Originally posted by: Mard
Should Rishi Kapoor have stayed as a romantic hero till the 1990's, or was he too fat/old by then? Did you like him and his movies in that decade? I remember a lot of people made fun of him in the 90's because of him getting a fat tummy, double chin and yet still acting as a college going boy in many of his movies
I personally did like many of his movies from the 90s, Deewana, Damini, Bol Radha Bol, Hum Dono etc.. his acting was pretty good
let's hear from the man himself..IMO he was and still is one of the best and most under rated actor in bollywood..
I was called a Jersey Man' because of my sweaters. I was shooting non-stop, singing and dancing in Shimla, Switzerland, and was getting bored of it. I was middle-aged, gaining weight and thoroughly dissatisfied with what I was doing. I was only making money.
Neetu, my wife, said quit before you get bored. It was the late '80s and early '90s and all the Khans " Salman, Aamir, Shah Rukh " had entered the field. I did my last film as a leading man in 1998, Rakesh Roshan's Karobaar with Juhi Chawla and Anil Kapoor, and decided that was it. I had been a romantic hero for 25 years, which is a record.
By God's grace, I had a smooth sailing. I braved a toofan called Amitabh Bachchan. There were actors brandishing pistols, doing maar-dhaadh, and here was I, a hero with a guitar! Not many know that Shammi Kapoor retired at the age of 36. I retired at the age of 46.
It was a decision not many leading actors can take, for it's difficult to come to terms with the situation. In spite of people laughing behind their backs, they still carry on as heroes. Call it narcissism, but it is immensely tough to give up this position of power and adulation.
In our country, an actor is wanted because of his youth, his ability to sing, dance, romance, and not because of his talent. An actor's experience makes him great with age, and the West celebrates such talent. After Karobaar, I returned producers their money, sat without work for two and a half months and decided to write and direct Aa Ab Laut Chalein.
I am not made for anything except films. I may have retired from a position, but I still wanted to be part of this industry.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Anupamaa
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