Had he been alive today, Rishi Kapoor would have stepped into his 73rd year with his trademark two pegs of whisky in hand. A star who lived life with zest, Rishi Kapoor’s love for good food, drink, and laughter was no secret. His fondness for alcohol often found its way into conversations, interviews, and even his autobiography Khullam Khulla: Rishi Kapoor Uncensored. More than a habit, it became a part of the many stories that people fondly remember about him.
On his birth anniversary, it’s worth revisiting some of these anecdotes—episodes that show not just his love for whisky but also his unfiltered honesty and larger-than-life personality.
Rishi Kapoor never shied away from admitting his fondness for alcohol. In an interview with Filmfare, he said candidly:
This frank acceptance defined him. He never tried to paint a perfect picture of himself. Instead, he embraced his flaws and celebrated his passions, making him relatable despite being a star.
The Breakup, Neetu Kapoor, and Yasmin
Perhaps nothing reflects Rishi Kapoor’s uninhibited streak better than the incident he himself shared in his memoir.
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Before marrying Neetu Kapoor, Rishi was in a relationship with a woman named Yasmin. As stardom knocked on his door, the relationship began to crumble. When the two broke up, Rishi was devastated. Around the same time, he was shooting for Zehreela Insaan in Chitradurga, Karnataka, opposite Neetu Singh (later Neetu Kapoor).
In his autobiography, he confessed how he coped:
It was an unusual yet heartfelt admission—of a young man torn between heartbreak and whisky, finding comfort in a woman who would eventually become his life partner.
He went on to add that while he did meet Yasmin a few times afterward, he had by then made peace with the separation. Yasmin later married one of his close friends, and Neetu Kapoor remained cordial with her. Years later, when Yasmin passed away, Rishi wrote that her untimely death saddened him deeply.
Johnnie Walker and the Man Who Loved His Drink
Rishi Kapoor’s choice of alcohol was as iconic as his films. Reports suggest that he particularly favored Johnnie Walker Black Label whisky, often sourcing bottles from London. His fondness wasn’t hidden from anyone close to him, and the ritual of two nightly drinks became almost a part of his identity.

Family, friends, and colleagues often recalled evenings spent with him, where his wit grew sharper with every sip, his laughter louder, and his stories even more animated. Whisky was not just a drink for Rishi Kapoor—it was part of his personality, a constant companion through his highs and lows.
Outsmarting the Doctor During Cancer Treatment
One of the most striking stories about Rishi Kapoor and alcohol came from his final years. After being diagnosed with leukemia, his doctors restricted his alcohol intake strictly. But the actor, true to his irreverent nature, found a way to bend the rules.
According to Ranbir Kapoor, his father told the doctor that he couldn’t sleep without his nightly drinks. Cleverly, Rishi convinced him to allow two pegs as a replacement for sleep medication. Not only that, he later went a step further—convincing Neetu Kapoor that the doctor had actually prescribed three drinks a night for him!
This mischievous tale became a family anecdote, one that revealed Rishi Kapoor’s trademark blend of humor, stubbornness, and charm—even in the face of illness.
More Than Just the Alcohol
Though his stories about alcohol often get the spotlight, Rishi Kapoor was far more than his fondness for whisky. He was a prolific actor whose career spanned over four decades. From his breakout role in Bobby to memorable performances in Kabhi Kabhie, Amar Akbar Anthony, Hum Kisise Kum Naheen, and later films like Do Dooni Chaar and Kapoor & Sons, he proved his versatility time and again.
He wasn’t afraid of reinvention. In his later years, he moved away from romantic leads and embraced character roles that showcased his depth as an actor. Audiences saw him as the lovable father, the strict patriarch, and sometimes even the antagonist—each role laced with conviction and energy.
Ranbir Kapoor once described his father as a man who loved “alcohol, food, and family.” That simple description captures his essence: a man who celebrated life in all its colors, never hiding his flaws, and always living unfiltered.
A Legacy Beyond the Glass
Rishi Kapoor’s stories—whether about whisky, love, or cinema—are remembered today not because they are scandalous, but because they are authentic. His willingness to tell them without hesitation gave fans a peek into the man behind the star.

On what would have been his 73rd birthday, fans remember not just the actor who lit up the screen but also the man who lived life khullam khulla—uncensored, uninhibited, and unforgettable.











