The Kapoor family has been part of Indian cinema for generations. From Prithviraj Kapoor to Ranbir Kapoor, every member has made a strong mark. One of the most loved actors from the family was Rishi Kapoor, fondly known as Chintu Ji. Known for his charm, acting skills, and romantic roles, Rishi Kapoor worked in the film industry for over four decades. But not many people know that once, during a film shoot, he was slapped by his co-star, Padmini Kolhapure and that too, not once but multiple times.
This wasn’t an accident or a prank — it was part of a serious film scene. The shocking part? His father, Raj Kapoor, insisted on making the slap real for the sake of the shot.
When Raj Kapoor Asked His Son to Get Slapped for Real
This unusual event occurred during the shooting of the 1982 film ‘Prem Rog,’ a movie directed by Raj Kapoor and starring Rishi Kapoor and Padmini Kolhapure. The film broke stereotypes by showing a strong story about widow remarriage, which was rare in mainstream Hindi cinema then.
One of the scenes required Padmini Kolhapure to slap Rishi Kapoor. Usually, in movies, such slaps are made to look real with clever camera angles and sound effects. But Raj Kapoor, known for his perfection in filmmaking, wanted everything to look natural and raw.
So, instead of a fake slap, he told Padmini to slap Rishi Kapoor for real.
Padmini Kolhapure Opens Up About the Slap Scene
In an old interview with Hindustan Times, Padmini Kolhapure shared the whole story. Raj Kapoor told her, “No, you slap him properly. I want that real shot.” At first, she hesitated, but as a newcomer, she followed the director’s instructions.
The scene turned out to be a tough one. It took several takes due to technical issues like lighting, camera angle problems, etc. Every time something went wrong, Padmini had to repeat the slap. In total, she slapped Rishi Kapoor seven to eight times.
She said, “I was trying to do it slowly, but something kept going wrong. Once the camera had an issue, once the lighting was off. We had to retake again and again. I had to keep slapping him.”
Rishi Kapoor, although senior and already a star, remained calm. He wanted the scene to come out perfectly, too. But somewhere inside, he remembered this moment.
Rishi Kapoor’s Calm Reaction and Secret Plan for Payback
After the scene was finally okayed, Rishi Kapoor told Padmini jokingly, “One day, I will take revenge for this.” It was said with a smile, but clearly, the memory stayed with him.
Years later, during the film ‘Rahi Badal Gaye’ shooting, the tables turned. This time, Rishi had to slap Padmini Kolhapure in a scene. She remembered the earlier incident and expected him to get even.
But Rishi Kapoor surprised her.
He finished the scene in just one take, without any extra drama or repetition. This simple move became his sweet revenge. He didn’t need to slap her again and again like she had done unknowingly years ago. He did it once and perfectly.
This story shows the fun and playful bond between actors on set and also highlights the professionalism of Rishi Kapoor, who never let ego or past incidents affect his work.
The Strong On-Screen Chemistry of Rishi Kapoor and Padmini Kolhapure
The pair worked together in several movies and had a good professional relationship. Apart from Prem Rog and Rahi Badal Gaye, they also starred in:
- Yeh Ishq Nahi Aasan
- Zamana Ko Dikhana Hai
- Love Ke Do Rang
- Hawalat
Their pairing was well received, and they delivered solid performances together, especially in emotional scenes.
‘Prem Rog’ – A Landmark Film in Rishi Kapoor’s Career
‘Prem Rog’ was not just another love story. It was bold, emotional, and socially relevant. Directed by Raj Kapoor, the movie touched on widow remarriage and social taboos. It became the second highest-grossing Hindi film of 1982.
The film won many Filmfare Awards and is still remembered today for its sensitive storytelling and strong acting by both Rishi Kapoor and Padmini Kolhapure.
Rishi Kapoor’s Journey from Child Actor to Film Legend
Rishi Kapoor began his journey in films as a child. He played a small role in his father’s film ‘Shree 420’ and then played the younger version of his father’s character in ‘Mera Naam Joker,’ which won him the National Film Award for Best Child Artist.
He debuted as a hero in 1973 with the superhit film ‘Bobby,’ which became a cult classic. Over the next 40 years, he acted in over 100 movies and became one of Bollywood’s most-loved romantic heroes. Even in later years, he impressed audiences with roles in films like Agneepath, Kapoor & Sons, and 102 Not Out.
Source: News18
