At the centenary celebration of legendary filmmaker Raj Kapoor during the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2024, director Rahul Rawail shared a lesser-known anecdote about the casting of the iconic film Bobby. Rawail, who was an assistant to Raj Kapoor during the making of the movie, disclosed that Dharmendra and Hema Malini were originally considered for the lead roles.
Speaking in a conversation with Ranbir Kapoor, Rawail said, “After Mera Naam Joker, when Raj Kapoor decided to make Bobby, the financial controller suggested, ‘Let’s make this teenage love story with Dharmendra and Hema Malini.’ But Raj Kapoor laughed and replied, ‘I’m going to make it with Chintu (Rishi Kapoor) and a new girl I’ve discovered.’ And that’s how the film came to life, with Raj Kapoor staying true to his style of filmmaking.”
Bobby, released in 1973, marked the debut of Rishi Kapoor as a leading man and introduced Dimple Kapadia to the silver screen.Despite initial skepticism within the industry about Raj Kapoor choosing a youthful love story instead of his usual grandeur, the film turned out to be a massive success, proving critics wrong.
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The industry gained a fresh and beloved on-screen pairing, though Dimple Kapadia’s personal life added to the film’s intrigue. She had married superstar Rajesh Khanna before the film’s release, further heightening curiosity among audiences to see “Rajesh Khanna’s wife” in action.
Rawail also shared an interesting trivia: the musical duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal, who composed the film’s evergreen soundtrack, initially misunderstood the title. “They thought Bobby referred to Rishi Kapoor’s character, unaware it was the name of Dimple’s character in the film,” he revealed.
Raj Kapoor’s Bobby remains a milestone in Indian cinema, not just for its box office triumph but for the lasting legacy of its music, performances, and fresh narrative approach.
