Page 61 - Tehelka Issue 15 August 2018

entertainment

fondly recalls, Zoya Akhtar wrote the the monies that he makes today prove gamut of possibility for filmmakers and
part of Romy Rolly, a typical Bollywood to be a strong motivation. When he has writers to imagine, create and build solid
producer with poor wardrobe tastes in played negative characters in D-Day and ageing characters. As Rishi Kapoor often
her debut, Luck By Chance. He made the Aurangzeb, he has done those parts acknowledges, he led the way. Kapoor,
character his own. The film flopped but with flair. with his signature acting style, has added
opportunities for this veteran star sud- Amitabh Bachchan returned to act- depth to this evolution. Now with Anil
denly opened up. His hunger to play ing with a vengeance after bankruptcy Kapoor playing significant lead roles in
characters also inspired Rishi Kapoor to in 2000 nearly forced him to sell his Fanney Khan and Ek Ladki Ko Dekha To
take up roles across a wide spectrum. house. His return to cinema opened up a Aisa Laga at 61, the space for the veteran

So he played an octogenarian keen In the movie movie star has been carved out. Audi-
to unite his family, and open to cracking ences continue to enjoy watching them
a few dirty jokes with his grandsons in Mulk, the lead in action and they bring value to parts
Kapoor & Sons; took up the role of a hu- character, Murad Ali based on instinct alone. They belong to
man trafficker with a strong personal an era when a bound script and char-
code of morality in Agneepath; and Mohammad, carries acter graph were almost non-existent.
the avuncular mentor to lost lovers in Now, when writers adopt an organised
Love Aaj Kal and Shuddh Desi Romance the symbols of his approach, and films draw from reality to
respectively. In each of these films, he identity and when get audiences there is potential for some
brought a touch of authenticity and truly great movies with Rishi Kapoor and
credibility. His performances brought pushed into a corner, his contemporaries leading from the
alive otherwise flat characters, mak- fights for the honour front. More power to them!
ing these films more convincing. He has
had his share of forgettable parts too, but of his family letters@tehelka.com

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