THE HERO

Rishi Kapoor began his career as a child artiste in the song Pyar hua iqrar hua hai from his father, Raj Kapoor’s film Shree 420 (1955). He was just three. He also played his father’s childhood role in Mera Naam Joker. He made his debut as an adult with Bobby (1973) opposite teen beauty Dimple Kapadia. One of the most formidable romantic heroes was born with the film. He wooed girls on screen for the next 30 years and looked good doing it. His melting charm, his expertise in conveying love, his endearing charisma never faded. Rishi was battling with cancer for the past two years. He returned after undergoing treatment for a year in New York. He passed away on April 30, leaving us bereaved. As a tribute, we present a list of his best films down the years where he played the leading man…

BOBBY (1973)

DIRECTOR: Raj Kapoor

CAST: Rishi Kapoor, Dimple Kapadia, Prem Nath and Pran

Raj (Rishi Kapoor) is the son of businessman (Pran), while Bobby is the daughter of a fisherman (Prem Nath). It’s love at first sight for both Raj and Bobby. But his father frowns upon it, misconstruing that Bobby and her father are after his wealth. The teenagers elope. But they are captured by Prem Chopra, who wants to grab the bounty put up by Raj’s father. After being rescued from him, they want to end their lives. They jump into a waterfall. While Bobby’s father saves Raj, she’s saved by his dad. The teen romance became a cult film, given the innocence and chemistry between the pair. Bobby was a musical hit by Laxmikant-Pyarelal. Songs such as Hum tum ek kamre mein, Main shayar to nahi and Mujhe kuch kehna hai remain popular.

RAFOO CHAKKAR (1975)

DIRECTOR: Narender Bedi

CAST: Rishi Kapoor, Neetu Singh, Madan Puri, Rajendra Nath and Paintal

The film follows the basic plot points of the American hit Some Like It Hot (1959) and had both