Rishi Kapoor: Celebrating 40 years in cinema

Rishi Kapoor has seen numerous phases in a career spanning 40 years. The loverboy phase continued for the longest time. He made peace with the character artist tag subsequently. The actor's in demand yet again as he re-discovers himself with Agneepath, reports Parmita Uniyal.

The little Raju of Mera Naam Joker (1970) won hearts with his innocence first. Three years later, he grew up to become a lover-boy in Bobby (1973) who romanced silver screen for more than two decades.



He lived up to this image with films like Khel Khel Mein (1975), Kabhie Kabhie (1976), Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), Doosra Aadmi (1978), Karz (1980), Naseeb (1981), Prem Rog (1982), Saagar (1985), Nagina (1986), Chandni (1989), Henna (1991), Bol Radha Bol (1992) and Deewana (1992).



He took some time before realising that his chocolate boy days are over. Result? He delivered duds like Yaraana (1995), Prem Granth (1996), Daraar (1996), and Karobaar: The Business of Love (2000).



As his weight showed an upward trend, his charisma started to wane. His fans began to feel that maybe Rishi needs to change with times.

And he did. When he realised that the lover boy in him has aged, he smartly slipped into the character actor mould with films like Hum Tum (2004), Fanaa (2006), Namaste London (2007), Love Aaj Kal (2009) and Patiala House (2010).



Needless to say he started getting his audiences' love again.



2010 onwards, the character artist in him evolved into a more serious actor. He played lead in Do Dooni Chaar (2010), Chintu Ji (2009) and subsequently a negative character in Agneepath (2012).

Agneepath changed the ball game for him. Rishi Kapoor's performance enthralled his fans. His gamble to play a negative character for the first time worked in hs favour. Convincing him for the role was not easy. But he said yes eventually on the insistance of director Karan Malhotra.



Coming up next is Aurangzeb, where he's playing the grey character again. Directed by Atul Sabharwal, the film will portray Arjun Kapoor in a double role and will also pair up Jackie Shroff and Amrita Singh again after almost two decades.

Rishi Kapoor as Rauf Lala