`Mera Naam Joker` to `Kapoor & Sons`, a look back at Rishi Kapoor`s rich legacy
Rishi Kapoor faced the camera as an actor for the first time at the age of 17 when he acted in his father’s most ambitious and audacious film `Mera Naam Joker`. The Showman of Hindi Cinema Raj Kapoor made his son play the younger version of himself, a decision that was nothing less than a masterstroke. The actor won a National Award for playing it so real, making his love for his teacher both heartening and heartbreaking. From the blockbuster success of `Bobby` in 1973, there was no looking back, all RK Studio had was an acclaimed film that failed to buy many takers. This romance of a young couple made Kapoor the new romantic kid on the block, the boy next door waiting to step inside and woo the girl of the house with his aura. This continued for over 25 years, before age began to catch up. Stardom and success began to reek of sameness, and he stepped away from the limelight to focus on meatier roles he could sink his teeth into. …