Rishi Kapoor Death Anniversary: Senior Journalists Remember the Actor

Rishi Kapoor was known for films like 'Amar Akbar Anthony', 'Karz' and 'Khel Khel Mein.'

Veteran actor Rishi Kapoor passed away on 30 April 2020. On the late actor’s death anniversary, The Quint spoke to senior journalists, Anupama Chopra, Bharathi Pradhan and Rajeev Masand to talk about the legacy of Rishi Kapoor. They got candid about some of their fondest memories of the celebrated actor.

Bharathi spoke about how she first met the late actor during the shoot of Raj Kapoor's film, Bobby. She recalled:

“The first time I ever stepped into a film studio was when I was about 17 years old in college. I had been sent by VP Sathe who was a very well-known PRO (Public Relations Officer). He had a full PR outlet and he was the big boss of it. He had sent me to go and meet Raj Kapoor with the letter so I went to meet Raj Kapoor and he happened to be shooting Bobby. The first person I met was Raj Kapoor and he introduced me to Rishi Kapoor. So Rishi was about a year or so older than me – we were more or less the same age group. Rahul Ravel, our case assistant, was also around the same age. All three of us, I remember, in between shots, we were sitting outside on the lawns and chatting away because when you're the same age, you kind of tend to talk about the same things, same music, same kind of gossip. So it was great fun. This was of course in the early 70s when Bobby was being shot.” 

Bharathi Pradhan, Journalist

She also further elaborated on their equation, “Thereafter, naturally, I had a good equation with Chintu as he moved up in his career. I also continued writing when I became editor of lots of magazines. So we had a good healthy relationship – there were very many fights as well. But a couple of incidents I remember, one incident in which he was shooting for Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan in Kolhapur and I was one of the journalists who had gone to cover the shooting there. He called me for tea to his room, and then we sat and chatted, etc. He was very correct that way, quite a gentleman, saying “Come over for tea.” And then I had to interview him once in Bombay, and he said, “Let's have lunch together.” And he took me to his club. And he was one of those who would compliment you on what you're wearing or open the door for you. So that way he was a real gentleman. It was great fun.”

Also talking about how Rishi Kapoor had certain ‘stubborn streaks,’ “He could also have his stubborn streaks. He was forthright, but that also came with a little bit of harshness. He could tell off anybody. He could just say anything to anybody. Once I remember, he'd invited us to dinner at his place. And all of us are used to late nights where we sit and chat with people after dinner is over. But the moment dinner was over, a few minutes later, he got up and started switching off all the lights because that was his way to say, “Listen, yeah, now enough, all of you go home, I am going to sleep." Neetu (Kapoor) told me that this is something he does very regularly. It's most embarrassing for her because that's what he used to do with all the guests, whether they were colleagues from his industry, journalists or family friends. This is how he was with the guests because for him once the evening was over, he just starts putting off the lights and tell people to go home.”

Anupama, on the other hand, spoke about one of her cherished memories of the veteran actor and how she understood Neetu and Rishi's equation on a personal level, stating:

“So one of my favourite memories of Rishi Sir is when Rajeev (Masand) and I had actually done this live interaction with him with a live audience for MAMI Movie Mela. And it was fab. It was like a masterclass with him. And Neetuji (Kapoor) was sitting in the audience. And it was so funny because he was talking about how he had bruises on his ankles and his elbows because she was constantly trying to make him stop saying whatever he was saying because he would speak his mind all the time, and it would get him into trouble. It was so funny because I completely related to it because Vinod is exactly the same. And I'm also doing this all the time. It's just like kicking him under the table to say, “Just be quiet, don't say this right now.” So I have such a fond memory of that, of him laughing because, you know, she was constantly just trying to make him be quiet.”

Anupama Chopra, Journalist

Rajeev spoke about his enduring love for Rishi Kapoor, he got candid about how he was a fan of the veteran actor when everyone in the late 80s and early 90s was an Amitabh Bachchan fan. He said, "To me, he was the most charming actor on the Hindi film screen."

He also said how everyone was afraid of the actor. Going on to add how he tried to score his first interview with Rishi.

I remember I was working at Star News, and I used to be doing a show called ‘Masand Ki Pasand’. And I don't remember what film it was, but I did a review of a film. In fact, if I'm not mistaken, it was not a Rishi Kapoor film – it was some Hindi film. And I remember getting a call from Rishi Kapoor, I'd never spoken to him before. He called me up to tell me that he really enjoyed it. He had found my number somehow and told me that I was very articulate, and that I did a good job. You can imagine what this is for someone who's a massive fan. I was dumbstruck, I just remember listening and thinking in my head that now I can die in peace. Because my favourite actor in the world has told me that he likes my work. I said, “Thank you.” And then I just mustered up the courage and I said, “Thank you so much, sir, can I request you to do an interview with me? He said, “Of course not.” And he hung up the phone.

Rajeev Masand, Journalist

Rajeev, in the end, added, "This is my first memory of Rishi Kapoor. This is my most enduring memory. He could call you and he could praise you. And then one minute later, say, "Yeah, but I'm not doing an interview with you." And you know, as I got to know him over the years, I actually did get a chance to interview him several times to get to know him."

The celebrated actor was 67 at the time of his passing. He is known for films like Amar Akbar Anthony, Karz, Khel Khel Mein, Kabhie Kabhie, Sagar and Naagin.