Rishi Kapoor (1952-2020): 70s' kickass lover boy to Agneepath's karakul-cap Rauf Lala

Back in 1970, in Raj Kapoor's Mera Naam Joker, in one of the bold scenes  which perhaps only Kapoor could embed in those days, actress Simi Garewal (playing Mary, a teacher) was shown undressing in a bush after a swim. 

A blue-eyed teenager coming to grip with his raging hormones  would ogle from the cover of a tree at her teacher's bare body with some amount of guilt and excitement as she undresses.

This boy (playing Raju in the iconic film) trying to come to terms with his first love, his teacher, and adolescence sexuality was Rishi Kapoor.

Only three years later in 1973 he exploded in the silver screen as the lover boy of the 70s with Bobby, opposite Dimple Kapadia.

Well, even in Bobby, he in one scene had almost exposed his  butt to the more experienced Aruna Irani who rushes out of his room in splits.  He was game to his father, showman Raj Kapoor's dare- of pushing the envelope of commercial Hindi cinema permissibility.

Millions of cine-goers loved Bobby. And Rishi Kapoor, the lover boy of 70s and 80s through 90s who would not just romance his leading ladies, including his actress wife Neetu Singh Kapoor, but also shake a leg to disco beats in gorgeous outfits!!!

Just a day after India lost its one of the finest talent Irrfan Khan, actor Rishi Kapoor breathed his last at a Mumbai hospital on Thursday leaving the entire Indian film industry in grief. He was 67.

Kapoor, who had stolen millions of hearts with his spirited screen presence and lover boy roles in the 1970s through the 80s, died at 8:45 am.

He was admitted in Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital on Wednesday. Rishi Kapoor was under treatment for cancer in USA earlier though it was assumed that he had recovered.

One of the most well known Kapoors of the Kapoor clan of Bollywood, he is survived by his wife Neetu Singh Kapoor, actor son Ranbir Kapoor and daughter Riddhima Kapoor.

Rishi Kapoor was born on Sept 4, 1952 in Mumbai as the second son of  Bollywood legend Raj Kapoor and his wife Krishna Raj Kapoor . He was the grandson of illustrious actor Prithviraj Kapoor.

His brothers, Randhir Kapoor and Rajiv Kapoor; maternal uncles, Prem Nath, Rajendra Nath, Narendra Nath and Prem Chopra; and paternal uncles, Shashi Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor are all actors.  His two sisters are late Ritu Nanda and Rima Jain. He did his schooling with his brothers at Campion School, Mumbai and Mayo College, Ajmer.

While Bobby would always remain etched in memory of Bollywood fans, among his other successful films were Amar Akbar Anthony, Sargam, Karz, Prem Rog, Chandni, Saagar, Ajooba, Damini - Lightning.

While Big B regaled audience in his Anthony Gonsalves avatar in Amar Akbar Anthony and Vinod Khanna played a police inspector, Rishi Kapoor would steal hearts romancing his wife Neetu Singh in the film playing Akbar Illhabadi/Raju and singing kawalis.

His lover boy image started changing from 80s itself with more intense portrayals in films like Prem Rog against Padmini Kolhapuri or even in Yash Chopra's Chandni opposite Sreedevi.

And his experiments with roles and transition from the lover boy image of the 70s continued. Though initially reluctant to play the character of Rauf Lala in Agneepath, a remake in 2012 of the 90s Agneepath starring Amitabh Bachchan, he would be remembered for his performance in a negative character in this film, wearing kurta-pajama, a karakul cap and eyes rimmed with kajal.

Post 2000, Kapoor with growing age had started doing supporting roles and he caught limelight once again with his acting in films like Fanaa, Namastey London, Love Aaj Kal, Patiala House.

In 2018, Kapoor reunited with his long-time friend and co-star Amitabh Bachchan in a Hindi film titled as 102 Not Out.

Some of his last films include Taapsee Pannu starrer Mulk and The Body which featured Emraan Hashmi in the lead role.

He had returned to India last September after almost a year under treatment abroad.

Bollywood mourns

Confirming the news of Kapoor's demise, acting legend Amitabh Bachchan had tweeted, "He's GONE .. ! Rishi Kapoor .. gone .. just passed away ..I am destroyed !" He, however, deleted the tweet later.

Akshay Kumar tweeted, "It seems like we’re in the midst of a nightmare...just heard the depressing news of #RishiKapoor ji passing away, it’s heartbreaking. He was a legend, a great co-star and a good friend of the family. My thoughts and prayers with his family."

Priyanka Chopra Jonas tweeted, "My heart is so heavy. This is the end of an era. #Rishisir your candid heart and immeasurable talent will never be encountered again. Such a privilege to have known you even a little bit. My condolences to Neetu maam, Ridhima, Ranbir and the rest of the family. Rest in peace Sir."

Actress Parineeti Chopra tweeted, "This cannot be true! Rishi sir was my favourite man,and favourite co-star ever! I still remember being nervous around him in Shuddh Desi Romance. He would put me at ease and treat me just like a friend! Will never forget every advice,every joke he told."

Kapoor's Mulk co-star Taapsee Pannu tweeted, "Been trying to write something n I can’t put my mind n hands in sync. More like the heart in between is just not able to comprehend this. That laugh, that sense of humour, the honesty and even the bully he was , will be missed. No one like you #RishiKapoor."

Actress Twinkle Khanna tweeted, "Chintu Uncle will be missed terribly. There was never a dull moment when he was around. He was a legend on screen and also off it. Heartbreaking for all of us who loved him."

Madhuri Dixit Nene said, "I've had the honour of working with Rishi ji. A larger than life person, so outspoken yet so warm. We have lost a brilliant actor today. Still can't believe it.. absolutely heartbroken. My prayers are with the family during this tough time."

Vicky Kaushal wrote a post on Instagram, "Absolutely shattered and heart broken to wake up to the news of the loss of Rishi Kapoor Ji, one of the liveliest persons amongst us. The last time when I met him in NY, he was fighting the battle like a boss, with Neetu Ma’m by his side and a smile on his face. This is utterly tragic and incomprehensible. My condolences to his family. May his soul be resting in peace and raising a toast to a life well lived with the Gods in heaven."

Ranveer Singh also shared a post on Instagram.

Shilpa Shetty said, " Waking up to a news like this is gut-wrenching! A legendary actor, loved by millions of people around the world has just left us. Your style, brilliance, your smile, and joie de vivre... will be dearly missed, Rishi ji️ Your legacy will live on for generations to come. My heart goes out to @neetu54 ji & the entire family in this tough time!🏻"

Bhumi Pednekar said, " It’s a great great loss . RIP #rishikapoor sir .Your legacy will live on forever sir 🏻"

Imtiaz Ali said in a long post, " Time is passing. The other day he was on my set. I was nervous, he was the biggest actor I had worked with. I touched his feet and asked him to guide me. He guided me. Another day I invited him to my brother’s wedding in Kashmir. Nobody comes so far, these are formalities. He came. And when the baraat was entering the venue he said -“you guys go in front, I will come in the end”.

I understood later that he did not want the attention to shift from the groom to himself. And today he left. Something precious became past today. But this time will not take him away. I haven’t met him for so long anyway, I will think he is still there, smiling. And I can still think of the little time I could spend with him, and smile with him."

Images: YouTube