The birthdays of near and dear ones always bring back a torrent of memories, nostalgia, and feelings. For the Kapoor clan, September 4, 2025, was also that kind of day—the 73rd birthday anniversary of late acting legend Rishi Kapoor. His wife, Neetu Kapoor, and son, Ranbir Kapoor, decided to remember him in a manner that truly resembled his warmth, charisma, and legacy.
On Thursday, Neetu Kapoor took to Instagram to share a precious throwback video of Rishi Kapoor from 2017. The clip was from a live show titled Khullam Khulla—Live with Rishi Kapoor, held at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The event was drawn from his life and autobiography, Khullam Khulla: Rishi Kapoor Uncensored, which is one of the sincerest books written by a Hindi film actor. In the video, Rishi could be heard recounting anecdotes to the audience, his characteristic humor illuminating the hall. In the audience, sitting at the same time, was Neetu Kapoor, who was seen laughing loudly—a moment, now a poignant memory locked in time.
Ranbir Kapoor’s Praise for His Father
Among the guests at the Dubai event was none other than Ranbir Kapoor. Reserved about his own life, Ranbir broke out with such warmth and affection for his father. He appreciated Rishi Kapoor’s willingness to share tales of his 40-year journey in films with such candor and suavity.
Ranbir responded, “A man in the industry for 40 years now, with all the stories and experiences to tell to so big an audience, I think it’s a great idea.” His words betrayed not only pride but also a son’s profound respect for his father’s tenacity and service to Indian cinema. Randhir Kapoor, the older brother of Rishi, shared the sentiment, hailing the event as “simply superb.”
Neetu Kapoor’s Emotional Note
When posting the video, Neetu Kapoor made her caption short and sentimental: “You will always remain in our hearts; happy birthday.” In those few words was the weight of years of friendship, love, and memories. Neetu and Rishi married in 1980, and though their journey had its ups and downs, they remained one of Bollywood’s most iconic couples.
Friends and colleagues from the industry joined in remembering Rishi. Sanjay Kapoor commented, “Happy birthday, Chintu. You will always be missed. So fortunate to work with you in Luck by Chance.” Urmila Matondkar and Sadia Khateeb expressed their love with heart emojis, while filmmaker Rakesh Roshan shared a throwback picture with Rishi, Jeetendra, and himself, writing, “Chintu, your spirit still lives. Happy Birthday!”
Karan Johar and Dharma Productions Pay Tribute
Dharma Productions, which had worked with Rishi Kapoor in films like Agneepath, Student of the Year, and Kapoor & Sons, also remembered the actor with a heartfelt post. They shared stills of Rishi from these films and wrote, “You and your performances will always stay in our buddhu sa mann rent-free! Remembering #RishiKapoor Ji on his birth anniversary.”
Filmmaker Karan Johar, who had directed Rishi in Student of the Year and shared a warm bond with him, reshared the post on his Instagram Stories. He captioned it, “My all-time favorite…#fanforlife.”
The Man, The Actor, The Legacy
Rishi Kapoor’s life was a tapestry woven with love for cinema, family, and his unapologetically honest personality. From his debut as a child actor in Mera Naam Joker to his own legend-making role in Bobby (1973), Rishi set the standard for romance for generations of cinema-goers. With time, he reinvented himself, playing character roles in movies such as Do Dooni Chaar, Kapoor & Sons, and his posthumous release, Sharmaji Namkeen.
Rishi died on April 30, 2020, following a two-year fight against leukemia. His death created a void in the profession, but his legacy continues to motivate actors and delight audiences. Even after his demise, his laughter, cutthroat sense of humor, and screen excellence remain with us in thousands of movies.
A Legacy That Will Live Forever
Birthdays remind us of not only the one we lost but also of the life they lived and the legacy they left behind. For Rishi Kapoor, his is a legacy that is gigantic—across decades of films that we cannot forget, a family that continues to pay tribute to him, and fans from all over the world who continue to celebrate his films.
As Neetu, Ranbir, and countless others remembered Rishi on his 73rd birthday anniversary, one thing became clear—legends never actually disappear. They stay with us in tales, in memory, and in the love people have for them. And in Rishi Kapoor’s case, his charm and cinema magic see to it that he stays “Khullam Khulla” in the hearts of millions, forever.