Celebrity gaze

January 06, 2025

When Rishi Kapoor turned down offer to do a guest appearance in Koi Mil Gaya

Rishi was offered the role of Hrithik Roshan's father in Koi Mil Gaya

By Rajesh Ahuja

Much may have been said about the popular sci fi film Koi Mil Gaya, which firmly cemented Hrithi Roshan's position in the film industry after the super success of Kaho Na Pyar Hai but what is not much known is that Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor was offered a guest appearance in the movie.

Rishi Kapoor's friend Rakesh Roshan, lovingly referred by him as Guddu, offered him a guest appearance in Koi Mil Gaya(2003) , as Hrithik Roshan's father

However, Rishi Kapoor turned down Guddu's offer to do the film as he felt that doing the role would be a bad career move on his part.

Rishi Kapoor was offered a guest appearance in sci fi film Koi Mil Gaya

Writing in his autobiography Khullam Khulla: Rishi Kapoor uncensored, the late actor said, 'Guddu (Rakesh Roshan) wanted me to do a guest appearance in his film Koi Mil Gaya (2003) as Hrithik's father.'

Caught off guard by Guddu's offer, Rishi Kapoor told him that he did not want to do the role as he felt it would be a bad career move on his part.

'It would have involved a two day stint but I told him that I didn't want to do it as I truly felt that it would be a bad career move on my part,'Rishi Kapoor said.

However, Rishi Kapoor's refusal to do the role evoked a sharp reaction from his friend Guddu, something that he was not expecting.

'I was just being frank and was totally unprepared for his(Rakesh Roshan) sharp reaction. I was left reeling when he retorted,'at this stage what career are you talking about. You do not have a career. You can only do small roles here and there,'Rishi Kapoor wrote in his memoir.

Rishi Kapoor said that the reaction of his friend Guddu left him offended.

'His remark offended me greatly though I am sure he did not mean for that to happen. He could have simply been pointing out the fact that after a certain age it is tough to create an impression in an industry that is obsessed with youth.,'Rishi Kapoor said.

In hindsight, Rishi Kapoor said that the retort by Rakesh Roshan was just the push he needed to create a distinct space for himself in the second innings.

'In hindsight I can't help but feel that his hurtful retort was just the push I needed to jump into the fray once again and create a distinct space for myself in my second innings, this time as a character artiste.

I refused Guddu's offer but itched to rise to his challenge and prove to him that I could still have a successful career. I told myself that one day I would make him admit it too,'Rishi Kapoor said.

After a successful stint as romantic hero in 1970s, 80s and 90s, Rishi Kapoor made a successful transition to character roles in the new millennium, appearing in several supporting roles in films like Hum Tum (2004), Fanaa (2006), Namastey London (2007) , Love Aaj Kal (2009).Agneepath (2012), Aurangzeb (2013) , Kaanchi (2014);Student of the Year (2012); D–Day (2013), Housefull 2 (2012) and Do Dooni Chaar (2010).