Bollywood legends Rishi Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan shared the screen in several hit films, including Amar Akbar Anthony and Naseeb, but their journey wasn’t without tension. In his autobiography, Khullam Khulla, Rishi Kapoor offered a rare glimpse into the underlying competition he felt between himself and Amitabh Bachchan, acknowledging an unspoken rivalry that impacted him deeply.
Silent Competition Between Rishi Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan
According to Rishi Kapoor, the tension stemmed from the kinds of roles each actor received. Amitabh Bachchan’s “angry young man” persona ruled the screen in the 1970s, reshaping Bollywood’s trend towards action-heavy roles. This shift left romantic actors like Rishi Kapoor with fewer opportunities to play central roles. In his autobiography, Rishi admitted, “Directors always reserved their strongest roles for Amitabh. Shashi Kapoor, Shatrughan Sinha, Vinod Khanna, Dharmendra, and I felt it, but we accepted it gracefully.”
Roles Created for Amitabh Bachchan’s Style
Rishi wrote about the way Bollywood favored Amitabh’s action-hero image, while romantic and dramatic roles became secondary. As a newcomer at 21, Rishi noticed how the industry’s focus on intense action films limited his chances for central roles. “Amitabh changed the trend of films in the 1970s. Action started with him. I think only passion brought me success despite the limited options,” he shared.
This dynamic led to a natural tension, as Rishi wanted to carve his own space in Bollywood. Despite being a younger star, he held his own in an industry that was quickly moving toward a more action-oriented style. Still, Rishi acknowledged that these changes in Bollywood shaped his career and that his passion for acting fueled his journey.
Rishi Kapoor Felt Amitabh Didn’t Credit His Co-Stars
One of the standout points in Rishi Kapoor’s book is his view on Amitabh’s relationship with his co-stars. Rishi noted that while Amitabh was widely recognized for his roles, his co-stars didn’t always receive the credit they deserved. For instance, Shashi Kapoor’s performance in Deewar, Rishi’s role in Amar Akbar Anthony, and even Vinod Khanna’s strong performances in Amitabh’s films were rarely highlighted.
“Amitabh never really acknowledged the contributions of others publicly,” Rishi wrote, feeling that his and his peers’ efforts were often overlooked. Despite this, Rishi didn’t resent the situation but accepted it as “the way things were” in the industry at the time.
A Rocky Relationship That Turned Into a Bond
Initially, Rishi and Amitabh didn’t have much of a personal relationship. Rishi recalls feeling uncomfortable around Amitabh, who was 10 years older, and he would call him “Amitabh” instead of the respectful “Amit ji.” On the sets of Kabhi Kabhie, the two barely interacted. But over time, this tension faded, and they became friendly after working together in Amar Akbar Anthony. Their relationship eventually grew into a warm family bond when Amitabh’s daughter, Shweta, married Nikhil Nanda, son of Rishi’s sister, Ritu Nanda.
Rishi Kapoor’s account sheds light on an era of Bollywood where the rise of the action genre created silent rivalries. Even with the challenges and competition, Rishi respected Amitabh’s talent, and both actors ultimately built lasting legacies.
