Rishi Kapoor and RD Burman had a great partnership.
Rishi Kapoor and music composer RD Burman were close friends and considered each other family.
RD Burman was a game-changer for Rishi Kapoor’s career, crafting the unforgettable musical magic that turned the actor into a superstar. Rishi Kapoor – the charming heartthrob of Bollywood – lit up the screen with RD Burman’s mesmerising tunes. From the iconic love anthem “Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko” in Bobby to the romantic flair of “Main Shaayar To Nahin” in Chandni, each track was a perfect match for Rishi’s vibrant on-screen presence. Rishi Kapoor once shared with Subhash K. Jha about his deep bond with the legendary composer and how he called Rishi, looking for work, before he passed away.
In the interview for Rediff, Rishi Kapoor remembered how Pancham was ahead of his time. He said that irrespective of the film doing well or not, RD Burman’s music was fantastic. It fit his age and image perfectly. Besides, the ace music composer loved to watch Rishi Kapoor perform. “He told my directors, ‘Chintu perform kar rahaa hai mera gaana? I want to see him do it.’ I’d get nervous,” he recalled.
He also recalled how they the legendary music composer was out of work just before he passed away. He had called Rishi Kapoor to seek work opportunities. “Pancham and I were great buddies. Just before he died, he called me and said, ‘I’m not short of cash, but I desperately need work.’ I explained to him that producers came to me with pre-decided music directors,” said Rishi Kapoor.
Rishi Kapoor and RD Burman were like family to each other. He remembered, “On the sets of Nasir Hussain’s films like Hum Kissise Kam Nahin and Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai he’d have lunch with Nasirsaab and then watch me dance. It was a great compliment. For the song Dil Dena Khel Hai Dildar Ka in Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai. Pancham came on the sets twice because the choreographer Suresh Bhatt was also his buddy. He used to shout, ‘Buck up, buck up’. We were all a team.”
RD Burman’s electrifying compositions not only showcased Rishi’s talent but also made him a household name. Their musical partnership in the 70s and 80s set the stage for some of the most memorable musical moments in Bollywood history, solidifying Rishi Kapoor’s legacy as a leading man with unforgettable hits to his name.
RD Burman passed away in 1994 due to a heart attack at the age of 54. Rishi Kapoor passed away in 2020 after a two-year battle with cancer.
