“Every person is the same… two hands, two legs, eyes, ears and face. Everyone has the same! Then why is that there is someone, only one, whom we adore so much and for whom if we have to give our life, then we can do that laughingly?!”-Prem Rog

Born on 4th September 1852 in Mumbai, Rishi Kapoor belonged to a rich well known family carrying ahead the dynasty of Kapoor family adding more pride and honor to it. He was the son of well-known actor-director, Raj Kapoor and Krishna Raj Kapoor.  He attended Campion School, Mumbai and graduated from Mayo College, Ajmer.

He made his first appearance on the screen at the age of three in Shree 420, however, Mera Nam Hero provided Rishi his debut role. Rishi Kapoor had been a leading man of Bollywood in 70s and 80s. His charm and charisma has fascinated many people around him making him one of the best romantic heroes of his time. 

From being a young chubby and clumsy Raju known to be a class clown among his classmates to the critically acclaimed advocate Murad Ali Muhammad, this legend brought life to Bollywood. His first leading role in Bobby granted him the boost he needed to pursue his career. He was awarded Filmfare Best Actor Award for his performance in making the movie the biggest hit of the decade in India.

He starred in several light-hearted comedies in the same decade. Idealistic Devdhar from Prem Rog is considered his best reforming work breaking the taboos of the society regarding the remarriage of widows. Chander from Henna is again a remarkable character which crosses the national borders amidst the Indo-Pak tension rising the questions on never-ending tension between two countries.

The on screen and off screen love of Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh made them tie a knot on 22nd January 1980. He won Filmfare Critics Award for the best actor for his role in Do Dooni Chaar which starred Neetu as the wife on a middle-class teacher (Rishi Kapoor) trying to buy his own car.

In mid 2000s Rishi transitioned to character acting. In 2007 he made his appearance in an English Indian-directed movies, Don’t Stop Dreaming and Sambar Salsa. In 2010s his roles became diverse. The cliché of romantic hero was replaced by villain in Aurangzeb, gay in Student of the Year, real life mobster: Dawood Ibrahim in D-Day. The Body released on 13th December 2019 has been his last movie of his remarkable career.

“You cannot change your destiny, but you can change your desire.” – Rishi Kapoor.

Rishi Kapoor possessed a talent of self-expression. His self-expression has been a very inspiring force for he played a role in uplifting the world, breaking the taboos and making his voice heard by one and all.  In his autobiography, Khullam Khulla: Rishi Kapoor uncensored, he acknowledges himself as a beef-eating Hindu saying “Don’t equate food with religion.” He also praises his wife for sticking up with him, “Incredibly, she has done it without nagging me to change, and patiently puts up with my whims and moods.”

Rishi Kapoor was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2018. He travelled to New York City for its treatment and returned back to India in September 2019 after a successful treatment. During the pandemic of COVID 19 he was rushed to the hospital suffering from breathing difficulties. A day later he passed away, 30th April 2020. His death came as a severe blow to the Bollywood industry. The country had not yet digested the death of Irrfan Khan when this legend passed away. His death came less than 24 hours after Irrfan Khan’s death. They both had been co-stars of D-Day.

Rishi Kapoor, you will be remembered for your exceptional work and you will continue to inspire people for fighting and battling the cancer in the extraordinary situation of COVID-19. You did not let this somatic disease make you suffer psychologically. 

“I did not die even after being dead. And neither can I live being alive.”– Deewana