When Rakesh Roshan Told Rishi Kapoor, ‘You Don’t Have A Career’
In the chapter ‘Buddies, Bad Men, Peers and Contemporaries’, of his autobiography Khullam Khulla: Rishi Kapoor Uncensored, Rishi Kapoor opens up about his equation with Rakesh Roshan
Rishi Kapoor’s autobiography Khullam Khulla: Rishi Kapoor Uncensored, which hit stands a few days ago, is turning out to be quite a delight. In the memoir, the actor has revealed various unknown aspects of his life, right from his affairs to the dalliances of his father Raj Kapoor and the many tiffs he has had with his contemporaries.
In the chapter ‘Buddies, Bad Men, Peers and Contemporaries’, Rishi talks about his friendship with Rakesh Roshan and why he owes the success of his second innings to the filmmaker.
Rishi writes: “An episode involving my other close friend, Rakesh Roshan, also caught me off-guard. Guddu (Rakesh Roshan) wanted me to do a guest appearance in his film Koi Mil Gaya (2003) as Hrithik’s father. It would have involved a two-day stint but I told him that I didn’t want to do it because I truly felt it would be a bad career move on my part. I was just being frank and was totally unprepared for his sharp reaction. I was left reeling when he retorted, ‘Bloody idiot, at this age what career are you talking about? You don’t have a career. You can only do small roles here and there.’ His remark offended me greatly, though I am sure he did not mean for that to happen. He could have simply been pointing out the fact that after a certain age it is tough to make an impression in an industry that’s obsessed with youth.”
He adds: “I refused Guddu’s offer but itched to rise to his challenge and prove to him that I could have a successful career. I told myself that one day I would make him admit too. Today I am glad to be in a comfortable place. I get the roles I want, I get the money I want, and I work in as many films as I want.”
Rishi goes on to admit that although Roshan and he continue to be friends, their worlds have diverged.
“Guddu is still a good friend, we still meet. But once again, our worlds have diverged. I am busy and enjoying the opportunity to play a variety of roles, Guddu is busy making films. He spends more time with Jeetendra these days. They live in Juhu and are practically neighbours, so they’re always together,” he concludes.
At the launch of his autobiography in New Delhi on January 17, he spoke about the incident and said, “I owe the success of my second innings to Rakesh Roshan."
Who knew!
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