In a nostalgic throwback, we revisit an old interview where the legendary Rishi Kapoor opened up about his life, career, and personal struggles. The charming actor, known for his iconic roles in Hindi cinema, shared his unfiltered thoughts on feeling embarrassed watching his younger self on screen, his journey in the film industry, and his childhood memories.

Rishi Kapoor, who played the quintessential romantic lead during his heyday, confessed to feeling embarrassed when watching his younger self on screen. “I switch the channel. I am not underplaying it or anything, but I am embarrassed watching myself on screen. I don’t know if there is an opposite word for narcissist… but that’s how I feel watching my films. I can admire my physical self as an actor, but not my body of work,” he had told Firstpost in 2011 while promoting his film Agneepath, in which he tapped into his dark side, startlingly different from most of the roles he had played in his acting career of almost 50 years.

Despite his illustrious career, Rishi Kapoor had no regrets, even when he took a break from acting. “I’ve no regrets in my life – even though my name is not there in the top names. I didn’t wait for stardom – Bobby was an instant hit in 1973 and it was after that, that I had to struggle to match its success. I’ve been working for 25 years as a leading star from 1973-1998 after which I got bored, gained weight and felt I couldn’t compete with the younger lot.”

However, his passion for filmmaking led him to explore direction. “I gave the money back to filmmakers I was going to work with and sat at home for three months. Then I decided to direct Aa Ab Laut Chalein with Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan and Akshaye Khanna.” His return to acting was facilitated by Ajay and Veeru Devgn, who convinced him to take on roles in Khatti Meethi and Raju Chacha.

Rishi Kapoor’s journey in the film industry began at a tender age. “I’ve been working for 39 years. I started at the age of 16 with Mera Naam Joker.” His entry into acting was facilitated by his uncle, Shashi Kapoor, who recognised his passion for performing. “It was my uncle Shashi Kapoor who noticed I wanted to be an actor because I used to take pencils and make fake moustaches on my face and pull faces and loved hanging around RK studios.”

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Rishi Kapoor had also shared that he struggled academically and that’s when his father, auteur Raj Kapoor asked him to start assisting him. “I got a zero in my English exam when I was doing my Senior Cambridge as I wrote 14 full scap sheets for a précis! Those days our papers were marked in England and so naturally, I flunked! I was very disheartened so my father (Raj Kapoor) told me not to lose heart and work as an assistant director in Kal Aaj Aur Kal. And then acting followed. I was a hero by default.”

Rishi Kapoor was last seen in Sharmaji Namkeen, which was a poignant reminder of the legendary actor’s enduring legacy. Paired alongside Juhi Chawla, Kapoor had begun filming his role as Sharmaji, a retired middle-class man navigating life’s new challenges. However, his untimely demise in April 2020 left the project incomplete. To honor Kapoor’s memory and ensure the film’s completion, Paresh Rawal graciously stepped into his shoes, reprising the iconic role. Rawal’s seamless integration into the film ensured Kapoor’s vision was realised, and Sharmaji Namkeen became a fitting tribute to the veteran actor’s remarkable career. Released in 2022, the film celebrated Kapoor’s timeless charm, wit, and vulnerability, reminding audiences of the incredible talent lost too soon.

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