Opening Doorz

By Martin D’Souza | Opening Doorz Editorial | April 30, 2020

The news comes on Whatsapp at 9:38am. Rishi Kapoor is no more. Everything comes to standstill at home. Alexa is asked to play Rishi Kapoor hits. Wife is in touch with her sisters; all three are die-hard Rishi Kapoor fans. Online, tributes pour from the film fraternity, all equally devastated by the news. News of the passing away of Irrfan Khan was just about sinking in. Now Rishi: Bollywood is in a spin!

His legions of fans across the globe too, have ‘stopped to ponder’! Rishi gone? Really???

One of the most spontaneous actors with magic in his smile; a perpetual romantic, heartthrob of millions across the country in an era of the ‘Angry Young Man’!

Rishi Kapoor ignited the screen in 1973 in Bobby as an innocent heart-warming romantic with Dimple Kapadia and made history. “Mein Shayar toh Nahin” had every youngster humming the tune, identifying themselves as Raj.

The Rishi-Neetu pair set the screen on fire and gave back-to-back block-busters: Zinda Dil, Khel Khel Mein, Rafoo Chakkar, Kabhi Kabhi, Anjane Mein, Jhoota Kahi Ka, Dhan Dhaulat and many multi-starrers that were a trend then.

The magic they created on screen was unmatched with any that we see today—warm and spontaneous, unlike the scripted and rehearsed love stories now.

Cupid struck, screen chemistry was indeed real! The Rishi-Neetu pair has been talked about, not for being the perfect couple, but for being a perfect example of what marriage is and should be—being there for each other through the ups and downs.

Even through the last bout of his long illness, they came out triumphant together!

Rest in Peace, Rishi Kapoor. Bollywood will be a poorer place without you.

Also Read: Rishi Kapoor in Mulk