R.I.P. Rishi Kapoor: Looking Back At His Star-Studded Welcome, Wonderful Life And Exceptional Acting Career In His Own Words

‘I was born lucky.’ The first few words of Rishi Kapoor’s glorious autobiography titled Khullam Khulla ensure his fans that this is a masterpiece worth reading. The actor had a wonderful life, was welcomed to the world as a true superstar that he is and will be remembered as one of the most adored and versatile actors of Indian cinema. After a two year long battle with cancer, Chintu ji breathed his last today morning. While this void will never be filled, he did leave us with some beautiful memories to cherish for the rest of our lives. Let’s take a look back at his magical journey in his own words.

On 4^th September 1952, a beautiful rosy-cheeked baby was welcomed in the Kapoor Khaandan. The planets were in perfect alignment and champagne was popped as some of the biggest celebrities of the time got together to celebrate his arrival. “I could not have asked for a more boisterous or star-studded welcome,” shared the actor in his autobiography. Prithviraj Kapoor’s grandson, Raj Kapoor’s son, Neetu Kapoor’s husband, Riddhima and Ranbir Kapoor’s father, Rishi Kapoor believes he was born lucky and stayed lucky. Well, we couldn’t agree more.

He came from the most filmy family of the Hindi film industry and his life was no less than a super hit movie. “My childhood was a dream, like an unending mela. People from the film fraternity constantly streamed in and out of our home, and I was weaned on a steady diet of cinema. I was enveloped by the Hindi film industry both inside the house and outside it.” Unlike other famous families, the Kapoor’s never discouraged their children from visiting the studios. In fact, his father was ‘delighted in letting the world see his brood’.

He made his debut in the magical land of cinema in 1970 with Mera Naam Joker and went on to wow the audience for the next 50 years. From playing a teenager in Bobby, a gay principal in Student of the Year to portraying the role of a 90-year-old, naughty grandfather in Kapoor and Sons, Rishi not only won hearts with his spectacular performances but also proved his versatility. Comparing his real life to reel-life, the actor shared, “The two phases of my career have mirrored the reality of my life as it was and is – the early, young and brash actor who had it all, and now the more grounded family man who wants to give it his all and is lucky to be able to do that.”

“Acting was in my blood and there was simply no escaping it.” He gave his life to the industry and shared almost every big moment with his fans. He was born to be a star and we feel honored that he shared his craft with the world. You will be remembered forever. Thank you, for giving us everything you had.