Khullam Khulla: Rishi Kapoor Uncensored

by Rishi Kapoor, Meena Iyer

5.00 out of 5 based on 1 customer rating
(1 customer review)

5.00 out of 5 based on 1 customer rating
(1 customer review)

Description:

Only, Rishi Kapoor was and is so much more. Few actors in Hindi cinema have had this sort of a career arc: from the gawky adolescent pining for his schoolteacher (Mera Naam Joker, 1970) to the naughty ninety-year-old (Kapoor & Sons, 2016), Rishi Kapoor has regaled audiences for close to fifty years. He won a National Award for his debut, became an overnight sensation with his first film as a leading man (Bobby, 1973), and carved a niche for himself with a string of romantic musical blockbusters in an era known for its angst-ridden films. He was the youth icon that is still the toast of the satellite TV circuit. The songs he lip synced are the bread and butter of all radio stations even today. Then there was the second coming after a brief hiatus in the 1990s – as one of the finest actors in mainstream Hindi cinema with powerhouse performances in films like Do Dooni Chaar, D-Day, Agneepath and others. Characteristically candid, Rishi Kapoor brings Punjabi brio to the writing of Khullam Khulla. This is as up close and personal a biography as any fan could have hoped for. He writes about growing up in the shadow of a legendary father, skipping school to act in Mera Naam Joker, the workings of the musical hits of the era, an encounter with Dawood Ibrahim, his heroines (their working relationship, the gossip and the frisson that was sometimes real), his approach to his craft, his tryst with clinical depression, and more. A foreword by Ranbir Kapoor and a stirring afterword by Neetu Singh bookend the warmest, most dil se biography an Indian star has ever penned.

Only, Rishi Kapoor was and is so much more. Few actors in Hindi cinema have had this sort of a career arc: from the gawky adolescent pining for his schoolteacher (Mera Naam Joker, 1970) to the naughty ninety-year-old (Kapoor & Sons, 2016), Rishi Kapoor has regaled audiences for close to fifty years. He won a National Award for his debut, became an overnight sensation with his first film as a leading man (Bobby, 1973), and carved a niche for himself with a string of romantic musical blockbusters in an era known for its angst-ridden films. He was the youth icon that is still the toast of the satellite TV circuit. The songs he lip synced are the bread and butter of all radio stations even today. Then there was the second coming after a brief hiatus in the 1990s – as one of the finest actors in mainstream Hindi cinema with powerhouse performances in films like Do Dooni Chaar, D-Day, Agneepath and others. Characteristically candid, Rishi Kapoor brings Punjabi brio to the writing of Khullam Khulla. This is as up close and personal a biography as any fan could have hoped for. He writes about growing up in the shadow of a legendary father, skipping school to act in Mera Naam Joker, the workings of the musical hits of the era, an encounter with Dawood Ibrahim, his heroines (their working relationship, the gossip and the frisson that was sometimes real), his approach to his craft, his tryst with clinical depression, and more. A foreword by Ranbir Kapoor and a stirring afterword by Neetu Singh bookend the warmest, most dil se biography an Indian star has ever penned.
280
English
Genre, Indian Writing, Biography

About The Author

Rishi Kapoor (born 4 September 1952) is an Indian film actor, producer and director known for his works in Hindi cinema. He received the National Film Award for his debut role as a child artist in his father Raj Kapoor's 1970 film Mera Naam Joker (1970). Kapoor had his first lead role as an adult, opposite Dimple Kapadia in 1973 with the film Bobby and received the Filmfare Best Actor Award in 1974. Since then, he played leading roles as the romantic lead in 92 films between 1973 and 2000, of which 41 were multi-starrer films. Only 11 of the 51 solo hero films were successful. He was honored with the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008. He appeared opposite his future wife Neetu Singh in twelve films from 1973 and 1981.
Meena Iyer is Editor, Bombay Times and a film critic for the Times of India. She's a veteran movie journalist – friend of the actors, confidante of the actresses, a champion of scoops on what's hot and what's not in Bollywood. At home, she enjoys her cuppa Madras 'kapee' more than the Espresso in shopping malls or 'cutting chai' on film sets.

1 review for Khullam Khulla: Rishi Kapoor Uncensored

  1. 5 out of 5

    Amazing Read

    The Kapoors would be the only family in the world to have had 4 generations of very successful actors (and counting!). Rishi, of course, is from my generation. Forget Mera Naam Joker. Rishi burst into the cliched limelight with Bobby. Who can forget the Rajdoot GTS mobike, Rishi’s scarves and Dimple’s curves? And the songs?
    The tone of the book is gossipy and has no literary pretensions. Yet it is a delight to read. It is frank and opinionated. However, if one is looking for juicy and salacious details, then forget it. A splendid collection of photographs is included.
    The foreword by Ranbir and afterword by Neetu offer a clearer picture of Rishi Kapoor’s character.

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