Patcy N in Mumbai
In the first part of the special series on the Kapoors, we looked at some of the best performances of the senior generation: Prithviraj Kapoor, Raj Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor.
In this second part, we look at the ouvre of the generation that followed: Randhir, Rishi, Rajiv Kapoor, Kunal, Karan and Sanjana.
Kal Aaj Aur Kal (1971)
The film launched Randhir Kapoor, the eldest son of Raj Kapoor. He acted in and directed the film, produced by his father.
Three generations of Kapoors acted in it -- Prithviraj played Raj Kapoor's father and Raj Kapoor played Randhir Kapoor's father.
Babita, the leading lady, married Randhir after the release of the film. It is remembered for the songs Aap Yahan Aaye Kis Liye and Bhanware Ki Gunjan.
Though the film did average business at the box office, it did wonders for Randhir Kapoor's career.
Jawani Diwani (1972)
This was the only film in which Randhir was the sole lead that became a hit.
It had some memorable songs -- Jaane Jaan Dhoondta Fir Ruha, Saamne Yeh Koun Aaya, Yeh Jawani Hai Diwani, and Agar Saaz Chedaa Taraane Bunenge.
This is also the film in which Jaya Bhaduri broke out of her girl-next-door image to play a glamorous college girl.
Bobby (1973)
Rishi Kapoor became the romantic icon of the 1970s after his romance with Dimple Kapadia in this trend-setting film.
Bobby made the theme of teenage romance popular and inspired many films where rich versus poor was the backdrop.
An overweight Rishi lost weight and became half his size in order to play this role.
Khel Khel Mein (1975)
Directed by Ravi Tandon (Raveena Tandon's father), Khel Khel Mein was a fast-paced thriller in which some college students play a prank that leads to murder.
The lead pair of Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh became one of the most popular jodis of the time and went on to make several hit films together.
The songs Ek Main Aur Ek Tu, and Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karenge were a rage among youngsters then and are popular even now. Humne Tumko Dekka and Sapna Mera Toot Gaya were also very popular.
Karz (1980)
The story of a pop singer who wants to avenge his own murder, it showed Rishi Kapoor at his best, strumming on a guitar like he knew how to play it.
Laxmikant-Pyarelal composed some great songs for this film, such as Om Shanti Om and Dard-e-Dil.
Prem Rog (1982)
Prem Rog was a social drama about a man's love for a woman who is a widow. The rich-poor class divide is prominent in the film.
The film showed Rishi's sensitive side. He looked every bit the poor, simple and loveable Devdhar.
Saagar (1985)
Saagar was Dimple's comeback film. Though it was Kamal Haasan who won the awards for his excellent performance, it was the romance between Dimple and Rishi that stole the show.
Dimple's topless scene on the beach and the sensuous song Jaane Do Naa created magic on screen.
Saagar was India's official entry for the Oscars in the best foreign language film category.
Chandni (1989)
Yash Chopra's Chandni, and later Nagin, revived Rishi Kapoor's flagging career.
As the man who rejects his lover after an accident lands him in a wheelchair, so that she can have a better life, Rishi gave a commendable performance, running the gamut of emotions from helplessness to anger and despair.
Do Dooni Chaar (2010)
After a long sabbatical of 30 years, the Neetu-Rishi jodi returned to the big screen in Do Dooni Chaar.
Neetu, who said she had no intention of signing up for the film, agreed to listen to the script at the insistence of her husband. She loved it so much she agreed to act in it.
The film dealt with a contemporary theme -- the problems of underpaid teachers, growing inflation, and the demands of a family.
Critics loved the Neetu-Rishi combo and the film got good reviews.
Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985)
The youngest of Raj Kapoor son's, Rajiv, did not act in many films. His first, Ek Jaan Hain Hum, had some very good music but did little for his career
Ram Teri Ganga Maili was probably his only major hit; it was also the last film directed by his father.
The music was good, but the success of the film was largely due to the raunchy scenes.
Ahista Ahista (1981)
The eldest son of Shashi Kapoor, Kunal started his acting career with Siddhartha and Junoon, but made his debut as a hero in Ahista Ahista in 1981.
This film got extreme reviews. Padmini Kolhapure gave a touching performance while Kunal was good as the immature boy.
Music and lyrics were the plus points of this film, particularly Kabhi Kisi Ko Muqammal Jahan Nahin Milta, and Mana Teri Nazar Mein.
Kunal acted in a few more films and then gave up acting. He set up his own company, Adfilm-Valas to produce and direct television commercials.
Sultanat (1986)
Shashi Kapoor's second son, Karan, started his film career in small roles in his father's film Junoon and in 36 Chowringhee Lane. His first major film was Sutanat starring Dharmendra, Sunny Deol and Amrish Puri. It was Juhi Chawla's debut film too.
In this Mukul Anand-directed film, Karan plays the son of a warrior who wants revenge against his father and brother for murdering his adopted father
The film did not do well so after one more film, Loha, in 1987, Karan moved to London and followed his passion, photography.
Hero Hiralal (1988)
Shashi Kapoor's daughter, Sanjana, acted in six movies -- Junoon, 36 Chowringhee Lane, Utsav, Salaam Bombay, Hero Hiralal and Aranyaka.
Directed by Ketan Mehta, Hero Hiralal is the story of an auto-rickshaw driver who falls in love with a beautiful film actress played by Sanjana.
The movie has some superb moments. Naseeruddin Shah's over-the-top performance is worth watching.
After she stopped acting in films, Sanjana managed the family-owned Prithvi Theatre in Mumbai, a venue for some of the best theatre performance in the country. Recently, she stepped down, and announced that she wanted to focus on her new organisation, Junoon, where she would take theatre to villages and smaller towns, like her grandfather Prithviraj Kapoor did.
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