Rishi Kapoor was so distraught after his film Karz initially flopped that his father, Raj Kapoor, worried he had gone “mad” and asked director Subhash Ghai to intervene and “fix” him.
When Dreams Met Reality
Rishi Kapoor had immense faith in Karz, believing it would be a blockbuster that would significantly boost his career. He poured his heart into the project, certain of its success.
However, upon its release, the film struggled commercially. Its box office performance was significantly impacted by the simultaneous success of Feroz Khan’s “Qurbani” a week later.
Despite initially being an ‘average’ grosser, Karz slowly gained momentum over the years. It has since become a beloved cult classic, especially celebrated for its iconic music and influential reincarnation theme.
A Father’s Concern, A Son’s Despair
Director Subhash Ghai vividly recalled Rishi Kapoor’s reaction to the film’s initial struggle. Rishi, who had worked tirelessly and held such high expectations, was utterly heartbroken.
Ghai shared that Rishi became physically ill due to the immense disappointment. “He thought that the movie had flopped. He fell ill,” Ghai revealed in a recent interview with Radio Nasha.
Concerned for his son’s mental state, legendary filmmaker Raj Kapoor reached out to Subhash Ghai. Raj Kapoor urged Ghai, “Dost ko samjhao yaar, filmein chalti hain aur nahi chalti, yeh paagal hogaya hai” (Explain to your friend, films work and they don’t, he has gone mad).
Behind the Scenes with Subhash Ghai
Ghai also shed light on Rishi’s initial skepticism during the filming process, particularly concerning the musical numbers. Rishi questioned if Ghai, without a choreographer, could effectively shoot a song like “Dard-E-Dil, Dard-E-Jigar.”
Rishi was reportedly “shocked” by the final result, impressed by Ghai’s unexpected musical sensibility. This anecdote highlights Rishi’s passion and scrutiny even before the film’s release.
Karz’s Enduring Legacy and Rishi’s Reflection
While the initial performance was a blow, Karz eventually found its audience and critical acclaim. Its 45th anniversary approaches this year, a milestone Ghai wishes Rishi were alive to celebrate.
In his autobiography, “Khullam Khulla,” Rishi Kapoor himself recounted the profound impact of Karz’s underperformance. He described feeling “every ounce of confidence drain out of me.”
He wrote, “When that didn’t happen, I was shattered.” Subhash Ghai was so worried he enlisted Raj Kapoor to reassure Rishi that they had, in fact, made a good film, regardless of its commercial fate.
- Rishi Kapoor was devastated when “Karz” initially underperformed, leading to him falling ill.
- His father, Raj Kapoor, was so concerned he asked director Subhash Ghai to counsel him.
- Despite initial struggles, “Karz” later became a cult classic, cherished for its music and story.
- Rishi Kapoor himself confirmed the deep emotional toll the film’s reception took on him.
Rishi Kapoor, who sadly passed away in 2020 after battling cancer, lived to see Karz achieve its rightful place in cinematic history. The film continues to captivate audiences, a testament to its timeless appeal and the dedicated efforts of its cast and crew.
