Padmini Kolhapure remembers Rishi Kapoor says ‘Rishi Kapoor ji was a great romantic on-screen but the opposite otherwise’

Padmini Kolhapure, a rabid Rishi Kapoor fan, found herself to be his ladylove in Prem Rog by chance. Padmini, as Manorama, traversed an arc– from insecurity to verve with Rishi's Devdhar walking along her bristly path in Raj Kapoor's trenchant take on caste and patriarchy. Manorama's innocence was tempered by his ferocity. Manorama allegorized spring's second call while dressed in white and fleeing from Dev and herself in the flower-strewn fields.

Prem Rog is as significant in Padmini's career as it is in Rishi Kapoor's. Though they went on to work on several films together, their mutual admiration and respect remains the foundation of their relationship. Her first screen love is undeniably the most important person in her life story.

Since Bobby, I've been a huge fan of Rishi Kapoor (1973). As a child, I must have seen Bobby dozens of times at the Chandan theatre, which was close to my home in Juhu. I recall skipping school with my sister Shivangi (Kolhapure) and our friend Shama to see Rafoo Chakkar, Zehreela Insaan, and Khel Khel Mein. His linking up with Neetu Singh was enchanting.

Padmini says “ Rishiji, of course, I was very much intimidated by him when we began shooting for Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai. We first shot the song Poocho na yaar kya hua. My heart was pounding. But Rishiji made me feel comfortable. Because it was a song and dance sequence, something which I enjoyed, I pulled it off. Had it been a dramatic scene, it would have been tough. It’s not that I was facing the camera for the first time. As a child actor, I’d worked earlier with stalwarts like Sanjeev Kumar (Zindagi), Hema Malini (Dream Girl), and Rajesh Khanna (Thodisi Bewafaii) … But because I was in awe of Rishiji and was his ardent fan, I felt nervous.”

She says that Rishi Kapoor was not happy with Prem Rog used to say “Sab toh Padmini ka hai! It’s a woman-oriented film. Mere dates kyon maang rahe ho? Main kya kar raha hoon? Padmini ke lo, usski film hai.”

She further commented “The truth is, Rishiji looked in love in every film. (Laughs) He was a great romantic on-screen but the opposite otherwise. You could fall in love with him watching him on screen. But you would be shuddering and shivering when you meet him personally.”

Padmini and Rishi Kapoor did many films together like Yeh Ishq Nahin Aasaan (1984), Rahi Badal Gaye (1985), Pyaar Ke Kabil (1987).