Rishi Kapoor, one of Indian cinema’s finest actors celebrates his birthday today. A veteran actor with more than 150 films to his credit, Rishi Kapoor or Chintu Ji as he is popularly known in Bollywood, faced the camera for the first time in 1955 when he was just three years old. The film was Shree 420. But his actual debut happened in 1970 in Mera Naam Joker where he played the role of a young Raj Kapoor.
Three years later in 1973 Rishi Kapoor was back on the big screen. This time as the hero of the smash hit romantic film Bobby. And so the ‘Chocolate Hero’ of Hindi cinema was born. In the 70s when Hindi film was all about action, anger and angst, Rishi Kapoor stood out as the romantic lead. From Khel Khel Mein, Kabhi Kabhi, Hum Kisi Se Kam Nahin, to Sargam, Saagar, Karz and more, Rishi Kapoor played the role of a lover boy with ease.
The late 80s and early 90s saw the rise of the Khans in Bollywood. Rishi Kapoor had to make way for the younger stars like Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan. But his career is perhaps going through its most interesting phase. Rishi Kapoor has revamped his career with films like D Day, Fanaah, Agneepath, Do Dooni Chaar and Kapoor & Sons, showcasing his versatility.
Lately, Rishi Kapoor has been rocking it on social media. Not someone who holds back his thoughts, the actor has entertained and infuriated people in equal measure with his frequent tweets.
Love it or hate it, Rishi Kapoor in this new avatar has been quite a rockstar. He seems fearless in life and his roles, and he doesn’t mince his words. Perhaps he’s in that stage of his life where he just doesn’t care anymore. And that’s what Pammi Kaur loves about Rishi Kapoor – the bad and bindass B’day boy!
Cameraman: Abhay Sharma
Video Editor: Prashant Chauhan
(This video is from The Quint’s archives and is being republished to mark Rishi Kapoor’s birthday)
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