Farah Khan`s first films as a choreographer were Mansoor Khan`s Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992), Kundan Shah`s Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa (1994), and Vidhu Vinod Chopra`s 1942: A Love Story (1994). A lesser-known film was Shafi Inamdar`s directorial debut, the 1995 action thriller Hum Dono, which starred Pooja Bhatt, Nana Patekar, and the late Rishi Kapoor.
Farah recalls her bond with Rishi Kapoor
“Chintu (Rishi`s nickname) last appeared as a hero in the film Hum Dono. It was one of my very first films as a choreographer. And he attempted to bully me. I had to return it to him! Farah recounted in a YouTube interview with Rishi`s daughter Riddhima Kapoor, that if you give it back to him, he is good.
“Plus, he collaborated with my father on Rafoo Chakkar (1975). My father, Mr. Pilani, played the major villain with the cat. So he and Chintu used to get along really well. He used to tell me, `Tu Kamran ki beti hai?` (You`re Kamran`s daughter),” Farah continued. Riddhima revealed that Rafoo Chakkar is one of her favourite flicks. It also starred her mother, Neetu Kapoor. Kamran Khan, Farah`s father, was a supporting actor during the 1960s and 1970s. He was also a director who went bankrupt producing lesser-known pictures.
Farah lauds Riddhima for her acting debut at 45
Farah also praised Riddhima for making her debut as a leading lady at the age of 45 in an upcoming family comedy alongside Kapil Sharma. “Hats off!” “At this age, it takes guts,” Farah added. Riddhima said, “It wasn`t even planned.” I was just getting ready when I received a call asking if I wanted to make this film. Riddhima confessed, “I think Kapil suggested my name.”
The film, provisionally titled Daadi ki Shaadi, also stars Neetu. “Then I called my mom. She inquired, `Did you get this call?` I answered, `Yes, I did. What do I do? So she told Riddhima, “Talk to Bharat (Shah, husband) and your in-laws.” She spent 45 days filming in the highlands, away from her family and daughter Samara.
“I didn`t leave Samara for three years! The first time I left Sam was my dad became ill shortly before Covid and was diagnosed in 2019,” Riddhima added. Rishi was diagnosed with leukemia and spent a year receiving treatment in New York. Months after his return, the Covid lockdown was implemented, and he died a month later in April 2020.
“I remember when I got the news, I called up Chintu. I started crying on the phone,” recalled Farah. She further added, “And he was so positive! He said, ‘Chup baith yaar! Kuchh nahi hai. Hota rehta hai. Theek ho jaunga abhi, ja ke aa jaunga.’ (Keep quiet! It’s nothing. This keeps happening. I’ll be fine after I return).”
