5 Roles With Which Rishi Kapoor Re-Invented Himself In His 2nd Innings

Rishi Kapoor started his career as early as 1970 with his father’s film Mera Naam Joker as a child artist, a role that earned him his National Film Award. He then made his proper adult debut with Bobby opposite Dimple Kapadia in 1973, which not only go on to become a historical hit but also earned him the Filmfare Best Actor Award.

Touted as the ultimate lover-boy of his generation, Rishi Kapoor gave one blockbuster love-story after another. Although he was always considered a superstar, it was in the second innings of his career we really understood his potential as a phenomenal actor. Here are 5 roles with which Rishi Kapoor re-invented himself as an actor in the second innings of his career.

Rauf Lala in Agneepath

It was almost a surreal experience to see the epitome of chocolate heroes in Bollywood pulling off the role of the heinous Rauf Lala with such conviction. In a film where Hrithik Roshan and Sanjay Dutt were giving the performance of their lifetime, it was Rishi Kapoor who took our breath away in every frame. In the scene where he is seen ‘auctioning’ Hrithik’s sister and blatantly listing out her ‘features’ to make the ‘sale’ is one of the most disturbing scenes ever in Bollywood and one has to witness the scene to understand the caliber and range of Rishi Kapoor as an actor.

Santosh Duggal in Do Dooni Char

If people thought that Rishi Kapoor was only good for dramatic characters in ‘big’ films, he proved them wrong with his performance in Do Dooni Char. He was wonderfully understated and pitch-perfect in this criminally under-appreciated film by Habib Faisal. He perfectly challenged the idiosyncrasies and realities of a middle-aged man from Delhi battling the typical challenges of urban middle-class families crippled with double digit inflation and single digit salary increments. He explored comedy, drama and reflected the helplessness with a finesse that was a treat to watch.

Yoginder Vashisht and Student Of The Year

No matter how advanced we become in our thoughts, it is still a big step for mainstream ‘heroes’ to play effeminate character on-screen. While heroes of today think 10 times taking up such roles, Rishi Kapoor, at the age of 61 not only took up the role but showed everyone how it is done by adding a touch of strength and class to the character that only he is capable of.

Amarjeet Kapoor in Kapoor and Sons

Who though in a film with hotties like Fawad Khan and Siddharth Malhotra and stellar actors like Ratna Pathak Shah and Rajat Sharma, it will be Rishi Kapoor who would totally steal the spotlight. As the senior most Kapoor whose spirit for life has not been deadened by old age, he was a revelation, to say the least. The role earned him a Filmfare Award For The Best Supporting Actor.

Murad Ali Mohammad in Mulk

It was not only Anubhav Sinha who surprised us with a thought-provoking and mature film like Mulk, but it also gave Rishi Kapoor an opportunity to explore his strengths as an actor. As the aging lawyer and the patriarch of a family battling terrorism charges, Murad Ali Mohammad, Rishi Kapoor delivers a performance that is such a delicate balance of strength and vulnerability that it is almost unreal.