RISHI KAPOOR

RISHI KAPOOR - Film Actor

Rishi Kapoor born 4 September 1952 in South Mumbai, Rishi Kapoor is the second son of film director and star Raj Kapoor. He did his schooling with his brothers at Campion School, Mumbai. His brothers are well-known actors: Randhir Kapoor and Rajiv Kapoor.

Rishi Kapoor debuted in his father's 1970 film Mera Naam Joker, playing his father's role as a child. Kapoor had his first lead role opposite Dimple Kapadia in the successful 1973 film Bobby; in an interview he claimed that he was cast in Bobby "by default". Since then he played leading roles as the romantic lead in 92 films. He played opposite his future wife Neetu Singh in films such as Khel Khel Mein (1975), Kabhie Kabhie (1976), Amar Akbar Anthony (1977). Rishi Kapoor got 51 films as the solo lead hero from 1974-1997, however, many of these were not successful at the box office, He was often offered the role of playing the younger brother of main lead heroes in multi hero films where his character would be a romantic one and the story would revolve around the main lead hero of the film. In the 1990s he appeared in successful films such as Henna (1991) and Bol Radha Bol (1992). He was the main lead hero in multi-hero films such as Deewana (1992) and Damini - Lightning (1993). After several box office failures from the mid 1990s, he eventually moved on to supporting roles in the 2000s. In 1999 he directed the film Aa Ab Laut Chalen, starring Rajesh Khanna, Aishwarya Rai, Akshaye Khanna, Kader Khan, Paresh Rawal and Jaspal Bhatti.

His last film as a romantic lead was the delayed release Karobaar: The Business of Love (2000). He has since then played supporting character roles in films like Yeh Hai Jalwa (2002), Hum Tum (2004), Fanaa (2006), Namaste London (2007), Love Aaj Kal (2009) and Patiala House (2010). He also appeared in the British films Don't Stop Dreaming (2007) and Sambar Salsa (2008). He reunited onscreen with Neetu Singh in the film Do Dooni Chaar (2010). He has achived more success as a character actor since 2004 than his earlier career.

Rishi Kapoor has acted in Heena, directed by his brother Randhir Kapoor and his father, the late Raj Kapoor, and in Prem Granth, a movie produced by the three Kapoor brothers (Rishi, Randhir and Rajiv Kapoor, directed by Rajiv Kapoor).

He also acted in the movie Chintu Ji in which he plays himself. The film has references that pertain to Raj Kapoor, his father, his mother, his wife and his earlier films like Chandni, Mera Naam Joker and others. In 2012 he appeared in a villainous role in Agneepath and in the multi-starrer Housefull 2 where he appeared with brother Randhir for the first time. He made a cameo appearance in Yash Chopra's last film as a director, Jab Tak Hai Jaan along with his wife. The film reunited him on screen with Shahrukh Khan after twenty years since Deewana.

Rishi Kapoor married actress Neetu Singh in 1981 after a highly publicized engagement. The couple have two children; Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor and designer Riddhima Kapoor Sahani. Rishi is the paternal uncle of current Bollywood actresses Karishma Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor.