Unforgettable songs that defined Rishi Kapoor's stardom

Rishi Kapoor, in fact, had a strong connection with songs since childhood. Even before he started his acting journey with Mera Naam Joker, Rishi had featured in the song Pyaar Hua, Iqraar Hua in Shree 420. Be it Ek Hasina Thi, Om Shanti Om or Dard-e-Dil, almost every song of the film went on to be a blockbuster, cementing Rishi Kapoor's place in Bollywood.

Mumbai: A big reason Rishi Kapoor will live on forever are because of the songs filmed on him. The actor's stardom in Bollywood, during his reign in the seventies and the eighties, was to a big extent about his loverboy image and such an image came with a ceaseless flow of great and superhit songs.

It is impossible to rank some of his hit songs. But, here's a list of some of Rishi Kapoor's songs that we love to hum:

• Hum Tum Ek Kamre Me Band Ho (Bobby, 1973)

Rishi's launch as a hero happened with Raj Kapoor's Bobby in 1973. Till date, the film is synonymous with Laxmikant-Pyarelal's unforgettable score. The song defines the arrival of a young loverboy hero who would redefine romance on the Hindi screen forever. While on romantic pairings, one cannot miss Rishi Kapoor teaming up with Dimple Kapadia. Hum Tum Ek Kamre Me Band Ho in Bobby represented innocent love and their lovely chemistry.

• Om Shanti Om (Karz, 1980)

Among Rishi's most iconic musical hits is Subhash Ghai's Karz. There are many anecdotes about Rishi and his songs. For instance, the funny thing is Rishi wasn't too fond of Om Shanti Om, which continues to be considered one of his greatest dance numbers till date. In his memoir Khullam Khulla, he had written: "However, I must admit that I was often hopelessly wrong in my initial reactions to some of these chartbusters. I remember Boney Kapoor coming to meet me, brimming with excitement, with a recording of Om Shanti Om in Karz. The composers Laxmikant Pyarelal and director Subhash Ghai, obviously ecstatic with the results, had sent him to Panchgani where I was shooting. I gave Boney an earful, saying what a lousy number it was and wondering how Laxmikant Pyarelal could come up with such a number for me."

• Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karenge (Khel Khel Mein, 1975)

Romantic pairings, back then, depended to a large extent on hit songs. The success of his pairing with Neetu Singh, who eventually became his wife, in films like Kabhi Kabhie, Amar Akbar Anthony, Doosra Aadmi and Khel Khel Mein, depended to a large extent on the songs of these films. The couple's romantic number Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karenge from Khel Khel Mein, composed by RD Burman and sung by Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle continues to be a lovers' anthem.

• Dard-e-Dil (Karz, 1980)

Rishi Kapoor's Dard E Dil Dard E Jigar from Karz is still alive among the audience. The song was sung by Mohammed Rafi. Composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal, the song has been penned by Anand Bakshi.

• Chandni O Meri Chandni (Chandni, 1989)

His spate of hit songs continued in the eighties with Sridevi in Chandni. Crooned by Sridevi and Jolly Mukherjee, the music has been composed by Shiv-Hari. The romantic number featuring Rishi and Sridevi has lyrics penned by Anand Bakshi.

• Bachna Ae Haseeno (Hum Kisise Kum Naheen, 1977)

Decades later, people still talk of Rishi Kapoor's songs. Among numerous new-gen stars who have recreated his songs is son Ranbir Kapoor, who reprised his dad's popular track Bachna Ae Haseeno in his own 2008 film titled Bachna Ae Haseeno. The original song from Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin was crooned by Kishore Kumar and composed by R.D. Burman.

• Main Shayar Toh Nahin (Bobby, 1973)

Rishi Kapoor had a fondness for the soulful Main Shayar Toh Nahin from his debut film Bobby. The song, which was sung by Shailendra Singh, also featured actor Aruna Irani, who used to be dancing sensation in yesteryears. On the other hand, while undergoing treatment for leukemia in New York last year, Rishi once had a musical encounter with one of his fans during his salon visit. A Russian fan recognised him and played the famous song Main Shayar Toh Nahin. Rishi even shared a video of the encounter on his Twitter, thanking the fan for singing his "anthem."

• Tere Mere Hoton Pe (Chandni, 1989)

The romantic song Tere Mere Hothon Pe from the 1989 release Chandni was sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Babla Mehta. The song featured Rishi Kapoor and Sridevi dancing against a backdrop of green pastures.

• Chehra Hai Ya Chaand Khila Hai (Sagar, 1985)

The song Chehra Hai Ya Chand Khila Hai from the 1985 hit Sagar featured Rishi Kapoor along with Dimple Kapadia. Crooned by none other than Kishore Kumar, the romantic track was directed by R.D. Burman. The song has lyrics penned by Javed Akhtar.

• Dafliwale Dafli Bajaa ( Sargam, 1979)

Youngsters who grew up in the 70s era had shaken their legs to the iconic actor's several songs especially Dafli Wale Dafli Baja in Sargam. Sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammed Rafi, the song, which featured actor-cum-politician Jaya Prada opposite Rishi Kapoor, was a massive hit back then. Over the years, Rishi has been the dafli-wielding dafliwaale of Sargam. His versatile image that could swing from being the traditional romantic hero to the playful hunk.

With inputs from IANS.