As the film industry celebrates the birthday of the accomplished actress Poonam Dhillon, we take a stroll down memory lane to revisit her sentiments regarding the late actor Rishi Kapoor and his unique characteristic—his eagerness to work with newcomers.
Back in 1977, a young beauty queen named Poonam Dhillon captivated public attention with her grace and charm. Her win in the beauty pageant paved the way for a chance encounter with the legendary filmmaker Yash Chopra, who saw potential in this rising star for his 1978 film ‘Trishul’. One can still recall the enchanting tune of Gapoochi Gapoochi Gum Gum, a song from ‘Trishul’ that featured Poonam Dhillon and co-star Sachin Pilgaonkar. Young and vivacious at 16, she initially turned down the offer from Chopra. The persistence of the late great producer-director, however, paid off as she agreed to join the cast, provided her shooting was scheduled during her school holidays. The film, which included a stellar star cast with the likes of Sanjeev Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor, Rakhee, Hema Malini, and Sachin Pilgaonkar, emerged as a blockbuster hit. It marked the beginning of what would become a vibrant career for Dhillon within Bollywood.
Over the course of her career, Dhillon shared the screen with Rishi Kapoor in numerous films, especially during the peak period of the early ’80s. Their collaborations included ‘Biwi-O-Biwi’ (1981), ‘Tawaif’ (1985), ‘Sitamgar’ (1985), ‘Zamana’ (1985), ‘Ek Chadar Maili Si’ (1986), ‘Dosti Dushmani’ (1986), and a plethora of other successful projects. In her reminiscences, Dhillon expressed that she had worked with Kapoor so frequently that she lost count. Back then, she was a newcomer to the industry, but Kapoor, unlike many stars of his time, showed no hesitation in sharing the limelight with new artists. Dhillon humorously suggested that Kapoor should have been acknowledged by the Guinness Book of World Records for pairing up with the highest number of debutant actresses—a feat which he himself acknowledged with a certain pride and curiosity about what became of some of his past co-stars.
Dhillon further commented on Kapoor’s genuine and spontaneous approach to acting, highlighting his ability to seamlessly slip into his character the moment cameras started rolling, despite being jovial and playful with the crew off-screen. His eyes, she noted, would sparkle with passion during performances. Also, like the others in the illustrious Kapoor family, Rishi Kapoor was known for his love of food—a sentiment that was clear to Dhillon whenever she visited RK Studios, where she experienced the Kapoors’ famous spread and hospitality.
Their connection didn’t fade with time. Upon returning from a hiatus, they rekindled their friendship. Rishi Kapoor, Dhillon recalled, had an unashamed love for life, including the occasional indulgent drink which he never sought to conceal. His wife Neetu played the ever-watchful partner, trying to keep his diet healthy, but Kapoor, with an almost mischievous childlike glee, would quickly seize the opportunity to enjoy the delicacies he was normally supposed to avoid whenever she stepped out of the room.
The candid and fond memories shared by Poonam Dhillon paint a picture of Rishi Kapoor not just as a versatile actor, but as a man blessed with a youthful spirit and a warm heart. It is through these personal anecdotes and shared histories that the legacy of Rishi Kapoor continues to live on, celebrated by his peers and cherished by his fans. As Poonam Dhillon reflects on these moments from her distinguished career, her narrative stands as a testament to her noteworthy achievements in the world of cinema and her deep personal connections within it.
