Kseniya Ryabinkina in Mera Naam Joker

Kseniya Ryabinkina, a Russian actress who played a significant role in Raj Kapoor’s 1970 film Mera Naam Joker is back with another Bollywood film named Chintuji. It’s almost 40 years after which the actress is making another Hindi film. With a delicate heath due to age, the actress has quietly shot for film on the outskirts of Himachal Pradesh.

Ranjit Singh is directing the film while, Bobby Bedi is co-producing it. Talking about the experience he shared working with Kseniya, Bedi said, “We shot with her in a village Paragpur on the outskirts of Himachal Pradesh, a two-hour drive from Chandigarh. It was a pleasure shooting with her.”

What made the filmmakers to think about Kseniya? Bedi explained, “Chintuji draws a lot of inspiration from Rishi Kapoor’s real life. There is a mention of Mera Naam Joker in the film. Ranjit Singh suggested that we should cast Kseniya who played a very important role opposite Raj Kapoor in Mera Naam Joker because then it would really lend authenticity. She plays someone who changes Rishi’s life.”

It was not easy to rope in the actress as nobody had her contact information. “We got in touch with the Russian Film Commission and the Kapoors had a few contacts in Russia. We contacted her and she thankfully agreed. Chintuji is so close to Rishi that he has dedicated the film to his father and we are going to make a mention of that before the film begins,” added Bedi.

In Mera Naam Joker, Raj Kapoor played role of a joker for a circus. However for the same circus Kseniya played role of Marina, a Russian trapeze artiste. So the character of Raj Kapoor falls in love with her, despite having the language barrier and dreams of to marry her. But his heart breaks when Marina goes back to her country with the end of circus.

Ranbir Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor

Looking happy about son Ranbir Kapoor’s career growth, veteran actor Rishi Kapoor candidly says that it’s his work for which Ranbir is more passionate about than girlfriend Deepika Padukone.

Rishi said, “He has a long way to go yet. But I’m happy that he’s very passionate about his work. You have to love what you do, and Ranbir is absolutely engrossed in what he does, passionate about his films, just like his grandfather and his father!”

Talking about Deepika Rishi added, “Absolutely normal, I think she’s one of Ranbir’s girlfriends, so what?” Oh, kind an unconcerned statement, but don’t know whether it’s just a truth or his dislike towards Deepika.
Being a romantic hero of his times, Rishi doesn’t agree with romance idea of today’s generation. “Life is worth living with a relationship that should be committed to love, rather than just a physical relationship. After the release of Love Aaj Kal, two of my friends (who live abroad) called me. One of them told me that the film was such an eye-opener, because their kids live in the US and they have very different outlook. They feel that their kids are staying in a society where such things are common, and when they saw the film, it was easy for them to understand the true meaning of a relationship. A relationship is meant to be nurtured, and is not just about jumping into bed.” adds Rishi.
Talking about the love idea about his days, he adds, “When I started off in Bobby, people would say, ‘This is the jet age.’ That was 40 years ago. Today’s youth is more exposed to information than we were. But that doesn’t mean you change your lifestyle, dammit!”

Meanwhile, for one more time Rishi along with wife Neetu Singh is set to appear together in Do Dooni Char. Neetu had been convinced to do the film, who was thinking that she has forgotten how to act. However supportive Rishi says, “Acting is like swimming. You can never forget it. I told Neetu, Riddhima’s married now, Ranbir, by God’s grace, is doing well, so why wouldn’t you work in films? She was sitting at home, so finally she decided to act.”