Rishi Kapoor, and not his son Ranbir, was the real rockstar of Hindi cinema, which is why film-makers and script writers were always looking for excuses to put him on stage to sing and dance.
5 films where the endearing Mr Kapoor played the rockstar.
1. Karz
Who will forget Rishi Kapoor as Monty the entertainer par excellence who sings and dances his way through at least three elaborately staged song-and-dance numbers Om Shanti Om, Paise Ye Paisa and Dard-e-Dil.
Rishi's moves on stage, the way he could jump on to his knees while dancing took its toll on his feet.
In his later years Rishi had problems with his knees and feet, thanks to his dancing. But the effort was worth it.
The level of zing he brought to his steps is unparalleled. Other stars relied on a few trademark dance steps. Rishi simply let go.
2. Amar Akbar Anthony
Playing a qawwalli singer made Rishi a different kind of rockstar here, one who could regale the clapping cheering janta at the Jama Masjid in Delhi or at Haji Ali in Mumbai.
Rishi's enactment of Mohammad Rafi's Parda Hai Parda was so spot-on that many considered Rishi's Akbar to be the real rockstar of the film ahead of Amitabh Bachchan's Anthony and Vinod Khanna' Amar.
3. Hum Kissise Kum Nahin
There are musicals and then there is Hum Kissi Se Kum Nahin.
Singing and dancing on stage to the triple-layered Aa Dil Kya Mehfil Hai Tere Kadmon Mein, Tum Kya Janon Mohabbat Kya Hai and Chand Mera Dil (in three different voices of Kishore Kumar, R D Burman and Rafisaab) Rishi ripped the screen apart.
And his jiving and grooving to Bachna Ae Haseenon had every haseeena in Hindustan running for cover versions of this ever-popular stage show hit.
4. Sargam
From the guitar in Karz to the desi dafli in Sargam -- what an amazing amount of musicianship was conveyed in this star-actor's persona!
As Jaya Prada danced, Rishi played the dafli and emoted in Rafisaab's voice, Mujhe Mat Roko Mujhe Gaane Do. We hear you, Rishi.
5.Deewaana
Late in his career as a leading man Rishi played a singer wooing Divya Bharti with the breezy Sochenge Tumhe Pyar Karen Ki Nahin.
So well-entrenched were Rishi's dancing shoes that one forgot this was the film that launched Shah Rukh Khan as a star.
When Rishi danced, nothing else mattered.
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