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A Rishi Kapoor song has an identity of its own.
Brimming in carefree emotion and youthful courtship, its exuberance regaled listeners in the tradition of romance icons like Dev Anand and Rajesh Khanna.
As upbeat now as it was yesterday, it Is hardly surprising how many movies owe their titles to Chintu's melodious imagery like Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai, Jhoot Bole Kauva Kaate, Ek Main Aur Ek Tu, Parda Hai Parda, Khullam Khulla Pyar Karen, Chal Mere Bhai, Om Shanti Om, Ek Haseena Thi and Bachna Ae Haseeno.
Quite a few of his chartbusters have been remixed and almost every significant pop culture medley over the years -- the Parody song in Mr India (Na Chahoon Sona Chandi, Om Shanti Om), the celebratory antakshri in Maine Pyar Kiya (Hum Toh Chale Pardes), Bollywood inspired sangeet in Mujhse Dosti Karoge (Na Chahoon Sona Chandi, Yeh Galiyan Yeh Chaubara, Bachna Ae Haseeno), the spontaneous Chitrahaar of Lamhe (Hum Tum Ek Kamre Mein) features a Rishi Kapoor song.
The sheer ada and oomph of Rishi's unmistakable touch to their creation encouraged composers, lyricists, singers to make memorable music for him.
Sukanya Verma salutes most beloved Rishi Kapoor melodies in a must-read series.
Main Shayar To Nahi, Hum Tum Ek Kamre, Na Chahoon Sona, Bobby
Music: Laxmikant Pyarelal
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Singers: Shailendra Singh, Lata Mangeshkar
A dandy Rishi Kapoor turned life of the party and poet of the hour in Main Shayar, romanticised about getting locked up with his ladylove in Hum Tum Ek Kamre and proclaimed his disregard for materialism in Na Chahoon Sona as part of Bobby's eclectic song and dance revelry.
It's love at first sight. And song.
O Hansini, Zehreela Insaan
Music: Rahul Dev Burman
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Singer: Kishore Kumar
Rishi and RD collaborated on several superhits in their time following the dreamy, delicate O Hansini,
Shaam Suhani Aayi, Zinda Dil
Music: Laxmikant-Pyarelal
Lyrics: Verma Malik
Singers: Shailendra Singh, Lata Mangeshkar, Mahendra Kapoor
Beautiful song, bunkum film, Zinda Dil's fate resonates with many of Rishi's movies.
Kisi Pe Dil Agar Aa Jaaye, Tumko Mere Dil Ne, Rafoo Chakkar
Music: Kalyanji-Anandji
Lyrics: Gulshan Bawra
Singers: Shailendra Singh, Asha Bhosle, Kanchan
Rishi Kapoor cuts a super cute picture as a curly haired girl in this Some Like It Hot copy.
Equally dashing is his checkered blazers look and lively serenade of Neetu Singh in Shailendra Singh's voice, synonymous with Chintu since Bobby days, over chartbusters like Kisi Pe Dil and Tumko Mere Dil Ne Pukara Hai.
Humne Tumko Dekha, Khullam Khulla, Ek Main Aur Ek Tu, Khel Khel Mein
Music: R D Burman
Lyrics: Gulshan Bawra
Singers: Shailendra Singh, Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle
Suspense, songs, style and Rishi-Neetu's frothy chemistry -- Khel Khel Mein is entertainment personified.
And their flirtatious energy in Ek Main Aur Ek Tu, handy lessons of romance in Humne Tumko Dekha and bindaas candour in Khullam Khulla showcases it amply.
Tere Dar Pe Aaya Hoon, Hoke Mayoos Tere, Barbaad Mohabbat Ki Dua, Laila Majnu
Music: Madan Mohan, Jaidev
Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi
Singer: Mohammed Rafi
The master melody makers behind Laila Majnu's exquisite songs captures the intense, ill-fated romance to perfection as does a notably profound Rishi Kapoor.
Tera Phoolon Jaisa Rang, Tere Chehre Se Nazar, Kabhi Kabhie
Music: Khayyam
Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi
Singers: Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar
Khayyam's lilting melodies, Kashmir's scenic vistas and Rishi-Neetu's zestful outpour of affection against it is stuff of forever not kabhi kabhie.
Bachna Ae Haseeno, Hai Agar Dushman, Chand Mera Dil Medley, Hum Kisise Kum Nahin
Music: R D Burman
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Singers: Kishore Kumar, Mohammed Rafi, Asha Bhosle
Qawaali, disco, pop, inspired, original, fun, fabulous, face offs and Rishi Kapoor dancing through it all with his heart on display, like literally -- how wakao is that?
Jaan Meri Rooth Gayi, Chal Kahin Door, Aao Manaye Jashn-E-Mohabbat, Doosra Aadmi
Music: Rajesh Roshan
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Singers: Kishore Kumar, Pamela Chopra, Mohammed Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar
A rather under-rated soundtrack and movie, there's much to love about Rishi's presence and passions across the gorgeous tunes of Doosra Aadmi.
Parda Hai Parda, Taiyab Ali Pyar Ka Dushman, Amar Akbar Anthony
Music: Laxmikant-Pyarelal
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Singer: Mohammed Rafi
If you don't enjoy Rishi Kapoor's spirited challenge in the Parda Hai qawaali or spunky spite towards Taiyab Ali -- the original troll song -- then Akbar Uska Naam Nahi Hai.
