Hyderabad: When Bollywood was just emerging from the gangster dramas, crime thrillers and angry young man movies, the man full of life and twinkle in the eye, started a trend of drama-romances in the '70s. The quality of mainstream Bollywood may have improved unrecognisably since the heydays of Rishi Kapoor, but the same cannot be said of the music.
The Deewana actor will rule hearts for ages with the mellifluous tracks filmed on him. Hindi cinema's quintessential romantic hero had begun his romance with the camera when he was barely in his teens. Being the son of legendary filmmaker Raj Kapoor, the environment on a film set was no novice to him when he officially entered the films with his father’s Mera Naam Joker in 1970.
- 'Main Shaayar Toh Nahin' from Bobby (1973):
'Pyaar ka naam maine suna tha magar, pyaar kya hai yeh mujhko nahi thi khabar....' This is the dilemma of every adolescent on the verge of adulthood, a feeling perfectly captured by Bobby, marked the debuts of both Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia. The film was a smash hit and set the trend for Bollywood stories of young lovers who face parental objection. While there are many songs one could choose from this movie, Shailendra Singh's voice and Anand Bakshi's lyrics come together beautifully in Main Shaayar Toh Nahin.
- 'Parda Hai Parda' from Amar Akbar Anthony (1977):
An iconic Manmohan Desai film that comes with this memorable qawwali, pictured on Rishi Kapoor's Akbar Illahabadi, as he flirts with his lady love Salma, played by Neetu, in front of an audience and her father Taiyyab Ali (Mukri). He's got his friend (and brother) Anthony, played by Amitabh Bachchan, cheering him on stage.
- 'Chandni O Meri Chandni' from Chandni (1989):
Rishi Kapoor’s pet theme parental objection to young love continued with Chandni, the movie that made wonders at the box office and introduced viewers to the quintessential Yash Chopra romance, all chiffon saris and snowy mountains and gorgeous songs.
IN PICS:Get acquainted with Irrfan's wisdom through his unforgettable quotes
- 'Chehra Hai Ya Chaand Khila Hai' from Saagar (1985):