By Chaitanya Padukone- Intriguing as it may seem, the iconic R.K. song refrain ‘Aa Ab Laut Chalen’ ( Come Lets Return) symbolically happens to be the title of the Rishi-Kapoor directed movie (1999) which was shot in New York. Loyal Indian and NRI ardent fans of charismatic senior actor Rishi (‘Chints’) Kapoor are delighted. That’s because the exuberant Kapoor ( currently based in New York), has recovered from his critical ailment and is expected to return to India on September 10. The ‘zindaa dil’ actor celebrated his 67th birthday on 04th September in New York itself with guest Anupam Kher and his actress-wife Neetu over dinner at a premium eating joint. But the discerning ‘foodie that he is, the candid Kapoor was “disappointed” and he found the restaurant “highly over-rated,over priced and arrogant”. Although this time there is no RK Studios Ganeshotsav, for obvious reasons, Rishi who is a staunch Ganesha-bhakt will land in Mumbai before the final-day Ganapati ‘visarjan’ ( immersion) As is known Rishi’s doting actress wife Neetu Kapoor had shifted her base to New York and has been stationed ever since her actor-hubby was admitted to the Sloan-Kettering for intensive treatment. That Rishi is immensely popular among the film-fraternity, is evident with the fact that besides Ranbir and his girl-friend Alia Bhatt, a galaxy of Bollywood luminaries including Juhi Chawla, Shah Rukh Khan, Boman Irani, Sonu Nigam, Aamir Khan and Deepika Padukone were among the VIP visitors who dropped in at the S K Medical Center in NY to meet him. Several noted Bollywood directors are eagerly waiting for the super-talented Kapoor to resume shooting, latest by end of this year. It may be recalled, that in May last year, the versatile Rishi was highly appreciated for his performance in an elderly character’s role in the satirical social comedy movie ‘102 Not Out’ . Where he sparred his histrionic talents with the legendary Amitabh Bachchan —who in turn played his super-aged yet agile father.
