Revisiting Rishi Kapoor’s memorable roles on his first death anniversary

Renowned Indian film star Rishi Kapoor passed away on this day a year ago, after a battle with leukaemia. The artiste, known for his brilliance in romantic films, had a huge fan following. Let us look at some memorable films that he was a part of.

"Bobby" (1973) saw Kapoor in his first leading role as an adult, and audiences got acquainted with his charm. This movie, which also made Dimple Kapadia an overnight star, worked because of the immense chemistry between the lead pair. Both were new faces in 1973 and both endeared as star-crossed lovers fighting the rich-poor divide.

Saagar

Kapoor and Kapadia breathed life into a stirring romantic triangle in "Saagar" (1985). The movie was also a commentary on how love cannot flourish if there's a class divide between two people. If Ravi, the dashing Kapoor, was the rich industrialist, Mona came from a relatively less-wealthy background. The parental opposition, the unrequited love of the best friend Raja (Kamal Haasan) and the wonderful chemistry between the lead pair made this movie memorable.

"Amar Akbar Anthony" (1977), a comedy of three brothers raised in different religious backgrounds, proved that Kapoor could hold his own against Amitabh Bachchan and Vinod Khanna, who were senior to him. The chemistry between the three actors was brilliant.

In "Nagina" (1986), it was Sridevi who played the shape-shifting snake, but Kapoor as her partner gave the film a much-needed charm.

Do Dooni Char

Kapoor spearheaded many films where he played the rich, privileged boy who falls in love with a poor girl. "Yeh Vaada Raha" (1982) opened up opportunities for Kapoor to play heroes in forbidden romances. The film also starred Poonam Dhillon and Tina Munim.

In "Chandini" (1989), Kapoor played a young man who falls in love with a beautiful woman, played by Sridevi, but rejects her when he has a nasty accident that makes him wheelchair bound. He does it for her good and that conflict was beautifully portrayed by Kapoor.

Kapoor & Sons

It was heartening to see Kapoor play a middle-class man in 2010's "Do Dooni Chaar".  He played the schoolteacher Mr Duggal with sprightliness. The movie reunited him with his wife Neetu Singh, on the big screen.

Chandini

In "Agneepath" (2012) Kapoor showed his versatility by playing a ruthless villain.

In "Kapoor & Sons"'(2016), Kapoor played the 90-year-old patriarch who hoped that his family would reunite for his birthday celebrations.

Shrugging the enduring image of a harmless guy in films, Kapoor showed his mean and ruthless side to his fans in "D-Day" (2013), as an elusive gangster.

Kapoor had shot some portions of the comedy film, "Sharmaji Namkeen", in Delhi in February 2020, before his demise.

He will be remembered as an iconic star across the world.