By Omair Alavi One of the most iconic actors of the 70s and the 80s – Rishi Kapoor – turned 65 yesterday and with his birthday, we go back in time when he was the man on whom the most number of hits were filmed after Rajesh Khanna. His songs to date are played regularly…
SAMAA | Omair Alavi – Posted: Sep 5, 2017 | Last Updated: 4 years ago
By Omair Alavi
One of the most iconic actors of the 70s and the 80s – Rishi Kapoor – turned 65 yesterday and with his birthday, we go back in time when he was the man on whom the most number of hits were filmed after Rajesh Khanna. His songs to date are played regularly on radio and TV and his fans continue to grow. Be it young or old, everyone knows that this Kapoor is popular for running in the woods, wooing heroines and winning them over, even if he had to play a ‘second innings’.
Main Shayar To Nahi – Bobby (1973)
Rishi Kapoor made his debut as a leading man through this film, the songs of which went onto become a rage. Just look at his youthful face and the way he moves around, perfect for a teenager in the 70s. He claims to have bought the award for Best Actor that year but you can’t buy fans who are still growing in large numbers.
Hum Ne Tum Ko Dekha – Khel Khel Main (1975)
Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh were made for each other and this song told us that 5 years before they got married. Shailendra Singh continued from where he left in Bobby and the result was a super hit song and film. The scenario was so popular in those days that it had to be recreated in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.
Bachna Aye Haseeno – Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahi (1977)
Chintu Ji wasn’t the main hero in this Nasir Hussain film but his entry was bigger, better and longer lasting than the hero Tariq. This song by RD Burman was later reused in Rishi’s son Ranbir’s second film, which was incidentally titled Bachna Ae Haseeno as well.
Parda Hai Parda – Amar Akbar Anthony (1977)
Most of the non-Rishi Kapoor fans get confused when they see this moustached kid on the stage – this is Rishi Kapoor at his very best dancing on Mohammad Rafi’s vocals and Laxmikant Pyarelal’s compositions which is still fresh to the ears and eyes.
Tayyab Ali Pyaar Ka Dushman – Amar Akbar Anthony (1977)
Possibly the most famous of Rishi Kapoor’s songs – both moustached and without it. He can be seen jumping around for his girl Salma and although he doesn’t get the girl, in the end, he has the audience’s sympathies who keep rooting for him after the song.
Nazron Se Keh Do – Doosra Aadmi (1977)
Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh were at their best in this Rajesh Roshan song where they gave life to the vocals of Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar. It is still regarded as one of the best duets of the era and is still popular 4 decades later.
Om Shanti Om – Karz (1980)
Rishi Kapoor terms the failure of Karz as one of the most depressing moments of his life – the soundtrack by Laxmikant – Pyarelal was perhaps better than many to follow. In this song, Rishi danced on a giant gramophone record and won over the hearts of many if not all.
Dard e Dil – Karz (1980)
This was one of the last songs by Mohammad Rafi filmed on Rishi Kapoor and in those days, it was considered way ahead of its time. In fact, it still looks like it was composed by some music director of the modern era, with Rishi dancing just like Ranbir does these days.
Hoga Tum Se Pyara Kon – Zamanay Ko Dikhana Hai (1981)
This film by Nasir Hussain was one of the biggest flops of the 80s but its songs are still popular – this number had Shailendra Singh doing playback for Rishi Kapoor and RD Burman doing the rest!
Sagar Jaisi Aankhon Wali – Saagar (1985)
Rishi Kapoor’s career as a hero may have carried on till late 1990s but the first phase of his career was over with Saagar; in this Ramesh Sippy directed love triangle, he had songs by Rd Burman and Kishore Kumar filmed on him and he did justice to them in his Chintu way.
