Chintu is alive in our hearts: Friends remember Rishi Kapoor
It may have been a year since his passing, but for Rishi Kapoor’s friends, the actor is not really gone. His khullam khulla attitude towards life, great acting chops and fierce friendship is Kapoor’s legacy according to his long time friends. On his first death anniversary, they take a trip down memory lane as well as share how their life has been in the past one year without their dear friend.
PADMINI KOLHAPURE
Some people remain alive in your life forever. Chintu is one such person. He created such an impact on me. With Chintu, it is too soon to even come to terms with the fact that he is no more. When that thought comes to me, I miss a heartbeat and have a sinking feeling. His charm and personality both on screen and off screen is what I miss the most. Whether you met him at a social event or a party, he always made his presence felt. So, it is difficult to understand that it’s been a year of him not being around.
SHAKTI KAPOOR PREM CHOPRA
Rishi was my nephew because I am married to his mother’s younger sister but we were more like friends than relatives. We did so many films together. I really miss him a lot. He was a wonderful fellow, a great company to be with as he had a great sense of humour. What I feel bad is the fact that he was on top of his career and he had so much more to give as an actor. I miss his attitude, seeing him being so open with his opinions which sometimes used to annoy people but he didn’t care. I miss seeing him and his great performances on screen.
RAKESH ROSHAN
The only thing I am missing is that I can see him everywhere, I can feel him everywhere but I cannot converse with him. He used to talk in an uncouth manner, we used to understand each other so well. He was a very frank person, if he didn’t like anything he would tell you on the face. Since Khel Khel Mein (1975) we have been friends. When Jeetendra and Rishi were on a high, I was not doing well as an actor. I never asked them to get me a role. I wasn’t friends with him because he was a star. And when I became a director, they never told me why didn’t you take me in your film. We have travelled so much. I hope that Ranbir (Kapoor) and Hrithik (Roshan) become as close friends as we were.
I still can’t believe that it has been a year. Our birthdays are just a day apart. I am September 3 and he was September 4. I used to tell him that bada bhaiyya bola kar mujhe ek din bada hoon tujhse. We got along like a house on fire. We celebrated our birthdays together when I was an upcoming actor and he knew I couldn’t afford big parties. He was there for me in the initial phase of my struggle days. We were fond of good alcohol and I miss our drinking sessions. We never fought till date. He had a lovely sense of humour.