Rishi Raj Kapoor was born on September 4, 1952 (67 years old), in Mumbai, India. He grew up surrounded by the film world—his father was none other than Raj Kapoor, one of Bollywood’s most iconic filmmakers.
With that kind of legacy, it’s no surprise Rishi found his way into the industry early on. He started as a child actor and quickly made a name for himself, later becoming one of the most beloved romantic leads in Hindi cinema. Over the years, he also built a solid net worth through his decades-long film career and other projects.
If you’re curious to know more about his Wiki, personal life, career and achievements, and everything in between, you can check out the full biography right here.
Wiki
| Full Name | Rishi Raj Kapoor |
|---|---|
| Profession | Actor |
| Famous As | Actor |
| Nick Name | Chintoo |
| Date of Birth | 4 September 1952 (Thursday) |
| Date of Death | 30 April 2020 (Thursday); at 8:45 am |
| Death Cause | Leukaemia |
| Age (at the time of death) | 67 Years |
| Place of Death | Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Birthplace | Chembur, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Hometown | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Country | India |
| Mother Tongue | Hindi |
| Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Hobbies | Collecting Sweaters |
| Food Habits | Non-Vegetarian |
| Educational Qualification | 8th Fail |
| School Name | – Mayo College, Ajmer (attended for less than a year) – Campion School, Mumbai |
| College/University | Did Not Attend |
| Debut | Film (Hindi): Mera Naam Joker (1970, as a child actor) Bobby (1973, as a lead) Film (Director): Aa Ab Laut Chalen (1999) |
| Awards, Achievements | 1970: Bengal Film Journalists’ Association Awards: Special Award, and National Film Award for Mera Naam Joker 1974: Filmfare Award for Best Actor for Bobby 2008: Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award 2009: Honoured by Russian Government for contribution to cinema 2010: Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards: Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Love Aaj Kal 2011: Zee Cine Awards: Best Lifetime Jodi along with Neetu Singh, Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor for Do Dooni Chaar 2013: The Times of India Film Awards (TOIFA), Best Actor in a Negative Role for Agneepath 2016: Screen Lifetime Achievement Award 2017: Screen Award for Best Supporting Actor for Kapoor & Sons, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for Kapoor & Sons, Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Male for Kapoor & Sons, Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Comic Role for Kapoor & Sons |
Family
Rishi Kapoor’s father was the legendary actor and filmmaker Raj Kapoor. His mother, Krishna Kapoor, was a homemaker. He had two brothers, Randhir Kapoor and Rajiv Kapoor, who were also actors. He also had two sisters, Ritu Nanda and Rima Jain.
| Father Name | Father– Late Raj Kapoor (Actor, Filmmaker) |
|---|---|
| Mother Name | Mother– Krishna Kapoor (Homemaker) |
| Brother Name | Brothers– Randhir Kapoor (Actor), Rajiv Kapoor (Actor) |
| Sister Name | Sisters– Ritu Nanda, Rima Jain |
Physical Appearance
Rishi Kapoor was about 5 feet 8 inches tall, which is around 173 cm. He weighed roughly 90 kg or about 198 pounds. He had dark brown eyes and black hair. The information about body measurements is yet to be updated.
| Height (Approx.) | in centimeters – 173 cm in meters – 1.73 m in feet inches – 5’ 8” |
|---|---|
| Weight (Approx.) | in kilograms – 90 kg in pounds – 198 lbs |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Hair Color | Black |
Relationship Status
Rishi Kapoor was married to actress Neetu Singh. They tied the knot in 1980 and stayed together until his passing. Before that, he was also linked with actresses Yasmin and Dimple Kapadia. He had two children—his son, Ranbir Kapoor, is a well-known actor, and his daughter, Riddhima Kapoor Sahani, is a designer.
| Marital Status | Married |
|---|---|
| Affairs/Girlfriends | – Yasmin (Actress) – Dimple Kapadia (Actress) – Neetu Singh (Actress) |
| Spouse | Neetu Singh (Actress, m. 1980-present) |
| Children | Son– Ranbir Kapoor (Actor) Daughter– Riddhima Kapoor Sahani (Designer) |
Rishi Kapoor Career
Rishi Kapoor was one of those actors who practically grew up on a film set. With his father being the legendary Raj Kapoor, it felt like films were always a part of his life.
He didn’t just rely on his famous last name though—his talent and screen presence helped him carve out a long-lasting career in Bollywood. From child actor to romantic lead, and later to strong supporting roles, he stayed relevant across generations.
A Quick Look at His Film Career
Rishi Kapoor’s career in Bollywood stretched across decades. He didn’t just stick to one kind of role or one generation of fans. From the time he was a child, he was surrounded by the movie industry.
Being Raj Kapoor’s son opened doors, but Rishi proved early on that he had the talent to stand on his own. Over the years, he shifted smoothly from romantic leads to strong character roles, staying in the spotlight until the very end.
He appeared in over 150 films, and his work was loved not just in India but by Hindi film fans worldwide.
Early Glimpse on Screen
Rishi’s first time in front of the camera was more of a sweet cameo. At just three years old, he showed up in the song “Pyaar Hua, Iqraar Hua Hai” from his dad’s film Shree 420 in 1955.
Even though it was just a small scene, it gave people their first look at a future star. Growing up around film shoots and actors probably helped him get comfortable on camera pretty early.
Child Artist Days
In 1970, Rishi got his first proper acting role in Mera Naam Joker. He played the younger version of the main character, who was played by his father, Raj Kapoor.
The film itself didn’t do well at the box office at the time, but over the years, it became a classic. And for Rishi, it was the start of a career that would last for more than four decades.
Stardom with Bobby
Rishi’s big break as a lead actor came with the 1973 film Bobby. He was paired with Dimple Kapadia, who was also making her debut. The film told a young love story that connected with a lot of people, especially teenagers. Bobby was a massive hit and made Rishi a household name.
Later, he shared that Bobby was not meant to launch his career—it was more of a project to recover the losses from Mera Naam Joker. Still, it ended up doing both: it paid off the debts and gave him a dream start as a hero.
Riding the Wave of Hits
After Bobby, Rishi Kapoor became one of the most popular romantic heroes of the 1970s and 1980s. He had a natural charm and a soft look that made him a favorite in love stories and family dramas.
He starred in hits like Khel Khel Mein, Rafoo Chakkar, and Amar Akbar Anthony. One of his most memorable films from this time was Karz, a musical thriller about reincarnation.
He was also praised for Prem Rog, a film that talked about widow remarriage—something that wasn’t shown often in mainstream cinema. His ability to mix fun roles with meaningful stories made him stand out.
Bold Choices and Deep Characters
Even when romantic roles were his strength, Rishi didn’t shy away from trying something new. In Ek Chadar Maili Si, he played a man forced by tradition to marry his widowed sister-in-law. This role was quite different from his usual clean-cut image. He also took on strong supporting roles in multi-hero films like Coolie, Naseeb, and Chandni.
In Henna, he starred opposite Pakistani actress Zeba Bakhtiyar in a film about love across borders. It was a special project, first started by his father Raj Kapoor and later completed by his brother Randhir Kapoor. Henna even became India’s official entry for the Oscars that year.
Entering the Character Actor Phase
By the early 2000s, Rishi had smoothly moved into character roles. Instead of trying to hold on to romantic leads, he picked parts that suited his age and added something to the story.
He played supporting roles in films like Hum Tum, Fanaa, and Love Aaj Kal. These roles helped a new generation of viewers connect with him.
He also tried his hand at international projects, like Don’t Stop Dreaming, proving that he was open to all kinds of work, even outside the usual Bollywood space.
Surprising Roles in His Later Years
In the 2010s, Rishi Kapoor took on roles that surprised a lot of people. He played tough and unexpected characters. As the villain in Agneepath, he was intense and ruthless—completely different from his romantic past.
In Student of the Year, he played a flamboyant, gay college dean with perfect comic timing. On D-Day, he stepped into the shoes of Dawood Ibrahim, the most wanted gangster in India.
He also earned big praise for his role in Do Dooni Chaar, where he played a middle-class teacher trying to buy a car for his family. He won the Filmfare Critics Award for that role. His part in Kapoor & Sons also stood out—he played a cheeky old grandpa and brought both humor and warmth to the film.
Saying Goodbye to Powerful Films
Even near the end of his life, Rishi Kapoor kept picking meaningful and challenging roles. In 102 Not Out, he was paired with Amitabh Bachchan again, and they played a quirky father-son pair.
In Mulk, he played a Muslim man wrongly accused of terrorism, and his performance was praised for its honesty and emotion. His last two releases while he was alive were Jhootha Kahin Ka and The Body.
After he passed away in 2020, he had one film left to complete—Sharmaji Namkeen. Actor Paresh Rawal stepped in to finish the rest of the film. It was finally released on Amazon Prime Video in 2022 and gave fans one last chance to see him on screen.
Awards
Rishi Kapoor received many awards throughout his career for both leading and supporting roles. He was praised for his performances in romantic, comic, and negative roles. Here’s a full list of the awards and nominations he earned over the years:
| Year | Award Name | Category | Work | Result |
| 1971 | National Film Awards | Best Child Actor | Mera Naam Joker | Winner |
| 2008 | Filmfare | Lifetime Achievement Award | – | Winner |
| 2008 | Bombay International Film Festival | Significant Contribution to Indian Cinema | – | Winner |
| 2010 | Filmfare | Best Supporting Actor | Luck by Chance | Nominee |
| 2010 | Apsara Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Luck by Chance | Nominee |
| 2010 | Apsara Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Love Aaj Kal | Winner |
| 2010 | Stardust Awards | Best Actor | Chintu Ji | Nominee |
| 2011 | Filmfare (Critics’) | Best Actor | Do Dooni Chaar | Winner |
| 2011 | Global Film Awards | Best Actor | Do Dooni Chaar | Nominee |
| 2011 | New York Indian Film Festival | Best Actor (Jury Award) | Do Dooni Chaar | Winner |
| 2011 | Stardust Awards | Best Actor | Do Dooni Chaar | Nominee |
| 2012 | People’s Choice Awards | Favourite Ensemble Cast | Housefull 2 | Winner |
| 2012 | People’s Choice Awards | Favourite Ensemble Cast | Agneepath | Nominee |
| 2012 | Cosmopolitan Awards | Best Ensemble Cast | Housefull 2 | Winner |
| 2013 | Filmfare | Best Supporting Actor | Agneepath | Nominee |
| 2013 | IIFA | Best Negative Role | Agneepath | Winner |
| 2013 | Zee Cine Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Student of the Year | Nominee |
| 2013 | Zee Cine Awards | Best Negative Role | Agneepath | Nominee |
| 2013 | Apsara Awards | Best Comic Role | Student of the Year | Nominee |
| 2013 | Stardust Awards | Best Negative Role | Agneepath | Nominee |
| 2013 | IBNLive Movie Awards | Best Negative Role | Aurangzeb | Nominee |
| 2013 | Times of India Film Awards | Best Negative Role | Agneepath | Winner |
| 2013 | Ghanta Awards | Worst Supporting Actor | Agneepath, Housefull 2, Jab Tak Hai Jaan | Nominee |
| 2013 | Dainik Bhaskar Awards | Antisocial Character of the Year | Agneepath | Nominee |
| 2014 | IIFA | Best Negative Role | Aurangzeb | Winner |
| 2014 | IIFA | Best Negative Role | D-Day | Nominee |
| 2014 | Zee Cine Awards | Best Negative Role | D-Day | Nominee |
| 2014 | Zee Cine Awards | Best Comic Role | A Pure Desi Romance | Nominee |
| 2014 | Apsara Awards | Best Negative Role | Aurangzeb | Nominee |
| 2014 | Screen Awards | Best Negative Role | D-Day | Winner |
| 2014 | Bollywood Hungama Awards | Best Negative Role | Agneepath | Nominee |
| 2016 | FOI Online Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Kapoor & Sons | Nominee |
| 2017 | Filmfare | Best Supporting Actor | Kapoor & Sons | Winner |
| 2017 | IIFA | Best Supporting Actor | Kapoor & Sons | Nominee |
| 2017 | IIFA | Best Comic Actor | Kapoor & Sons | Nominee |
| 2017 | Zee Cine Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Kapoor & Sons | Winner |
| 2017 | Zee Cine Awards | Best Comic Actor | Kapoor & Sons | Winner |
| 2017 | Stardust Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Kapoor & Sons | Winner |
| 2017 | News18 Reel Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Kapoor & Sons | Nominee |
| 2017 | Bollywood Film Journalist Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Kapoor & Sons | Winner |
| 2017 | Bollywood Film Journalist Awards | Legendary Couple of Bollywood | – | Winner |
| 2017 | HT India’s Most Stylish Awards | Most Stylish Couple | – | Winner |
| 2018 | FOI Online Awards | Best Ensemble Cast | Mulk | Nominee |
| 2019 | Screen Awards | Best Actor (Critics) | Mulk | Nominee |
| 2019 | Bollywood Film Journalist Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Rajma Chawal | Nominee |
| 2019 | Bollywood Film Journalist Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Mulk | Nominee |
| 2019 | Bollywood Film Journalist Awards | Best Actor | 102 Not Out | Nominee |
| 2023 | Hitlist OTT Awards | Best Actor (Male) | Sharmaji Namkeen | Nominee |
Controversies
Rishi Kapoor wasn’t afraid to speak his mind, both on and off-screen. His bold tweets and public comments often stirred up debates and sometimes led to controversy. Here’s a look at some of the moments that grabbed headlines:
| Date | Controversy | Description |
| March 2015 | Comments on Beef Consumption | Rishi Kapoor expressed frustration over linking food to religion, saying he’s a beef-eating Hindu. |
| May 2016 | Criticism of Gandhi-Nehru Naming | He questioned the need to name everything after the Gandhi-Nehru family, sparking debate. |
| April 2017 | Condemnation of Young Actors | He slammed younger actors for not attending Vinod Khanna’s funeral, calling it disrespectful. |
| August 2017 | Indecent Image Tweet | He posted a controversial image of a child, which led to a police complaint. |
| July 2017 | Women’s Cricket Team Tweet | He joked about Ganguly’s shirtless celebration during the Women’s World Cup, causing backlash. |
| August 2016 | Kim Kardashian Comparison | He shared a meme comparing Kim Kardashian to onions, which many found offensive. |
| March 2020 | Comments on the Nirbhaya Case | He vented over the delay in justice in the Nirbhaya case, linking it to his film ‘Damini’. |
Net Worth & Salary
Rishi Kapoor had an estimated net worth of around $40 million, which is roughly INR 256 crore. His income mainly came from films, brand work, and other projects. On average, his salary was said to be between INR 18 – 20 crore.
| Net Worth in USD (Approx.) | $40 Million |
|---|---|
| Net Worth in Indian Rupees (Approx.) | ₹256 Crore |
| Salary (Approx.) | ₹18-20 Crore |
| Car & Bike Collection | Mercedes-Maybach S500, Mercedes-Benz GLS, BMW 5-Series, Mercedes G63 AMG, Audi R8, Audi A8, Land Rover Range Rover Vogue, Mercedes-Benz S-Class |
| Income Source | Acting, Brand Endorsement |
Social Media Handles
| @rishi_kapoor_rk | |
| @chintskap |
Rishi Kapoor Songs Lyrics
Interesting Facts About Rishi Kapoor
- Rishi Kapoor never watched his own film Mera Naam Joker after its release.
- He was the first Kapoor to kiss on-screen, breaking a long family no-kiss tradition.
- Rishi had a personal diary where he noted down food spots from all over the world.
- Despite being a foodie, he never learned how to cook.
- Rishi was obsessed with watching TV game shows and rarely missed an episode.
- Kapoor had a soft spot for old Hindi songs and could sing many by heart.
- He didn’t believe in social media initially but later became famous for his unfiltered tweets.
- Rishi was superstitious about film titles and believed that names affected box office results.
- He once turned down a major Hollywood role because he didn’t want to move out of India.
FAQs
How old is Rishi Kapoor?
Rishi Kapoor was 67 years old when he passed away in 2020.
What is Rishi Kapoor’s height?
He was about 5 feet 8 inches tall.
What is Rishi Kapoor’s Net Worth?
Rishi Kapoor’s net worth was around $40 million (INR 256 crore).
What is Rishi Kapoor’s salary?
His salary was approximately INR 18 – 20 crore.