The
original
rockstar
Rishi
Kapoor
is
as
excited
as
a
schoolboy.
For
the
first
time
South
Africa
is
playing
host
to
a
retrospective
to
his
films.
Says
Rishi,
"I've
not
been
recognized
as
an
actor
in
my
own
country.
From
September
16,
South
Africa
hosted
a
retrospective
of
my
films
to
celebrate
the
150
years
since
the
first
Indian
went
to
South
Africa.
They've
chosen
eight
of
my
films.
I
don't
entirely
approve
of
their
choice-
Bobby,
Karz,
Chandni,
Laila-Majnu,
Prem
Rog,
Luck
By
Chance,
Love
Aaj
Kal
and
Chintuji.
I'd
have
liked
films
like
Damini,
Amar
Akbar
Anthony,
Hum
Kissi
Kum
Nahin
and
Doosra
Aadmi
to
be
shown."
Complains
Rishi,
"I
feel
so
dejected
when
I
see
other
actors
far
more
junior
than
me
being
recognized
by
the
Indian
government
for
their
work.
I'm
being
recognized
in
various
parts
of
the
world.
But
not
in
my
own
country."
Adding
to
his
woes,
wife
Neetu
couldn't
accompany
him
to
South
Africa.
Says
Rishi,
"Ranbir
has
just
returned
from
Prague
after
a
month.
Neetu
needs
to
spend
time
with
him.
We
can't
leave
him
alone
at
home."
Rishi
misses
roles
being
written
for
him
the
way
they
are
for
Amitabh
Bachchan.
"Amitabh
Bachchan
is
an
enigma.
He
is
an
industry
by
himself.
With
the
multiplex
culture,
I'm
finally
getting
roles
that
I
like,
especially
Do
Dooni
Chaar
and
Patiala
House.
I
don't
want
to
do
any
of
those
stereotypical
father's
roles.
I
cut
those
down
those
roles
in
the
bud."
As
for
reviving
the
once-illustrious
R.K
Banner,
Rishi
sighs,
"I'm
one-third
guilty.
My
two
brothers
are
equally
responsible.
I
am
not
sitting
idle
at
home.
I'm
very
busy
as
an
actor.
I
started
acting
from
the
age
of
15
in
Mera
Naam
Joker.
For
twenty-five
consecutive
years,
I
worked
as
romantic
hero.
Then
I
almost
immediately
directed
Aa
Ab
Laut
Chalen.
Then
immediately
after
that
started
my
journey
playing
older
roles
with
Kuch
Khatti,
Kuch
Meethi.
I've
been
working
almost
non-stop
for
42
years.
Hang
up
the
boots?
I
enjoy
my
work.
I'm
very
passionate
about
my
work.
If
I
don't
work
I'll
go
into
depression."
Rishi
Kapoor
is
very
excited
about
being
paired
with
his
lovely
wife
in
new
director
Habib
Faizal's
Do
Dooni
Chaar.
"I
liked
the
director's
guts.
He
dared
to
cast
me
as
the
hero.
When
Habib
narrated
the
story
to
me
I
asked
him
which
role
he
wanted
me
for.
When
he
said
it
was
a
Maths
professor's
role
I
protested
saying
I
wasn't
saleable
and
that
he
should
take
Ranbir.
Habib
stumped
me
by
replying,
'My
protagonist
is
54.
Does
Ranbir
look
that
old
to
you?'
He
said
my
star
is
my
script.
It's
a
very
touching
story
of
a
teacher
who
gives
so
much
knowledge
to
the
world,
and
his
struggle
to
buy
a
car.
"
Habib
then
suggested
Neetu
Singh
for
the
female
lead.
But
Rishi
reminded
him
she
doesn't
work
in
movies
any
more.
Says
Rishi,
"He
suggested
my
old
colleague
Juhi
Chawla.
But
she
turned
down
the
role
because
she
didn't
want
to
play
mother
to
a
15-year
old
boy.
One
evening,
I
told
Neetu
about
the
film.
She
said,
'Are
you
mad?
I
haven't
acted
for
thirty
years.
Just
because
I
agreed
to
do
one
shot
in
Love
Aaj
Kal,
tum
peeche
pad
gaye.
'
I
reasoned
with
her.
'Ranbir
and
Riddhima
have
their
own
lives
now.
Do
this
film
for
me,
yaar!
People
want
to
see
us
together.'
I
convinced
her
to
listen
to
the
script.
And
she
agreed
immediately.
Then
I
knew
this
film
would
work..."
This
film,
Rishi
stresses,
is
not
Neetu's
comeback
project.
"She'll
do
the
film
with
Ranbir
and
me.
But
that's
it.
And
we
two
might
do
a
sequel
to
Do
Dooni
Chaar."
The
last
time
Rishi
and
Neetu
were
together
was
in
Dhan
Daulat
30
years
ago.
"We've
done
eleven
films
together.
I
don't
consider
Love
Aaj
Kal
our
film
together.
But
if
you
do
then,
Do
Dooni
Chaar
would
be
our
thirteenth
film
together.
I
sure
hope
that
no.13
proves
lucky
for
me."