Rewind 2017 spl chat with Rishi Kapoor: 'My struggle began after 'Bobby' became a hit'

On April 30 2020, actor Rishi Kapoor succumbed to cancer after a two-year-long battle. The man, known for his charm, smile and making sweaters fashionable on the big screen, had an illustrious career in Bollywood. The rightful heir of Raj Kapoor, he matured over the years from the quintessential besotted lover in 'Bobby' and 'Hum Kisi Se Kam Nahi' to the strict-yet-loving family patriarch in 'Patiala House', and a cold-looking villain in 'Agneepath' which was a remake of his friend Amitabh Bachchan's film.

Here are the excerpts from an exclusive interaction in January 2017 at the time of launching his memoir 'Khullam Khulla'.

'Khullam Khulla' has hit the stands, and its author, Rishi Kapoor, is a busy man. The actor, along with film journalist Meena Iyer, has chronicled his life in films and beyond, in his own words. Not one to mince words, ever, the 64-year-old's tale is a candid account of his tinsel-town innings, his family and his choices.

In a freewheeling chat with Lopamudra Ghatak, the actor talks about the inspiration behind his book, being Raj Kapoor's son, his social media stint and why he decided to go the 'Khullam Khulla' way.


Q. 'Khullam Khulla' is an honest attempt at recording your innings as a son, actor and father. What made you decide to write a book?

Rishi Kapoor: The decision to write 'Khullam Khulla' happened after my close friend Suresh Kohli, who is alive no more, persuaded me to record my life. He and I chatted about this for three years, discussing how no-one from the Kapoor clan had ever written a book. A couple of publishing houses, too, had shown interest and, collectively, things worked out for 'Khullam Khulla'.

Q. There have been books about your uncles, Shammi and Shashi Kapoor, that have been written by others. You are the first Kapoor to tell your own tale. Did you feel that entailed a greater sense of responsibility?

Rishi Kapoor: None of the Kapoors wrote their autobiographies. When I decided to narrate my tale, I thought it is only fair to my fans and followers that my journey should be documented and presented in a book.

Q. What was the initial reaction at home?

Rishi Kapoor: My wife, Neetu, thought that it was an honest read as I had stated facts. Without sounding too pompous, I feel that it can be an inspiring book for the youth. I want the young, aspiring actors to understand that struggling to get a foothold in filmdom does not mean that you must sleep on pavements and go hungry.


Kapoor says the title of the book, taken from a song, goes with his image.

Q. Do you think struggle in filmdom has been glorified?

Rishi Kapoor: Yes, to an extent. The fact remains that I may be Raj Kapoor's son - but, so what? Yes, I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth and I got a break. My debut was a huge hit - but after that, what happened?

After that I was on my own and that was when my father pushed me into the rough seas and I was left to battle an era of action heroes…

Q. Yes, 1973 was a very competitive era…

Rishi Kapoor: Competitive kaha, nobody used to watch romantic films and musicals. The whole trend had changed and I was fighting a cyclone called Amitabh Bachchan, along with Dharmendra, Shatrughan Sinha and Vinod Khanna. All these guys were action masters and it was quite difficult to survive.

But having said that, it was my struggle then. Struggle is not only about getting a break and then hitting the autopilot mode because you have done well. My struggle started after my super-duper debut hit, 'Bobby'.

Q. But do you think you also got preferential treatment because you were Raj Kapoor's son?

Rishi Kapoor: There was no such nepotism because I was Raj Kapoor's son. You are nobody's son and you are only as good as your last film. There are so many other star sons who have not worked and it is a false belief that actors' children have it very easy. The audience is not watching a film because you are someone's son or daughter - Ranbir Kapoor is not a big star because of Rishi Kapoor.

I did not have a very smooth sailing here. I have been working for 44 years and I couldn't have been successful only because of the famous surname.

Q. Your son Ranbir Kapoor has put in a nice foreword. Did you ask him to write it?

Rishi Kapoor: No, I did not ask Ranbir to write the foreword. Meena (Iyer), my co-author, wanted him to write it. He was shooting and I believe that he wrote it in 15-20 minutes. My wife, Neetu, has written the afterword.

Q. Why did you go with the title 'Khullam Khulla'?

Rishi Kapoor: It was taken from a song, and, I think it works because it goes with my image.

Q. You debuted on Twitter a year ago, and you have become like a cult with 1.43 mn followers…

Rishi Kapoor: (Laughs) No, I am nobody. I hardly have any people following me. I only joined as recently as 2015, as before that I didn't think it was important enough to be on it.

Q. And now you enjoy it?

Rishi Kapoor: I do enjoy it now because I find it entertaining. I do not see it as a boon or a bane. Unlike some who are diplomatic and talk only about their films, I am forthright and express what I feel is right.

Q. But does social media kill the aura or the mystique of a celebrity?

Rishi Kapoor: No, not at all. Has it killed the aura of Mr. Bachchan or Salman or Shah Rukh Khan?


*The book, published by Harper Collins, is priced at Rs 599.