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Peter Pan: An update

Rishi Kapoor

He's among the longest lasting chocolate-faced heroes Indian cinema has ever seen. And now finally acknowledging the ravages of time, Rishi Kapoor has decided to turn to direction.

He came in back in 1973 in Bobby, though that wasn't his first role. He'd earlier done one in Mera Naam Joker besides assisting his father Raj Kapoor.

Amitabh Bachchan too made his mark in the same year with Zanjeer. Both Rishi and Amitabh them found niches for themselves -- Rishi playing the eternal romantic; Bachchan, the angry young man. But while Amitabh ruled everything, Rishi trudged on, outlasting Bachchan as a hero in the longest run.

There was no competition between them; they even made a great pair in films like Amar Akbar Anthony and Naseeb. Rishi says with unaccustomed humility, "Amit is an incredible actor. Who will look at anyone else if he's in the frame?

"All of us who accepted roles with him knew that we were at best supporting heroes -- he was such a towering personality. But working with him was most enjoyable. I'll always remember those days. He's a fine actor."

A still from Aa Ab Laut Chalen. Click for bigger pic!

Still, any cinema history that dwells for any length on the 1970s will be incomplete without a mention of Rishi Kapoor.

He was and is an intuitive actor. He is so comfortable before the camera that he isn't really performing there. And the audiences loved him.

Though his first pairing, with Dimple Kapadia, was a hit, the leading lady went off to marry Rajesh Khanna, the heart-throb of the 1970s. Soon Rishi found another partner in Neetu Singh and they made a great pair on screen.

Their own romance gave added spark to their movies. They got married and Neetu Singh opted for home and motherhood. Today they have two teenaged children.

Rishi Kapoor stayed on in the business and, after 106 films and 26 years of acting, he decided to turn the director he always wanted to be -- in his recently-released Aa Ab Laut Chalen. But he's very upset with all the pressure that was put on him during its production.

"I think it's very unfair to expect too much from my film. After all, it is my first film but we're aware that people will compare us (he and his brothers) to Raj Kapoor, however unfair it may seem to us."

With brother Randhir Kapoor. Click for bigger pic!

But the sons have come up with just three films after Raj Kapoor died -- Henna, Prem Granth and now Aa Ab Laut Chalen. Here is Rishi Kapoor in an interview with Lata Khubchandani:

Why did you get into direction?

I wasn't doing much I wasn't signing films that excited me and I thought that it's time to direct a film. My wife Neetu also egged me on to do so. That's how it happened.

Does that mean goodbye to acting?

Not at all. But it does mean hanging up my boots as far as being a hero is concerned. A lot of younger people have come in and I can't be expected to compete with them. But, of course, I shall continue acting. It's my life -- acting.

And direction?

That too. You'll see in our family that we're all film-makers. And acting comes along with it.

Click for bigger pic!

What kind of roles will you do now?

I don't have any roles -- no offers have come in. I'm completely without work. But I think I'll direct another film after this as soon as I find a subject that excites me.

Why hasn't your niece Karisma been signed for any RK film yet?

Because the script hasn't suited her.

What, according to you, contributes to the success of a film -- story, direction, cast etc?

Personally, I think that the story is all-important; everything else comes later. But if there's any other way to ensure the betterment of the film, I always implement it.

How conscious were you of the RK banner when you were making Aa Ab Laut Chalen?

An early pic with wife Neetu Singh. Click for bigger pic!

Our banner has had a tradition of making films that are entertaining and yet have a larger social purpose. I wanted to follow that. But I didn't want my hero repeating what I'd done in my films. Our times were different.

So I identified a story that would go down well with today's youngsters and worked on it. I was conscious that the film should be meaningful.

And does being an actor help make you a better director?

It might help to draw out performances from one's cast but the craft has still to be learnt. While I was making this film I realised how really important a director is.

How did you choose your cast?

I wanted a fresh pair of actors. When I cast them, both Ash and Akshaye were new. I'm very happy with their work. Akshaye is a natural actor and, after seeing Ash in Aur Pyar Ho Gaya, I knew she could be worked upon.

How has the experience been?

Tough, but satisfying. Now I'm awaiting the people's final verdict.