|
|
| ENTERTAINMENT - BOLLYWOOD |
| Rishi Kapoor: An Actor Creates His Own Niche | | By R.M. VIJAYAKAR | | | indiawest.com | November 12, 2009 03:38:00 PM |
|
MUMBAI — He’s Hindi cinema’s youngest living legend. A natural at excellence, he’s achieved several impossible feats: winning a National Award for best child actor (he was a teen then) for his debut film “Mera Naam Joker,” and the Filmfare best actor trophy for his first lead role, “Bobby”; he withstood the Bachchan-led action wave of the ‘70s and ‘80s; he outlasted all the “teenage sensations” that came in even a decade later, and introduced more heroines than probably any other hero; and he played the romantic lead for 28 years.
Rishi Kapoor came into the spotlight twice this year for his superb performances in “Luck By Chance” and “Chintuji.”
 Excerpts from an exclusive interview with India-West:
Q: Your special strength was your music. Music directors across generations, from Laxmikant-Pyarelal and R.D. Burman to Rajesh Roshan, Shiv-Hari, Nadeem-Shravan and Jatin-Lalit, have spoken about how you have inspired them.
A: I am very humbled. Father Nature and Mother Time have helped that I have been able to last through three generations of music directors. My greatest compliment came from Mohammed Rafi-saab, who after watching “Amar Akbar Anthony,” said, “Beta, meri awaaz tumhare liye acchi tarah jachti hai” (My voice suits you very well). Rafi-saab had sung for my grandfather, father and all my uncles. Shailendra Singh, Suresh Wadkar, Mohammed Aziz, Udit Narayan and of course Kishore Kumar all sang great songs for me, and I enjoyed enacting them. I had a bit of a problem lip-synching Kumar Sanu’s voice because of his unusual voice and andaz, but he too gave me hits. In fact, I always enjoyed singing and dancing, and I must say that these composers and the singers contributed a lot to my career.
Q: Wasn’t your perennial lover-boy image restrictive to growth as an actor?
A: I would say that I was very lucky — my first lead film, Raj Kapoor’s “Bobby,” was a huge hit. You don’t plan careers over here. I just did my work with sincerity and conviction. In your journey, you have to meet the right associates so that you can develop your status. I do not think that anyone else has lasted for over 25 years as a successful romantic hero — the journey goes from “Bobby” in 1973 to “Karobaar.”
Q: Yes, but all the way till “Khoj” in 1989, you were never allowed to break the goody-goody image.
A: (Smiles) Yes, in a way I gave everyone diabetes and “Khoj” was a change because I was the villain. But I must say that images have a plus point and there is a different kind of longevity that comes in. In those days, “Khoj” did not work. Now, I have played a baddie in “Kucch To Hai” and “Kal Kissne Dekha.”
Q: When you first came in, did the thought of upholding the formidable Kapoor legacy intimidate you?
A: I just worked with commitment. Look, I am not an untrained actor. I learnt in the biggest film institute there can ever be in India: RK Films and Raj Kapoor! The ambience was films all the way. I had to create my own niche, as initially people did say that I would be a copy of Shashi Kapoor!
Q: Would you have fared even better in today’s organized and disciplined milieu?
A: I don’t think so, because we had solid content. Discipline and everything else will only help. Content is missing today, both in films and film music.
Q: When did you decide to quit lead roles? “Karobaar” came in 2000, and so did “Raju Chacha,” your first as a character actor.
A: Frankly, I was bored of singing songs and making money. I did not want to make a fool of myself. I returned the signing amount of so many films. But I did not want to take on any crap as a character actor, so I waited. “Karobaar” was delayed, which is why it came in the same year, otherwise there was a break of a couple of years at least.
Q: Can we talk about a sore issue: “Chintuji”?
A: Why do you call it a sore issue? I enjoyed doing the film, it shaped out very well and got great reviews. The producers ruined the film’s release and there was no marketing. Over here, gambles are placed on favorite horses and not quality, and most corporate honchos do not realize that content decides how each film should be marketed. They should follow UTV’s example where it produces all the niche films under their Spotboy banner and promotes them differently.
Q: You are also doing “Do Dooni Chaar.” That’s a different film too.
A: Yes, but I am reasonably sure that producers Planman International will market it in the right way. It’s a wonderful message film told in a humorous way by a very talented new director, Habib Faisal. Neetu and I are in the leads, and the film has no younger lead pair.
Q: Raj Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor. Rishi Kapoor and Ranbir Kapoor. What are the similarities and differences in the equations?
A: My father launched me, but I did not launch my son — that’s the major difference! My father just gave me a start; after that I was completely on my own. There are naturally going to be differences in the kind of films we like to do, and Ranbir and I keep work away from personal relationships. I am not Ranbir’s secretary and I never discussed my assignments either with my father. One has got to learn to walk on his own — after a point you cannot give your son a finger!
THE BLOCKBUSTERS OF RISHI KAPOOR:
(*: SOLO LEADS OR MAJOR DRAW)
BOBBY (1973)*/ GOLDEN JUBILEE
KHEL KHEL MEIN (1975)*
KABHI KABHIE (1976) / GOLDEN JUBILEE
LAILA MAJNU/1976*
AMAR AKBAR ANTHONY (1977)/PLATINUM JUBILEE (75 WEEKS)
HUM KISISE KUM NAHEEN (1977)* / GOLDEN JUBILEE
SARGAM (1979)* / GOLDEN JUBILEE
KARZ (1980)*
NASEEB (1981) / GOLDEN JUBILEE
PREM ROG (1982)*
COOLIE (1983) / GOLDEN JUBILEE
TAWAIF (1985)*
NAGINA (1986)*/100 WEEKS
KHUDGARZ (1987) – CAMEO
SINDOOR (1987)- CAMEO
CHANDNI (1989) / GOLDEN JUBILEE
HENNA (1991)*
DEEWANA (1992) / GOLDEN JUBILEE
BOL RADHA BOL (1992)* / GOLDEN JUBILEE
|
| | |
|
|