Book review: His life and times, as he lived it

This one’s from the heart, my life and times, as I lived it,” says actor Rishi Kapoor as he begins to talk about his autobiography Khullam Khulla: Rishi Kapoor Uncensored, excerpts from which continue to make headlines for their explosive revelations. The book’s title has been borrowed from the 64-year-old actor’s famous song Khullam Khulla Pyar Karenge Hum Dono. Rishi has co-authored the book that is filled with his characteristic candour with journalist Meena Iyer. “After a point in my life and career, I realised it was important for an artiste, whose journey started from the age of two, to be documented. People say I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth. Yes, I agree, but what’s my fault in it? I may have not slept on pavements or gone hungry and had a huge hit in Bobby. But what after that? My films flopped and I was at ground zero. I was as good as any of my contemporaries. Then, I had to fight the system. Remember, I came with a romantic film and the same year, there came a storm called Amitabh Bachchan as the angry young man in Zanjeer and he changed the whole scenario. I’ve had to struggle to find my place. So, this book is a road-map for people to follow my follies, achievements, failures, and successes,” explains Rishi, adding that his book does not boost or glorify his personality. It starts off with his early years and family life, then his initiation into films with Mera Naam Joker and Bobby, three decades as a hero (with varying degrees of success), and then what he calls his ‘second innings’ (his critically lauded work in projects like Do Dooni Chaar and Kapoor & Sons. However, the narrative doesn’t always follow a linear route. Rishi goes back and forth in time as he talks about his contemporaries such as Amitabh Bachchan, Jeetendra, his leading ladies and the music of his films. 

Documenting the most intimate happenings and instances like buying a popular best actor’s trophy for Rs 30,000 to pointing out Amitabh Bachchan’s failure to acknowledge the role played by his co-stars in making his films a success/ memorable, writing the book hasn’t been easy. “The most difficult part while writing this autobiography was to remain honest. So, we had to choose as we had to reflect on cinema, family, career etc. Meena (co-author Meena Iyer) assembled it all part by part and we took it forward. We took three and a half years to write this book,” adds Rishi. Doesn’t he fear backlash considering the revelations he’s made in the book? “Why should I? I’m not scared of backlash. I’ve always taken the bull by its horns,” he says confidently. 

Talking about his wife and actress Neetu Singh’s support, Rishi says, “I guess she (Neetu) has lost weight. People normally tell me that I don’t feed my wife. No, but I must tell you that Neetu has had to put up with a very impatient man. Neetu has been with me since last 37 years. Meena has been there since last three and a half years. I really marvel the way they have coped with it.” 

Apart from these, Rishi has also revealed in his book some of his past incidents right from when he had an awkward encounter with one of his past girlfriends, to sleeping drunk next to his father and his conversation with late filmmaker Manmohan Desai regarding 1977 film Amar Akhbar and Anthony. There is also mention of a ‘tea date’ with indicted racketeer and terrorist Dawood Ibrahim. Finally, a heart-warming afterword by Neetu Singh rounds off what can be called the warmest biography an Indian star has ever penned. 

Author: Rishi Kapoor and Meena Iyer 

Genre: Autobiography 

Publisher: Harper Collins 

Price: Rs. 599