Rishi Kapoor shared special bond with Kashmir

Veteran Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor, who passed away in Mumbai on Thursday shared a special bond with people of Kashmir.

Kapoor has played lead role in many films shot in Kashmirespecially during 1970s and 80s. Soon after the news came about Kapoor’sdemise, many of his fans here felt dejected.

   

Narinder Singh, owner of Pahalgam Hotel who knew Kapoorpersonally due to latter’s frequent visits to the Valley recounted:

Kapoor was “quite social and outgoing person who lovedKashmir”, Singh recalled. “He stayed at my hotel several times during his visitto Pahalgam.”

79-year-old Singh said that during the shooting of a song”khulam khula pyaar karenge hum dono” from the film “Khel Khel Main”, Kapoorhad danced on the streets of Pahalgam, attracting crowds in large numbers.

“Kapoor was not just fond of Kashmiri cuisine Wazwan, hevery much liked locally grown saag,” he said.

Singh said: “Our bond was so close that often his father RajKapoor ji used to be frank with me about his relations with son Rishi. Lasttime when he (Rishi Kapoor) visited Kashmir in 2011, he gave me his mobilenumber and asked me to remain in touch,” Singh said.

He said that among others actors, Prem Nath, who had playedthe role of the father of female lead Dimple Kapadia in Bobby had also stayedat his hotel.

Many youngsters also remember the shooting of the song “humtum ek kamre main band ho” for film “Booby” at Gulmarg.  The place where the song was shot laterbecame popular by the name of “Bobby Hut”. There is even a tourist hut in Pahalgam know by this name.

Hotelier Aqeel Nedou, who had family friendship with Kapoorssaid: “I remember my father telling me that the Kapoor’s used to enjoy anglingon the Ferozpur Nallah in Tangmarg. I still have the photographs of the fishingand picnic days the families spent together,” says Nedou.

Another Gulmarg-based hotelier in whose property Kapoorstayed the most, on Wednesday posted a photograph of the actor from his lastKashmir visit of 2011, in which the actor is seen posing outside the “BobbyHut” at Gulmarg.

“When Rishi ji visited Gulmarg few years ago, I was puzzledto see him being driven around by the same elderly local driver who hadaccompanied him even during 1980s,” the hotelier said. He said Rishi Kapoorduring his Kashmir visits also used to enjoy staying in houseboats at Nigeenlake.

Condolences over Kapoor’s demise poured on the social media.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah in atweet wrote: “From Bobby to Karz to Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai, your movies &some of the dialogues have been such an integral part of my childhood. You madea little hut in Gulmarg an iconic place with one song. Farewell & thankyoufor the memories. #riprishikapoor,”.

As per many tourism players, the friendship Kapoor sharedwith tour trade icon of the Valley, late Nazir Bakshi was also quite acherished one.

Bakshi’s daughter Shazia Bakshi tweeted: “Am devastated atthe passing away of a dear friend of my dad & family. He loved Kashmir,dancing, my mom ka roganjosh & my dad. You grew up watching his movies. Igrew up seeing him in & out of my home”.

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