Director Kunal Kohli, known for memorable love stories like Hum Tum (2004), Fanaa (2006), etc. is back with Bobby Aur Rishi Ki Love Story. It marks the debut of Suchitra Krishnamoorthi and Shekhar Kapur’s daughter Kaveri Kapur and features Amrish Puri’s grandson Vardhaan Puri as the male lead. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, both spoke about the film and a lot more.
EXCLUSIVE: Kaveri Kapur talks about following in Farhan Akhtar’s footsteps and debuting as an actor-singer; Vardhaan Puri confirms there’s a strong Rishi Kapoor and Hum Tum connection in Bobby Aur Rishi Ki Love Story: “Kunal Kohli asked, ‘Imagine if Hum Tum was made today…”
The title of the film reminds us of Rishi Kapoor as Bobby (1973) was his debut film. Was this intentional and did you speak to Kunal Kohli about it?
Vardhaan Puri: In a certain way, this film pays homage to Rishi Kapoor. Kunal sir and I have been very close to him. He started the era of romance with Bobby. Thanks to what he and Dimple Kapadia ma’am managed to do in that film, it changed the game for love stories in India. When Kunal sir was writing the film and we were doing readings, we didn’t have a title for the film.
Kaveri Kapur: Then, it was called Our Love Story.
Vardhaan Puri: That was the working title. As we did readings and developed our characters, we realized that there’s a very strong association with the memory of Rishi Kapoor saab. I used to call him Chintu uncle fondly. Hence, it became fair to name the film after him. I am glad you observed the Rishi Kapoor connection.
That’s the first thing that came to mind…
Vardhaan Puri: Kunal sir had worked with him twice – Fanaa and Hum Tum. Meanwhile, I assisted on his film Shuddh Desi Romance (2013). He had a very close bond with me, and we became the best of friends. I used to spend so much time with him that he became like a family member. Hence, to play a character named Rishi was a very surreal experience. I consider him as one of the best actors that India has ever produced.
Bobby Aur Rishi Ki Love Story has a Hum Tum connection as well as we see two people meeting in a foreign country and falling in love…
Vardhaan Puri: Definitely there is. The first time I met Kunal sir, he told me, ‘Imagine if we make Hum Tum in today’s times. With the advent of social media and evolving ideas of relationships, aaj agar Hum Tum banti, toh kaisi banti?’ Though I won’t say that we are rebooting Hum Tum, there’s a strong element of nostalgia connected with Hum Tum. In other words, you will find a lot of Hum Tum-esque moments, chemistry and music in Bobby Aur Rishi Ki Love Story!
Kaveri, though Vardhaan Puri has worked before, this is your first film. How was the experience and what was the bond with Vardhaan like?
Kaveri Kapur: I would say I won the lottery with my first director and co-actor. Vardhaan and I became best friends immediately. I was quite young and had gone to a new country by myself. Vardhaan quickly became my confidante. There were moments when I was not able to do a scene properly. I would come on the set and cry! He became my support system. He’s my best friend and still is.
If a film is directed by Kunal Kohli, you can’t help but expect great songs. Hence, what can we expect from the songs of Bobby Aur Rishi Ki Love Story?
Kaveri Kapur: The soundtrack is great. I also have a song in the film, which I have composed and sung. A R Rahman uncle produced the song for me. Hence, I am very excited and lucky to have worked with such talented people. Prasoon Joshi sir wrote the Hindi lyrics. I am also proud that my debut song has a song of mine on it. Also, overall, the soundtrack is great.
Vardhaan Puri: Kaveri composed and wrote this song when she was 15. I cannot believe that a 15-year-old can write, sing and compose in such a manner. It’s one of my favourite songs not just from our album but also possibly of the year. I listened to it on a loop, maybe 25 times, the whole night. I was taking a power nap in the morning when my father woke up and exclaimed, ‘What an album’! It meant a lot coming from him as he’s a very honest critic. And yes, as you rightly said, Kunal Kohli is known for his music albums as well. He has never given a bad album. This album is no exception. I would say, it’s his best album to date!
Kaveri, if I am not wrong, after Farhan Akhtar, it’s you who’s going to debut as an actor and a singer in his/her debut film…
Kaveri Kapur: Oh, yeah! I didn’t grow up thinking that I would be an actor. It’s something that I realized much later. Debuting as an actor as well as a singer is better than anything that I could have ever imagined.
Bobby Aur Rishi Ki Love Story was shot in late 2021 and it’s releasing after a long wait. Did that make you restless?
Vardhaan Puri: The team had a very set plan that they wanted to release it in a certain way at a certain time. The plan was to bring it in 2024 or 2025. We were kept in the loop and hence, we were waiting patiently. Now that it’s finally coming out, we feel truly grateful. If you are not informed, then you start getting anxious and wonder, ‘Humne itni mehnat ki hai. Kab aayegi film?’. Hats off to the studio and platform for constantly communicating with us wonderfully.
Kaveri, how did your father Shekhar Kapur react after watching the film?
Kaveri Kapur: My father said that it’s a sweet film and a perfect romcom. I know that he liked it because he watched the film until the end, which he never did. Also, my dad cannot lie. He’s the worst liar on the planet! Hence, if he claims that he enjoyed it, then he actually did.
And what about your mother?
Kaveri Kapur: My mom, too, loves the film. She’s a sucker for love stories. Hence, she’s very excited.
What next?
Kaveri Kapur: There’s one film which I am allowed to talk about, which is Masoom: The Next Generation. I am quite excited and also nervous about it. We start prep for it very soon and then we’ll go on floors this year. To be a part of something that iconic is surreal.
Vardhaan Puri: I have signed some exciting projects which I am not allowed to talk about. My immediate next is a love story, which will be released theatrically. It is backed by a leading studio. There’s a web series and also an action musical, which I have just signed. It’ll be announced shortly. I am doing an international series – a medical thriller. Kaveri’s dad is going to head that. Kaveri, in a way, also has some connection to it!
What are your plans for February 11, the day Bobby Aur Rishi Ki Love Story releases? Will you be able to get a good sleep?
Vardhaan Puri: I doubt it! Kaveri and I are thinking of getting our friends and family together. We’ll have popcorn, hug each other and hopefully feel the emotion, which we felt while shooting the film!
Kaveri Kapur: Yes, I don’t think we’d be able to sleep all night as we would be too excited. I feel nervous but at the same time, I am blessed that this is happening.
Vardhaan Puri: I was hoping that I would leave for London to shoot for the film on a Tuesday as I am a very big believer in Shree Siddhvinayak Maharaj. And that’s what happened. I left on a Tuesday, the film was also wrapped up on a Tuesday. The edit got locked on a Tuesday. My dubbing started and ended on a Tuesday! We got confirmation of the release date on Tuesday and now the film is releasing on Tuesday as well!
Kaveri Kapur: Really? I didn’t know this.
Vardhaan Puri: Yes. And it’s so rare for a film to release on a Tuesday when the film releases on Friday. I am sure that Shree Siddhvinayak Maharaj is blessing us. Hence, I’d like to change my answer a bit. When you asked me what my plan is, my answer is that I will wake up and bow down to Ganpati Bappa as it’s all His doing (smiles).
BOLLYWOOD NEWS – LIVE UPDATES
Catch us for latest Bollywood News, New Bollywood Movies update, Box office collection, New Movies Release , Bollywood News Hindi, Entertainment News, Bollywood Live News Today & Upcoming Movies 2025 and stay updated with latest hindi movies only on Bollywood Hungama.
