Rishi Kapoor's Depression: The 'Karz' Failure

Over four decades after its release, the film 'Karz' is now celebrated for its music and distinct narrative, although it initially flopped. The movie's poor performance deeply affected star Rishi Kapoor, leading him into a period of profound depression. Kapoor recounted in his autobiography how the massive buzz surrounding the competing film 'Qurbani', released just a week later, overshadowed 'Karz'.

This commercial failure significantly impacted Kapoor's mental and physical well-being, causing him to tremble on set and feel faint. Facing the camera became a daunting challenge, compounded by anxiety. The situation coincided with his marriage to Neetu Kapoor, and he began to associate the film's lack of success with a decline in his popularity, feeling his confidence drain away.

Director Subhash Ghai also noted the film's slow start and later acknowledged it might have been ahead of its time. He revealed that Kapoor was hospitalized soon after the release due to depression, requiring reassurance from Raj Kapoor to continue working. Despite commitments to other films, Kapoor struggled to return to set, with medical professionals consulted to address his condition.

Reflecting later, Kapoor understood his breakdown stemmed directly from 'Karz's fate. He found temporary solace in evening drinks but continued to fear for his safety on set. The process of recovery was slow, but he eventually regained his normalcy. Today, 'Karz' is regarded as a classic, with songs like 'Om Shanti Om' remaining popular. Rishi Kapoor passed away on April 30, 2020.