The dafli goes silent

Manpriya Singh

In 2018, when Rishi Kapoor left for the US for treatment, the actor urged fans and speculators not to assume. “It’s been 45 years plus of wear and tear at the movies,” he cleared the air over a tweet. Well, that’s how the late actor viewed leukemia and that speaks volumes about his way of looking at things as well as laughing them off!

His songs live on

• Hum tum ek kamre me band ho (Bobby, 1973)
• Main shayar toh nahin (Bobby, 1973)
• Om shanti om (Karz, 1980)
• Khullam khulla pyaar karenge (Khel Khel Mein, 1975)
• Bachna ae haseeno (Hum Kisise Kum Naheen, 1977)
• Dafliwale dafli bajaa (Sargam, 1979)
•  Dard-e-dil (Karz, 1980)
• Chehra hai ya chaand khila hai (Sagar, 1985)
• Chandni o meri Chandni (Chandni, 1989)
• Tere mere hoton pe (Chandni, 1989) — IANS

Born and brought up in Mumbai in the first family of Bollywood, he admitted to not being fluent in Punjabi. However, that did not stop his Punjabi characteristics from flaring up every once in a while. Be it the penchant for speaking without thinking or the love for food, which took him from restaurants in New York to old Delhi to Pal dhaba in Chandigarh!

Parcel of love

“He’d ask Jaspal ji as to when was he going to get sarson ka saag from him?” laughs Savita Bhatti, whose mother-in-law did send the culinary parcel of love for the late actor. She adds, “We visited him in the US and I remember telling him how he will be our original and only heartthrob.” Even though Punjabi film industry can’t boast of a film with Rishi Kapoor in the credit rolls, however, the actor played a ‘turbanator’ more than once in his career, in the films Patiala House and Love Aaj Kal. “We have this guy Jassi whom we get from Mumbai and he ties my turban. By the way is it looking okay, has it been tied properly?” he asked the interviewer on the sets of Patiala House. While he was particular about the look of each and every character of his, when it came to his statements, the actor couldn’t care less. But then those who speak from the heart are hardly ever politically correct! Those who’ve lived life to the fullest already hardly need quantum of years to be eternal.

A humble soul

It’s rare to come across illustrious figures who are not intimidating, just like it’s rare to come across bullies who are adored. “There was so much of love in his bullying also,” Smeep Kang, who directed the actor in his first release after returning from the US, Jhootha Kahin Ka, lets us in on some of the lesser-known facets of his personality.

A fan himself and one who grew up watching his movies, he adds, “Despite being a son and a grandson of superstars, a super-star himself, he was a humble guy and one who submitted to the director completely, even if he held a different opinion sometimes. He would give his suggestion and then be okay if it wasn’t acted upon.”

A quality rarely found as anyone from the industry will tell you. Anuj Sharma, the producer of Jhootha Kahin Ka is yet to come to terms with the loss, “He was a man of sheer commitment and dedication towards his work, even though he was sick he made sure he completed the dubbing as promised before he left for his treatment to the US.”

Once again, a quality rarely found, as anyone from the industry will tell you.

manpriya@tribunemail.com

Bollywood mourns

Celebrities from the film industry took to social media to express grief over the passing away of Rishi Kapoor

Amitabh Bachchan

He’s GONE..! Rishi Kapoor .. gone .. just passed away.. I am destroyed !

Madhuri Dixit

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.

Boney Kapoor

Devastated. Shocked. Just reminiscing the time I was blessed to share with you. You shall always be missed. Even at this moment, just thinking about you brings a smile on my face. Condolences to the entire family. #RIPLegend #RishiKapoor

Priyanka Chopra

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.

Salman Khan

Rest in peace chintu sirrr, kaha suna maaf , strength , peace n light to family n friends…

Aamir Khan

We have lost one of the greats today. An amazing actor, a wonderful human being, and 100% a child of Cinema. Thank you for all the joy you brought to our lives. Thank you for being the actor and human being that you were. You will be badly missed Rishiji. Love. a.

Akshay Kumar

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.

Manoj Bajpayee

Couldn’t even finish writing an obituary of our IRRFAN (RIP friend) and the news of RISHI KAPOOR ji passing away has completely crushed me!! No…this is not happening…it’s too much to accept. RIP RISHIJI

Nawazuddin Siddiqui

This is the worst phase for the Indian Cinema, it’s an end to an era. Was fortunate to have worked with him in #Manto and shall cherish those beautiful moments throughout my life A true entertainer #RishiKapoor Sir #RiP

Taapsee Pannu

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

RISHI’S TOP 10 FILMS

Bobby

The 1973 romantic film was the perfect way to launch a star kid in a leading role. It had love, fun, drama and songs that could be heard on a loop. The film was produced and directed by Rishi’s father Raj Kapoor.

Khel Khel Mein

In the 1975 movie, his pairing with now wife Neetu Singh was loved by one and all. It saw them and actor Rakesh Roshan as college students, who play a prank. Soon, the film turns to a gripping thriller.

Amar Akbar Anthony

The Manmohan Desai 1977 multi-starrer is widely considered one of the best examples of Bollywood masala entertainment ever.

Sargam

The 1979 film was about a young woman, who was unable to hear or speak and ill-treated by her stepmother, had a passion for classical dancing. Rishi played a musician, who helped her in becoming a dancer.

Karz

The 1980 reincarnation story, directed by Subhash Ghai, had Rishi playing Monty, who discovers that in his past life he was killed by his gold-digger wife (Simi Garewal).

Chandni

Another romantic film, released in 1989, saw him playing Chandni’s (Sridevi) fiance, Rohit, who gets paralysed in an accident and she is forced to relocate to Mumbai where her boss, Lalit, falls for her.

Do Dooni Chaar

The 2010 comedy-drama was about a middle-class school teacher (Rishi) who tries to keep his wife (Neetu) and children happy in inflationary times.

Agneepath

The audience got to see him in a villainous avatar in the 2012 film. Rishi was cast as Rauf Lala, a kohl-eyed underworld don.

Kapoor & Sons

In the 2016 movie, he played a 90-year-old grandfather, who lusts after a cardboard cutout of Mandakini.

102 Not Out

The 2018 film brought Rishi and Amitabh Bachchan together on the big screen as son and father. While Amitabh played a 102-year-old who enjoys life, Rishi’s character, a 76-year-old, believed that he was too old to enjoy life.

Mulk

The 2018 film revolved around the struggles of a Muslim joint family from a Hindu majority town in India, who fight to reclaim their honour after a member of their family takes to terrorism. — IANS