Birth Date:04 September 1952
About Me
Rishi Kapoor: The Eternal Lover Boy and Character King of Bollywood!
Rishi Kapoor (September 4, 1952–April 30, 2020), affectionately known as 'Chintu,' was one of the most prolific and enduring stars of Hindi cinema. With a career that spanned five decades, he transitioned effortlessly from the industry's quintessential "chocolate boy" romantic lead to a powerhouse character actor, leaving behind an unforgettable cinematic legacy.
Early Life and The Kapoor Dynasty
Born in Mumbai, Rishi Kapoor was the second son of the legendary actor-director Raj Kapoor and the grandson of cinema pioneer Prithviraj Kapoor, firmly planting him within the prestigious Kapoor film dynasty. His siblings, Randhir Kapoor and Rajiv Kapoor, also pursued acting careers.
Rishi's on-screen journey began at the age of three with a brief, uncredited appearance in the iconic song "Pyaar Hua, Iqraar Hua" from his father's film, Shree 420 (1955). His first major role, as an adolescent, came in his father’s magnum opus, Mera Naam Joker (1970), a performance that won him the National Film Award for Best Child Artist.
The Romantic Era: Filmography Highlights (1973–2000)
Rishi Kapoor's official debut as an adult lead was in Raj Kapoor’s directorial venture, the teen romance Bobby (1973), opposite Dimple Kapadia. The film was a massive blockbuster and catapulted him to instant stardom, earning him the Filmfare Award for Best Actor. For the next two decades, Rishi Kapoor dominated the romantic genre, starring as the charming hero in over 90 films.
He starred in major blockbusters like Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), where he played the charming Muslim brother, Akbar Illahabadi, and Kabhi Kabhie (1976), a Yash Chopra romantic drama that further cemented his star status. His musical reincarnation thriller Karz (1980) became a cult classic, celebrated for its superhit soundtrack. His role in Prem Rog (1982) was critically and commercially successful, showcasing one of his most powerful romantic performances. In the late 80s, he delivered major hits in romantic fantasies and musicals like Nagina (1986) and Chandni (1989), often paired memorably with Sridevi. His popularity endured into the early 90s with successes like Deewana (1992) and Bol Radha Bol (1992).
He married his frequent co-star, actress Neetu Singh, in 1980. They shared screen space in many popular films including Khel Khel Mein, Rafoo Chakkar, and Amar Akbar Anthony.
The Second Innings: Character Actor Par Excellence (2000–2020)
In the 2000s, Rishi Kapoor successfully transitioned away from his romantic hero image to embrace diverse, often unconventional character roles, marking a glorious 'second innings' in his career. This phase truly illuminated the depth and versatility of his acting prowess.
He transitioned smoothly into impactful supporting roles in films like Hum Tum (2004) and Fanaa (2006). A significant highlight was his highly relatable and acclaimed performance as a middle-class schoolteacher in Do Dooni Chaar (2010), which earned him the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor. Demonstrating his versatility, he then played a menacing and chilling antagonist, Rauf Lala, in Agneepath (2012), a performance that won him numerous awards for Best Performance in a Negative Role. He delivered a powerful portrayal of a fictionalized Dawood Ibrahim in D-Day (2013). His endearing and nuanced role as the 90-year-old family patriarch in Kapoor & Sons (2016) won him the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor. He delivered another critically lauded performance in Mulk (2018) as a Muslim man fighting to prove his family's patriotism, and shared the screen with Amitabh Bachchan in 102 Not Out (2018).
He was honored with the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008. His final film, Sharmaji Namkeen (2022), was released posthumously, serving as a poignant farewell to his fans.
Rishi Kapoor's legacy is defined not just by his immense success as a romantic icon but by his fearless embrace of challenging and diverse roles late in his career, cementing his reputation as one of Indian cinema's finest and most versatile actors.
Rishi Kapoor's films' availability: You can watch Rishi Kapoor's films on B4U Movies Channels of India, UK, USA, Canada and UAE. You can check country-specific schedule pages here.
- B4U Movies India
- B4U Kadak India
- B4U Movies UK
- B4U Movies USA
- B4U Movies Canada
- B4U Plus UAE
