Rishi Raj Kapoor was an Indian actor, who starred in various movies. Besides being a Bollywood actor, he was a director and producer. He is considered to be one of the most successful actors in the history of Bollywood. He was born on 4 September, 1952, in Chembur, Bombay (now Mumbai), India. Raj Kapoor and Krishna Raj Kapoor respectively as his father and mother.  Rishi Kapoor was the grandson of Prithviraj Kapoor, who started his career as an actor in the silent era of Hindi cinema and was a pioneer of Indian theater and film as he founded a traveling theater company.  His brothers, Randhir Kapoor and Rajiv Kapoor, uncles Prem Nath, Rajendra Nath, Shashi Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor are all renowed actors of the Indian cinema. Two of his sisters are Ritu Nanda and Rima Jain. Thus, he came from a long line of Bollywood actors. He completed his studies from Campion School, Mumbai and later, pursued graduation from Mayo College, Ajmer. He won the National Film Award for Best Child Artist, his debut as an adolescent, in his father Raj Kapoor's film "Mera Naam Joker" (1970).

Rishi Kapoor's first on-screen appearance was when he was three, he had a cameo in his father Raj Kapoor's film Shree 420 (1955). A musical sequence of "Pyar Hua, Iqrar Hua Hai" was shot by him in this movie. Furthermore, Rishi performed his debut role, in Raj Kapoor's film Mera Naam Joker (1970), where he portrayed the young version of the lead character, Raj Kapoor. Rishi basically played his father's role on the screen, as a child. As an adult, his first lead role was opposite Dimple Kapadia, in 1973, a teen romance film Bobby, also directed by his father. Bobby became a instant hit, and earned Rishi Kapoor the Filmfare Best Actor Award. He made a popular pairing with his future wife Neetu Singh in 1974-1981.

Rishi Kapoor got 51 films as the leading hero from 1974-1997. But, 40 among them were box office flops, while 11 of them were hits : Bobby, Laila Majnu, Rafoo Chakkar, Sargam, Karz, Prem Rog, Nagina, Honeymoon, Banjaran, Heena and Bol Radha Bol.  He started getting roles for playing younger brother to lead heroes in movies with big casts from 1977-1994. Rishi Kapoor did 41 films with big casts from 1976-2000. While, 16 among them were flops and 25 were hits.   He married his co-star Neetu Singh, who has worked with him in several films, in 1980. They had two children— son, actor Ranbir Kapoor, and daughter, Riddhima Kapoor Sahni. Later, he chose to do those characters that were romantic and had a major role in the movies. His two films as a lead Deewana, Damini and Eena Meena Dika were hits. He then got the lead hero roles in films like Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin, Badalte Roshtey, Aap Ke Deewane, Saagar then in the '90s with Chandni, Deewana (1992), Damini (1993) and Gurudev (1994). In the 2 hero films that Rishi did in the late 70s and throughout the '80s were Katilon Ke Kaatil, Coolie, Sitamgar, Zamana. In 1999 he debuted as a director in the film Aa Ab Laut Chalen. His last film as a romantic lead was the 5-year delayed release Karobaar: The Business of Love (2000), which was unsuccessful. He eventually transitioned to character roles in the 2000s.  He has since then played supporting roles in films like Yeh Hai Jalwa, Hum Tum, Fanaa, Namaste London, Love Aaj Kal and Patiala House. He also appeared in the British films Don't Stop Dreaming and Sambar Salsa. He was paired with Neetu Singh in the film Do Dooni Chaar (2010). Rishi has acted in the movie Chintu Ji in which he plays himself. In 2012 he appeared in a villainous role in Agneepath. In the movie D–Day (2013), he played the role of real-life mobster Dawood Ibrahim. In the multi-starer Housefull 2 where he appeared with brother Randhir for the first time.He also appeared in an action comedy movie Besharam (2013) along with his wife Neetu Kapoor and son Ranbir Kapoor. Rishi Kapoor's autobiography Khullam Khulla: Rishi Kapoor Uncensored, was released on 15 January 2017. The book was written by himself along with Meena Iyer, and the title was published under Harper Collins. He came in controversies for his comment on being  a "beef-eating Hindu". In 2018,  he had his on-screen reunion with actor Amitabh Bachchan after two decades in the movie 102 Not Out. Also, he was critically applauded for his portrayal of a Muslim in the movie Mulk.

Rishi Kapoor was best known as a romantic hero, with exceptional acting skills that showed his charm and charisma and made him one of Bollywood’s leading men of the 1970s and ’80s. Later, he began taking on more supporting roles and character parts. He has won several awards in the cinematic field :-   The National Film Award for Best Child Artist for the movie "Mera Naam Joker"(1970) The Filmfare Award for best debutleading role for the film “Bobby”(1973) A Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award  for starring in 100 films (2008) Honoured by Russian Government for contribution to cinema (2009) The Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor for his performance in Do Dooni Chaar (2010) Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild (2010) Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Love Aaj Kal Zee Cine Award for Best Lifetime Jodi along with Neetu Singh (2011) The Times of India Film Award (TOIFA), Best Actor in a Negative Role for Agneepath (2013) The Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Kapoor & Sons (2016) Rishi kapoor was known to make controversial socio-political comments, stood for whatever in his eyes was right. In March 2016, he criticized the Nehru–Gandhi family over naming of roads, buildings and national assets in the name of Gandhi and Nehru. In September 2017, he slammed Rahul Gandhi over dynastic politics. In March 2020, he expressed anger and criticized the Indian Judiciary with the "Tareekh Pe Tareekh" dialogue of his film Damini over the delay in execution of the four culprits who were convicted in the Nirbhaya case due to the chink in the laws. The convicts were finally executed on 20th March at 5:30 am in Tihar Jail after it was deferred thrice.

Rishi Kapoor died on 30 April, 2020 in Mumbai. He was 67 and died of leukaemia. The family confirmed his death in a statement and requested that his fans honor social distancing guidelines amid the corona virus pandemic and avoid gathering to honor him. He was diagnosed with leukemia in 2018, thereafter went to New York City for treatment. After successful treatment for a year, he returned to India on 26 September 2019.  However, he was admitted to Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital on 29 April 2020 owing to breathing difficulties. Henceforth, the news of his death came on 30 April 2020 from leukemia. His last rites were performed at Chandanwadi Crematorium and his ashes were immersed in Banganga. His final film appearance was in  the movie "The Body", co-starring Emraan Hashmi, a mystery-thriller written and directed by Jeethu Joseph. It was released on 13 December 2019, The Body would be Kapoor's last film.  At the time of his death, he had been shooting Hitesh Bhatia's film "Sharmaji Namkeen" (2020), co-starring Juhi Chawla. It was under production and four day schedule was pending at the time of his death. On 8 May, 2020 Producer Honey Trehan confirmed that the film will be later released in theatres.