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Rishi Kapoor, second son of Raj Kapoor, debuted as a child in the 1970 film Mera Naam Joker and became a romantic lead in 1973 with Bobby. Despite 40 solo flops, he delivered hits like 1980’s Karz and 1986’s Nagina and later earned acclaim for supporting roles in 2012’s Agneepath and 2006’s Fanaa. He died of leukemia in 2020.
Names, aliases, and relatives of Rishi Kapoor — birth name, kin, and personal ties.
Rishi Kapoor by the numbers — life, work, and family.
Rishi Kapoor — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.
Rishi Kapoor was born on September 4, 1952 in Bombay, State of Bombay, India, to Krishna and Raj Kapoor. The second son of the film director and actor, he attended Campion School in Mumbai with his brothers Randhir and Rajiv, and later Colonel Brown Cambridge School. With his uncles Shashi and Shammi Kapoor also actors, he grew up surrounded by cinema.
Rishi Kapoor debuted as a child actor playing his father’s role in the 1970 film Mera Naam Joker. His first lead role came opposite Dimple Kapadia in the 1973 hit Bobby. He formed a popular on-screen pair with Neetu Singh, marrying her in 1980; only one of their solo films, Rafoo Chakkar, was a hit. From 1974 to 1997, he starred in 51 solo-hero films but only 11 were hits, including 1979’s Sargam, 1980’s Karz, and 1982’s Prem Rog. He found greater success in multi-star films from 1976 to 2000, with 25 hits out of 41 films, such as 1977’s Amar Akbar Anthony and 1976’s Kabhie Kabhie. In the 1990s, his hits included 1992’s Deewana and 1993’s Damini. After a string of flops, he transitioned to supporting roles in the 2000s, appearing in 2004’s Hum Tum, 2006’s Fanaa, and 2009’s Love Aaj Kal. He played a villain Rauf Lala in 2012’s Agneepath and starred in the British film Don’t Stop Dreaming.
Rishi Kapoor married actress Neetu Singh on January 22, 1980. The couple had two children: daughter Riddhima Kapoor Sahni and son Ranbir Kapoor, who became a leading Bollywood actor. Rishi was the nephew of actors Shashi Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor, and the brother of actors Randhir and Rajiv Kapoor. He was also the uncle of Kareena Kapoor and Karisma Kapoor.
Rishi Kapoor worked in Indian cinema for five decades, leaving a legacy as one of Bollywood’s most enduring romantic leads. His early hits defined 1970s youth culture, and his later villainous role in the 2012 film Agneepath earned critical praise. He inspired many actors, including his son Ranbir Kapoor, who often cited him as an influence. Posthumously, his contributions were celebrated in the 2023 documentary series The Romantics. Audiences remember him for his charismatic screen presence and the energy he brought to roles in films like Bobby and Karz.
Every award, honor, and recognition received by Rishi Kapoor — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.
A wall of memorable lines from Rishi Kapoor — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.
I Landed in Bobby by Default. There Was a Misconception That the Film Was Made to Launch Me as an Actor. the Film Was Actually Made to Pay the Debts of Mera Naam Joker. Dad Wanted to Make a Love Story and He Did Not Have Money to Cast Superstar Rajesh Khanna in the Film. so Story Was Converted to a Teenage Love Story and I Was Cast.
Little-known facts about Rishi Kapoor — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.
Son of Raj Kapoor; husband of actress Neetu Singh; brother of actors Randhir Kapoor and Rajeev Kapoor; father of Ranbir Kapoor; nephew of actors Shashi Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor, and actress Jennifer Kendal; brother-in-law of actress Babita Kapoor; paternal uncle of actresses Kareena Kapoor, Karisma Kapoor; cousin of actor Kunal Kapoor.
Father of actor Ranbir Kapoor.
Rishi Kapoor did 41 multi star cast films from 1976-2000 where he was cast as 2nd or 3rd lead hero. Of them 16 were flops and 25 were hits.
Small time actor Rajesh Laher was considered his Look a like. They even played twins in the film Zinda Dil.
Rishi’s on-screen pair with Neetu Singh was popular in 1974-1981 but the pair was successful only in multi-star cast films, since films with Rishi as lead – like Zehreela Insaan, Zinda Dil, Doosara Aadmi, Anjane Mein, Jhoota Kahin Ka, Dhan Daulat – were box office flops. The Rishi-Neetu pair was successful in 5 multi-star films like Khel Khel Mein, Kabhie Kabhie, Amar Akbar Anthony, Pati Patni Aur Woh, Duniya Meri Jeb Mein and in only one solo lead film with Rishi as hero – Rafoo Chakkar.
Rishi Kapoor had acted in 51 multi-starers, of which 25 were hits. Rajesh Khanna’s performance was hailed and applauded by audience and critics in Ghar Parivaar and Zamana. Similarly Dharmendra overshadowed Rishi in Sitamgar, Katilol Ka Kaatil and Sher Dil; Kamal Hasan’s acting beat Rishi in Sagar; Dilip Kumar and Pran were highlights of Duniya.
His brother is Randhir Kapoor, whose wife is Babita Kapoor. Babita’s aunt is classic actress Sadhana Shivdasani, whom his son Ranbir Kapoor escorted on the ramp of a fashion show for charity in 2014. A cheerful Sadhana wore a beautiful pink sari, while being on the arm of the handsome dapper Ranbir, in what turned out to be her last public appearance. A year-and-a-half later, she died from a high fever. Rishi went to her house to pay his last respects and was touched to see that she had kept a framed picture of her and Ranbir from the fashion show on her nightstand.
Rishi Kapoor got 51 films as the solo lead hero from 1974-1997 but of them, 40 were box office flops. He managed only 11 hits: Bobby, Laila Majnu, Rafoo Chakkar, Sargam, Karz, Prem Rog, Nagina, Honeymoon, Banjaran, Heena and Bol Radha Bol.
Cousin of Bollywood actors Karan Kapoor, Prem Kishen and Monty Nath.
Cousin of Karan Kapoor, who is Shashi Kapoor’s son.
Son in law of costume designer and actress Rajee Singh.
Grand nephew of Trilok Kapoor, who was Prithviraj Kapoor’s brother.
Nephew of Prem Nath and Bina Rai.
Worked in the Mumbai film industry.
Dad Raj Kapoor’s maternal uncle was actor Jugal Kishore Mehra. Jugal married actress Anwari Begum and adopted her daughter actress Zarine, also known as Nasreen. Nasreen is the mother of actress and singer Salma Agha. This makes Rishi Kapoor a cousin of Salma Agha. Rishi is also the uncle of actress Sasha Agha, Salma’s daughter.
Feroz Khan approached Rishi Kapoor for the role of Fardeen’s father in Janasheen. Rishi Kapoor refused the film for unknown reasons. Harsh Chhaya was then signed.
Rishi Kapoor went for a stage show in the Fiji Islands in 1986. Accompanying him were Hema Malini, Dimple Kapadia, Helen, Asrani, Shailendra Singh and Prem Chopra. A young Ranbir Kapoor also made an appearance on stage. All concerts held in Fiji were sold out. It was called Bobby Nite.
Went for a world tour concert with Rekha and Rahul Roy in September 1991. They visited cities in Canada, the United States and England.
Starred in the shelved film Maang Saja Do Mere from 1984. It was to co-star Sanjeev Kumar, Ranjeeta Kaur, Asha Parekh, Sofia Khan, Kader Khan, Asha Sachdev, Lalita Pawar, and Amjad Khan. Prayag Raj was to direct.
Was offered Tandoori Nights TV serial by BBC. He could not adjust his dates.
In the 1970s, Kim was set to debut in a remake of the 1960 film Love in Simla, titled Love In Switzerland. She replaced Simple Kapadia. Starring Rishi Kapoor, but she was disappointed when the project never materialized. It was to be directed by R.K. Nayyar.
After Chandni, Yash Chopra wanted to make a film titled Lalla Roukh with Rishi Kapoor and Bhagyashree. Rishi did not like the idea so the film was dropped for Darr.
Starred in the shelved 1990 film Ghar Ka Chor from Srilalitha Kalanjali Productions, co-starring Madhuri Dixit, Sahila Chaddha, Satyajeet, Tanuja, Bindu, Tiku Talasania, Santosh Burman, Asrani, and Aruna Irani, with music by Laxmikant Pyarelal. K. Ravi Shankar was to direct.
In 1982, Producer Director J Mahendran wanted to remake his Tamil hit, Nenjathai Killathe. He had signed Rishi Kapoor and wanted Padmini Kholapure. He finally signed Kamal Haasan’s niece Suhasni Haasan. The film got shelved.
His film Swarg Se Pyar Ghar Hamara, from 1991, was completed but not released. It co-starred Shashi Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Meenakshi, Vidyashri, Amjad Khan, Kader Khan, and Gulshan Grover. The music was by Laxmikant Pyarelal, the producer was Waris Pictures, and the director was Kalptaru.
His film Rishta Ho To Aisa, also known as Do Bhai, from 1994, was completed but not released. It co-starred Jeetendra, Juhi Chawla, Sujata Mehta, Swapna, Paresh Rawal, Ashok Saraf, Kader Khan. The music was by Laxmikant Pyarelal, the producer was Marco Enterprises, and the director was Kalptaru.
His film Aaj Ka Sansar, also known as Bade Ghar Ki Bahu, from 1995, was completed but not released. It co-starred Suresh Oberoi, Farha, Swapna, Tanuja, Shafi Imandar, Kader Khan, Pran, and Paresh Rawal. The music was by Laxmikant Pyarelal, the producer was A.K.Movies Maker, and the director was Kalptaru.
His film Kanyadaan from 1993 was completed but not released. It co-starred Manisha Koirala, Anu Aggarwal, Deepti Naval, Anupam Kher, Kiran Kumar, Farida Jalaal, and Sayeed Jaffery. The music was by Adesh Srivastav, the producer was Sudhakar Bokhade, and the director was Raju Subramaniam.
His film Chirag was completed but not released. After the film was completed, the producer failed to get any buyers. The producer then made a very brave and unusual decision. He remade the entire film again as Beti No.1. But this time he replaced Rishi Kapoor with Govinda and Mohini with Rambha. Chirag co-starred Mohini, Aruna Irani, Mohnish Bahl, Mohan Joshi, Prem Chopra, Johny Lever, and Satish Kaushik. The music was by Rajesh Roshan, the producer was A. Saptrishi Films, and the director was T. Rama Rao. A song from Rishi Kapoor’s unreleased film Chirag, was later used in the film Khopdi – The Skull. The song was Ek Main Ek Tu Beech Mein Jaadu.
Cousin of actor Jatin Sial, who is aunt Urmila’s son.
Cousin to actress Sanjana Kapoor, Shashi Kapoor’s daughter.
Nephew of actor and politician Vicky Kapoor, also known as Har Har Mahadev. Vicky is the brother of director Vijay Kapoor and son of Trilok Kapoor.
Nephew is director Siddharth Malhotra, who is cousin Prem Kishen’s son.
Niece is actress Akanksha Malhotra, cousin Prem Kishen’s daughter.
Starred in the shelved film Sindoor Ki Aawaz, also known as Purab Paschim Uttar Dakshin, from 1990 from Evergreen Arts Pictures. It was to co-star Jaya Pradha, Raj Babbar, Madhavi, Aruna Irani, Raja Babu, Rohini Hattangadi, Saeed Jaffery, and Shreeram Lagoo, with music by Rajesh Roshan. R. Kumar was to produce, and P. Chandra Sekhara Reddy was to direct.
Starred in the shelved movie Waqt Gawah Hain, also known as Karam Bandhan, from 1995 from Pitra Chhaya Productions. It was to co-star Dharmendra, Mamta Kulkarni, Sonu Walia, Moushami Chatterjee, Johnny Lever, Ram Mohan, Ashok Saraf, Avtar Gill, Ram Mohan, Shyama Deshpandey, with music by Anand Milind. Ugam Sidhawat, Gehralal Mewada, and S.N. Mewara were to produce, and Raj N. Sippy was to direct. Raaj Kumar was initially signed for Dharmendra’s role. He kept insisting that Rishi Kapoor be replaced. He felt Rishi looked too old to play his son in law. Raaj Kumar kept insisting his son Puru Raaj Kumar do the role. The producers finally got tired of Raaj Kumar and replaced him.
Starred in the shelved movie Tu Hi Meri Zindagi from 1990 from B.M.B. Productions. It was to co-star Shammi Kapoor, Sri Devi, Rajnikant, with music by Bappi Lahiri. Suresh Bokadia was to produce, and K.C. Bokadia was to direct.
Niece Shaira Kapoor, Shashi Kapoor’s granddaughter, worked as production designer in Bombay Velvet.
His cousin is Sanjay Kapoor the CEO of Talking Pictures Productions in Bahrain. Sanjay is the son of director Vijay Kapoor. Vijay Kapoor has another son named Ajay Kapoor. Ajay Kapoor is the Executive Director at Indra Media Pvt Ltd. Ajay is Zee Sports – Head of Programming. Ajay has also been a producer of several drama series. He has also been the Nimbus Television – Creative Director. Ajay has also been the producer of Ten Sports. Director Vijay Kapoor also has a daughter named Anuradha settled in India. Anuradha has a daughter settled in Australia.
Starred in the shelved film Emkay Films Aakhri Jaam from 1980, starring Rishi Kapoor, Rameshwari, Raj Kiran, Shakti Kapoor, music by Laxmikant Pyarelal, directed by Mohan Kumar.
Starred in a shelved film directed by Jyotin Goel in 1994. It was to co-star Juhi Chawla and Saif Ali Khan.
Nephew of director Vijay Kapoor, who is Trilok Kapoor’s son.
Nephew of actor Subbiraj.
Maternal uncle is Ravi Nath Malhotra, brother of Prem Nath, Rajendra Nath, Narendra Nath. Ravi was the secretary of Dimple Kapadia and father of director Karan Malhotra. Ravi has another son named Rakesh Malhotra who is married to actor Jagdish Raj’s daughter Roopa. Roopa is also the sister of actress Anita Raj and director actor Bobby Raaj.
Former secretary is actor Ghanshyam Rohera.
Starred in the shelved film Jaya Pradha Movie International’s Sawaan Ka Mahina from 1989. Starring Rishi Kapoor, Jaya Pradha, Rita Bhadhuri, Raja Babu, Kader Khan, Asrani, Aruna Irani, music by Bappi Lahiri, Raja Babu was to produce, and Kalpataru was to direct.
Grand nephew of actor and R.K. studio manager Vishwa Mehra. Vishwa Mehra was Rishi’s grandmother Ramsarni Mehra’s first cousin.
Starred in the shelved movie Khabardar from 1978 from the Shinde brothers. It was to co-star Sanjeev Kumar, with music by Rahul Dev Burman. Ashok Shinde was to produce, and S. Ramanathan was to direct.
Starred in the shelved movie Daan Dahej from 1985 from Prakash Mehra Productions. It was to co-star Raj Babbar, Anil Kapoor, Padmini Kholapure, and Meenakshi Sheshadri. Prakash Mehra first announced the film in 1983 with Rakhee Gulzar, Rishi Kapoor, Dimple Kapadia, and Padmini Kholapure.
Starred in an untitled shelved film from Jugnu Films in 1976 or 1977. It was to co-star Shoma Anand, and get directed by Pramod Chakravorthy. The film was launched after the release of Barood.
Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Rishi Kapoor.
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