Bollywood’s Original Chocolate Boy- Rishi Kapoor Sir

Life…….. Life is unpredictable.

We often hear this term in our life. But it seems we never came across to experience it, until morning of 30th April. The Legend actor, Bollywood’s Original Chocolate boy, Rishi Kapoor Sir, passed away on 30th April, 2020 in Mumbai at the age of 67. And the most saddening part is that, he left us when we were just trying to get over with the loss of another star actor, Irfaan Khan who passed away on 29th April, 2020 at the age of just 53. Losing two great actors back to back, when India and basically the whole world is fighting with COVID 19 Pandemic is heart-breaking for all of us. We grew up seeing these two actors bringing the character alive on silver screen. What actually happened to Rishi Sir that he had to bid us Good bye? Rishi Sir was diagnosed with Bone Marrow Cancer in 2018, for which he took treatment in New York for a year and came back to India hale and hearty. But destiny had its own plans and he lost his battle to the disease.

Life story of Rishi sir is no less than an inspiration for us and young actors who look to do big in the Bollywood. Rishi Kapoor was born on 4th September, 1952 in Mumbai. Coming from the family who had already given us superstars, there was always a burden on him to live by his family’s name .His father was an actor, his grandfather was an actor. His maternal and paternal uncles where actor too. Surely he must have felt that burden. Yet we all know, he did justice to Kapoor surname with his splendid acting skills. Many of us might think that he did his debut in acting with movie Bobby, in 1973. But it is a lesser known fact that, his first role was of ‘toddler’ in the movie Shree 420. He also played the role of ‘young Raj Kapoor’ in the movie Mera Naam Joker.

Throughout his career span of over 47 years, he acted in more than 120 movies & played romantic roles in 100 movies. His versatile acting, stellar performances made us fall in love with him on screen. Be it a romantic role like he did in his first innings or more challenging and Unconventional roles such as in Mulk, 102 Not Out, Patiala House, Rajma Chawal etc. each and every role he played on screen had a small pinch of learning hidden in it. I particularly remember watching his one movie always which was Karz. Even his performance in latest Netflix movie Rajma Chawal made me go like ‘Wow’!! How original a person can act! Even though he was a big name in the industry, he had his share of struggles with some of his movies which turned the box office ratios down. Many might not know but he even tried his hand in Direction, with movie Aa Ab Laut Chalein in 1999. The film performed below the par and it remained as the only movie which he directed.

What legacy did he leave behind? Other than great movies, great roles and some heart touching songs, What exactly did he left behind? His life story is nothing less than inspiration for us all. He taught us, to love what you are doing, make the most of the opportunities you get in hand and how to put the hard work for success. Many a times we come across a situation in life when we are in dilemma, as to whether we should continue with the struggle or give up already? Did you ever come across such path? I did honestly. But he taught us, no matter how hard the situation is, never give up. Even in his battling times with Cancer and during his treatment in New York, he was smiling all the time and didn’t show even a sign of pain on his face. He knew he was a role model for the youth so he needed to be strong for his fans and family. And I would like to tell you, He did made us stronger mentally to face any problem life throw at us. Even at the last moments of his life in HN Reliance Hospital in Mumbai, he was smiling, laughing and entertaining the doctors and the hospital staffs.

When he can, why can’t we? Never give up no matter comes in front you. Wear a smile on your face and tell the problems- ‘I am ready to face you’. Put all your efforts in the work you do, like he did. He made us realize that even if you are known name in the industry, it does not matter till you put your hard work and passion into it. Then only you will get success. Most of us try really hard to get success in work we do but in reality it is not money that drives us to success. It is being true to your work, that will make you touch skies. Rishi Sir surely portrayed this through his films and his nature.

At the end, I want to tell you guys that, it’s true we lost two of our Superstars in the span of two days, but if you really want to pay tribute to them, then you must learn from their life, the lessons and engulf them in your life. We must not cry when we remember the legend Rishi Sir or Sahabzade Irfaan Khan Sir, instead we should smile and remember their great contributions because this is what they also must have wanted from us. With a heavy heart I, end this blog by sharing a famous dialogue of Rishi Sir, from the movie ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’ which is one of my favourites personally-

“Har ishq ka ek waqt hota hai, Woh hamara waqt nahi tha, Par iska yeh matlab nahi ki woh ishq nahi tha”

With this I request you all to spread love, be safe and be healthy. Om Shanti.