it was a trendsetter. The film introduced the concept of teenage romance and showcased a rich-boy-meets-poor-girl story that inspired many similar films in the years that followed.
Rishi Kapoor’s Bitter Experience with Rajesh Khanna
While ‘Bobby’ brought success to Rishi Kapoor, he once revealed a bitter memory connected to the film. In his autobiography, Rishi shared an incident involving superstar Rajesh Khanna, which left a lasting impression on him. According to a report by The Indian Express, this experience occurred during the shoot of ‘Bobby’, when Dimple Kapadia had already married Rajesh Khanna.
Rishi Kapoor recalled that during an outdoor shoot of the film, he saw Rajesh Khanna treating his father, Raj Kapoor, disrespectfully. He wrote, “No one really liked Rajesh Khanna in those days. I had seen him ridicule my father during an outdoor shoot of Bobby.” He added that since Dimple was married to Khanna by then, his father had to get Khanna’s permission to shoot the remaining scenes with her. Rishi mentioned, “I had to see my father fawn over him.”
This moment deeply affected Rishi. He admitted that it created a dislike for Rajesh Khanna that he carried for many years. “That unpleasant memory stayed with me,” Rishi wrote.
Rishi Opposed Khanna’s Casting in ‘Satyam Shivam Sundaram’
The memory of what happened during ‘Bobby’ stayed fresh in Rishi’s mind. Years later, when his father Raj Kapoor was planning ‘Satyam Shivam Sundaram’, Rishi strongly protested against casting Rajesh Khanna in the film. He later admitted that he was not proud of that decision, but at the time, his emotions got the better of him.
However, time helped heal old wounds. Rishi shared that he eventually spoke to Rajesh Khanna about the past while making the film ‘Aa Ab Laut Chalen’, which he directed. In that film, he gave Khanna a significant role, showing that he had moved past the earlier bitterness.
Rishi Kapoor’s Legacy Lives On
Rishi Kapoor continued to act in many memorable films and entertained audiences for decades. From romantic hits in the ’70s and ’80s to strong character roles in the 2000s, he proved his talent in every era. Sadly, Rishi was diagnosed with leukemia and passed away on April 30, 2020, at the age of 67. His death was a big loss for Indian cinema, but his legacy continues through his timeless films and the memories he left behind.
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