Long before Rishi Kapoor became one of Hindi cinema’s most cherished leading men, audiences first saw him as the innocent child in Mera Naam Joker. Directed by his father, the legendary Raj Kapoor, the film showcased Rishi’s natural screen presence, earning him widespread admiration. Raj Kapoor later launched him as a hero in Bobby, a blockbuster that instantly cemented his stardom. Under the guidance of Bollywood’s ultimate showman, Rishi carved a lasting legacy of his own.

Yet, even amidst this celebrated father-son bond, Rishi once turned down a film narrated by Raj Kapoor himself—simply because it required night shoots.

Filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, known for Rang De Basanti, recently recounted this story while sharing his experience working with Rishi on Delhi 6, starring Abhishek Bachchan, Sonam Kapoor, and Waheeda Rahman. Mehra revealed that Rishi instantly connected with the Delhi 6 script but hesitated due to its night schedules.

“He once told me that Raj Kapoor narrated a film which required just two or three nights of night shoots, and he walked away,” Mehra shared. “So when you told me the entire film is at night, I was curious how he would respond.”

Despite his personal boundaries, Rishi chose to make an exception for Delhi 6. “He agreed because the story reminded him of Jaagte Raho, and he felt a strong social message in it,” said Mehra. This marked the first time Rishi shot extensively at night in his career.

In the end, Delhi 6 became more than a professional milestone—it was a heartfelt bridge between generations of cinema, uniting Rishi Kapoor’s legacy with a story that resonated deeply with him.