Poonam Dhillon fondly reminisced about working with Rishi Kapoor, calling him one of the finest actors she had worked with. She admired his natural, understated acting style, which never appeared dramatic or forced. Despite occasional irritation on set due to his critical nature, she later learned to appreciate his perfectionism.
Lessons from Rishi Kapoor’s Perfectionism
In an interview with Hindi Rush, she recalled how Rishi Kapoor would often scold her, prompting her to complain to Neetu Kapoor. Over the years, she realized that his approach was not harsh but rather a reflection of his commitment to the craft. She also mentioned a conversation where Rishi was surprised by their age difference, insisting she was not much younger than him. His youthful appearance often defied his real age.
Rishi Kapoor: The Intellectual Actor
Poonam also recalled that Rishi was an intellectual presence on set, reading Time magazine and exhibiting perfect English. Initially, younger actors were intimidated by him, but Poonam later teased him about not finishing his 10th standard despite his fluency. They often played Scrabble on set, where he showed off his English skills. While some actresses were impressed, Poonam would challenge him on incorrect words. Neetu Kapoor would call him ‘rotten,’ but Poonam preferred to describe him as irritable in an endearing way.
She admired his ability to switch effortlessly into character, no matter the situation. His charm and hospitality were legendary, extending to the entire Kapoor family. Poonam recalled working at RK Studios, where she experienced their warmth, meeting Raj Kapoor, Randhir Kapoor, and Chimpu Kapoor.
Rishi Kapoor’s Struggles and Strengths
Discussing his career, Poonam acknowledged the challenges he faced due to the dominance of action films in the Amitabh Bachchan and Shatrughan Sinha era. However, she believed no one could match Rishi Kapoor’s ability to portray tragedy with a smile. His charm while singing on screen was unparalleled. She noted that while Rajesh Khanna had a distinct style, Rishi Kapoor’s musical presence was unique.
Ranbir Kapoor: A Reflection of Rishi
Poonam also observed the striking resemblance between Rishi and his son, Ranbir Kapoor. The first time she met Ranbir, she closed her eyes and felt as if Rishi himself was speaking. Rishi acknowledged their similarity with pride.
She shared a touching memory of Rishi calling her while writing his autobiography. He thanked her for being part of his journey, showing his heartfelt appreciation for his co-stars. She was deeply moved by his gesture, realizing he had likely reached out to other heroines as well.
A heartfelt goodbye
His passing was a profound loss, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when proper farewells were not possible. Poonam recalled how difficult it was to even visit his funeral due to restrictions.
Reflecting on his career, she mentioned that Rishi Kapoor enjoyed his second innings as a character actor, appreciating the financial benefits and reduced workload compared to his earlier days as a lead hero. His legacy as an iconic actor remains undisputed.