Four years ago today, the curtain closed on a cinematic legend.
Rishi Kapoor
, the man who stole hearts with his boyish charm in ‘Mera Naam Joker’ and went on to become a romantic hero for generations, breathed his last. As we still remember the actor with a smile, here’s recalling some old memories of the actor. In his biography, ‘
Khullam Khulla
: Uncensored’, Rishi had once revealed that he shared a cup of tea with
Dawood Ibrahim
.
Dawood, who has been on the run since 1993, is on Interpol’s most wanted list for his long list of crimes. He has served as inspiration for many Indian crime movies and characters based on him, like the character Goldman in the 2013 film ‘D-Day’ portrayed by Rishi Kapoor.
In his book, Rishi mentioned meeting Dawood twice. The initial meeting occurred in 1988, prior to Dawood becoming a fugitive in India. Rishi was in Dubai attending an event featuring Asha Bhosle and RD Burman when he was noticed by one of Dawood’s associates at the airport. These associates were stationed at various airports to monitor the movements of VIPs.
Dawood’s assistant approached Rishi and offered him a phone, saying, “Dawood sa’ab baat karenge (Dawood sa’ab would like to speak to you).” Afterward, Dawood extended an invitation to Rishi to visit his residence.
Rishi and his friend were then taken in a shimmering ‘Rolls Royce’ and driven in circles to prevent them from recognizing the route to Dawood’s residence.
At his residence, Dawood welcomed Rishi Kapoor and his friend, serving them tea and biscuits since he didn’t drink or serve alcohol. During their conversation, Dawood shared stories of his past actions with Rishi, expressing no remorse for them. Dawood also mentioned orchestrating a murder in a Mumbai court, which inspired a scene in the 1985 movie ‘Arjun,’ starring
Sunny Deol
.
Before Rishi departed, Dawood informed him, “If you need anything at all, any money, anything, just feel free to ask me.”
The next meeting between Rishi and Dawood occurred in Dubai in 1989. Rishi and his wife Neetu were shopping for shoes at a Lebanese store, where Dawood was also seen. He was accompanied by ‘eight or ten bodyguards’ and had ‘a mobile phone in his hand.’
Once again, Dawood offered to purchase something for Rishi, but the actor declined. Dawood then provided Rishi with his mobile number, but Rishi couldn’t reciprocate because there were no mobile phones in India in 1989.
Rishi mentioned in his autobiography that, “He (Dawood) was always extremely nice to me and showed me a lot of warmth,” however, he also expressed his confusion regarding Dawood’s altered attitude towards India.
“Everything changed soon after. I don’t know what made him go after my country the way he did. I have had no interaction with him at all after that chance meeting at the shoe shop,” he wrote.
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