Thursday Throwback: When Rishi Kapoor almost quit Bollywood and said, he was ‘fed up’ with being a hero for 25 years

Late legendary star

Rishi Kapoor

has had a successful career in Bollywood. From his early romantic roles to intense character roles, his transition as an actor was astonishing. However, did you know that despite being successful, there was a time when he wanted to

quit

Bollywood?
Yes, you read that right! Rishi once came close to quitting the film industry after being ‘fed up’ of playing the

hero

for 25 years.

In an earlier interview, the veteran admitted that he was ‘fed up’ with the repetitive roles he had been portraying, especially romantic ones, where he had to run around the tree and romance.
“I was fed up with working continuously for 25 years as a hero, that also with defying age, body and fat factors,” Rishi Kapoor stated in an old interview. He also expressed his disinterest in ‘running round trees chasing girls in Switzerland in ornate sweaters’. During that juncture in his career, he spoke with his wife, actor Neetu Kapoor, who supported his decision to take a break.

Neetu Kapoor

reportedly told Rishi Kapoor that if he is not enjoying his work and is looking tired and miserable it, then it’s time to take a break. “I think you had better hang up your boots,” she said.

He took a sabbatical during the 2000s, however, he kept appearing in film, but was less aggressive with work. He only had 18 releases between 2000 and 2010.
Rishi Kapoor passed away on April 30, 2020.