Rishi Kapoor Paid 30,000 To Buy The Best Actor Award Because He Was Afraid Amitabh Bachchan Might Win It For 'Zanjeer' And Confessed, 'I Was A Brat'
Rishi Kapoor was never shy about talking. He was always outspoken and constantly admitted his faults. The ‘Bobby’ actor described his uninspiring childhood in various interviews. One interview mentioned purchasing an award, a prize he dreaded losing to his contemporaries.
Amitabh Bachchan was one of his contemporaries. Both performers were nominated for Best Actor in 1973. One debuted with 'Bobby,' while the other broke through as the Angry Young Man in 'Zanjeer.'
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According to reports, everyone expected the tall, dark, and attractive guy to win against the black woman, but Rishi Kapoor got best actor for 'Bobby.' The late actor then admitted to purchasing that prize. Read this intriguing story below.
‘The Kapoor & Sons’ actor exposed a connection between his manager and the awards committee in his memoirs “Khullam Khulla.” “I was all of 20-21 years old. I was suddenly a huge star after ‘Bobby’. I was a real brat. I was flying in those days… Somebody came to me and said that ‘We can get this award… Would you like to have it?’ So I said ‘Sure’. The person said it will cost Rs 30,000… Back then, it was big money. Who knows, the money would have never reached the guys (organisers)”. I just gave a man that money and don’t know if the guys got it.”
The 'Prem Rog' actor thinks he could have won without money. Maybe he won without money. He regrets bribery anyway. In an interview with Rajdeep Sardesai, he added,“It was my age, I had no vision, nothing was correct for me at that point in time. I was a rich man’s son, and I felt richer being an actor. I threw money around, and I regret it very much.”
In the same interview, Rishi Kapoor said that this began a cold war with Amitabh Bachchan that concluded with Yash Chopra's 1976 film 'Kabhi Kabhie.' According to rumours, Rishi Kapoor purchased the 1974 Filmfare Awards.
Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Rajesh Khanna, Sanjeev Kumar, and Rishi Kapoor were nominated for Best Actor.
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Rishi ji became a national idol after winning the prize. It was short-lived since Amitabh Bachchan's action flicks and Angry Young Man persona revolutionised Hindi cinema.
