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This article was first published 12 years ago

The Ten Rockstars of Kapoor Clan

Last updated on: November 14, 2011 14:20 IST

Song: Sadda Haq
Movie: Rockstar (2011)
Music: A R Rahman
Lyrics: Irshad Kamil
Singers: Mohit Chauhan, Clinton Cerejo

Rockstar may have received mixed reviews from critics and movie-goers alike but Ranbir Kapoor's portrayal of a conflicted musician has won him much praise. The songs have proved to be even bigger hits, with each A R Rahman composition being feted by fans. Especially Sadda Haq, which seems to be the flavour of the moment.

Ranbir Kapoor delivers an incredible, angst-ridden performance that only adds to the song's manic intensity.

It's a number worthy of the Kapoor clan, who have collectively been the face for many unforgettable numbers.

Here, we look back at other Kapoor actors and their most rocking songs. We took the liberty of choosing one song per Kapoor scion. Enjoy!

Prithviraj Kapoor


Song: Aamdhani athani kharcha rupaiya
Movie: Teen Bahuraniyaan (1968)
Music: Kalyanji-Anandji
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Singers: Prithviraj Kapoor, others

This rather interesting number is picturised on Ranbir's great-grandfather, the legendary Prithviraj.

A strict but fair father, his three sons and their families live happily under the same roof. It's a typical sixties scenario, until a beautiful actress movies next door.

The sons and bahus vie to impress her -- finances, relationships and any kind of reality check be damned! In this chirpy number, one half of the family attempts to warn the other about the pitfalls of false pride.

Suggestion: If you opt for credit at the drop of a hat, this is one song you should listen to every day!

Raj Kapoor


Song: Kisi ki muskurahaton pe ho nisaar
Movie: Anari (1959)
Music: Shankar Jaikishan
Lyrics: Shailendra
Singer: Mukesh

With this sweet, sensitive number, Raj Kapoor is introduced as the film's naive, generous, empathetic lead, aka, Hrishikesh Mukherji's Rajkumar.

He does not have an 'athani' to his name, but is perfectly willing to help whoever he can, however he can. It's a cheerful ray of sunshine before the dark clouds inevitably gather and singer Mukesh -- more known for his soulful, tragedy-riven songs -- raises his voice in a rare, uplifting beat.

Shammi Kapoor


Song: O haseena zulfon wali jaane
Movie: Teesri Manzil (1966)
Music: R D Burman
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Singer: Mohd Rafi

A thrilling story, terrific cast, great songs, spectacular sets, a terrific director -- all of these have added up to an zestful, unforgettable film.

Teesri Manzil has an equally interesting back story -- Dev Anand was originally offered the lead ro#8804 it introduced a sensation called R D Burman to the world; this was the last Nasir Hussain film in which Mohd Rafi sang all the songs...

Tragically, it was also during the making of this film that Shammi lost his beloved wife, actress Geeta Bali. O haseena comes at a pivotal time. Asha Parekh believes she is about to discover the identity of Rocky, the man she believes is responsible for her sister's death.

What she does not know is that Rocky is Anil (Shammi Kapoor), the man she is in love with. After a suspenseful pause, when the curtain finally lifts, it's not Shammi at the drums. What follows is a foot-tapping, typically Shammi number, with the beauteous Helen adding the oomph factor.

Playing the drums, by the way, is writer Salim Khan, who later went on to marry Helen.

Shashi Kapoor


Song: Paradesiyon se na ankhiyaan milana
Movie: Jab Jab Phool Khile (1965)
Music: Kalyanji Anandji
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Singer: Mohd Rafi

Here's why Jab Jab Phool Khile will always remain one of Shashi Kapoor's favourite films. This blockbuster hit allowed Prithviraj Kapoor's youngest son, Balbirraj, to step out of the gigantic Kapoor shadow and establish himself as a bonafide star.

It allowed Shashi to showcase a gamut of emotions, including those that he became most known for -- romance, exuberance and pathos! 

Shashi was cast opposite one of his favourite actresses, Nanda, who signed a number of films with him even before he became a big star. The film is filled with unforgettable songs; in this one, you can't help but sympathise with the protagonist as he bares his broken heart.

Randhir Kapoor


Song: Jaane ja dhoondta phir raha
Movie: Jawani Deewani (1972)
Music: R D Burman
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Singers: Mohd Rafi, Asha Bhosle

Raj Kapoor's eldest son may not have made it as big as the earlier Kapoors, but there can be no doubt about the fact that Randhir Kapoor's films did have good songs.

Jawani Diwani saw Randhir and Jaya Bhaduri paired for the first, and the last time. The two stars did not know that, a few decades later, they would be related to each other (Jaya's daughter, Shweta, is married to Randhir's sister, Ritu's son) and their children, Abhishek and Karisma, would almost get engaged to each other.

Jawani Diwani had some lovely songs, of which Jaane Jaan continues to remain popular.

Rishi Kapoor


Song: Meri umar ke naujawano
Film: Karz (1980)
Music: Laxmikant-Pyarelal
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Singer: Kishore Kumar

If Shammi was the Kapoor khandaan's orginal rockstar, cherubic Rishi was its dancing star.

He starred in several memorable films and songs, but somehow just failed short of achieving absolute stardom. Rishi Kapoor has proved a lucky charm for many actresses, having acted with them in their debut films.

He played the lover-boy hero for the longest time, before taking a break. Rishi, the dancing star, has now returned to the big screen as a much acclaimed character actor. If you want to know why the girls swooned over him in his hey day, take a look at Karz's Meri umar ke naujawano.

The song was filmed in a huge set, in the shape of a gramophone record player, with a record that actually rotated. Farah Khan has paid a double tribute to this iconic song.

Not satisfied with titling her second film, Om Shanti Om, she went ahead and re-created a scene from the song as well.

Rajeev Kapoor


Song: Dil lagana tum kya jaano
Movie: Ek Jaan Hai Hum (1983)
Music: Anu Malik
Singer: Kishore Kumar

Rajiv, popularly known as Chimpu, was one of the few Kapoors who never made it big. He acted in only 13 films, of which only the first two -- Ek Jaan Hain Hum and Ram Teri Ganga Maili (which was also his father, Raj Kapoor's last movie) -- were successful.

Chimpoo looked like his uncle, Shammi, and here, he attempts to recreate his famed uncle's unique style.

Karisma Kapoor


Song: Mujhko hui na khabar
Movie: Dil Toh Pagal Hai (1997)
Music: Uttam Singh
Singer: Asha Bhosle

An incredible dancer, the hardworking Karisma was the first Kapoor girl to act in films.

Her look in her debut film, Prem Quaidi, led to a lot of derision, but Karisma battled on and made herself a saleable star.

Then, with Manish Malhotra's help, she re-invented her look in Raja Hindustani after which the industry could not get enough of the duckling who had transformed herself into a stunning swan.

Karisma has always been a fantastic dancer; here, her looks only add to her moves!

Kareena Kapoor


Song: Chaliya Chaliya
Movie: Tashan (2008)
Music: Vishal-Shekhar
Lyrics: Piyush Mishra
Singer: Sunidhi Chauhan

She's clearly the blue-eyed babe of the Kapoor khandaan and, like Karishma and Ranbir, she's had a dream run.

A good dancer like her sister, she's had her fair share of controversies and is known to be a bit of a brat. This number, for example, created a couple -- she reduced to a size zero and wore -- tauba, tauba! -- a bikini.

Yet Bebo, as she is popularly known (yes, she's even sung a song to the effect!) just flicks them away like pesky flies as she goes on to mesmerise her fans with her newest jhaktas and matkas.