• And a lot of new talent.

Yes, we had (Narendra) Chanchal and Lakshmikant-Pyarelal, who were new for us, the R K banner. There was (Anand) Bakshi. The whole camp was relatively new.

• And your father really wanted to do it with new actors.

When Mera Naam Joker didn’t do well, I guess Raj Kapoor’s ego was hurt. Maybe he wasn’t really comfortable with working with big stars after a failure. So he cast newcomers. The newcomer Rishi Kapoor and the newcomer Dimple (Kapadia) made Bobby. He was inspired by that chapter and Bobby was made, which was a great success. We had a lot of problems after Mera Naam Joker. The studio was mortgaged, but Raj Kapoor did not lose heart. He made Bobby.

• Tell us about how he drafted you?

When Mera Naam Joker was being cast, they needed someone to play my father’s junior in the film. My father asked my mother if I was available, because I was in school and when you’re in school you can’t be disturbed. I was sitting around there, and my father asked my mother if he could take Chintu, my pet name. I was thrilled and I ran into my room and the first thing I did was to practise my autograph. I still have those memories (laughing).

• Stardom is in your DNA.

Like I said, I was an actor by default. It wasn’t like I was being launched or Raj Kapoor was making a film to launch Rishi Kapoor. Raj Kapoor was an inspired filmmaker. He wanted to make a film and by luck, by chance, I happened to fit the bill. (When Bobby was made) I was a 19- or 20-year-old boy and that’s the age when people are in college and don’t necessarily get a chance to work with a great filmmaker like Raj Kapoor. Then there was the huge success of Bobby when I was 21. I beg to be different, not to sound immodest, but I was a big star at 21 after Bobby.

... contd.