Shocking! Rishi Kapoor Takes Dig at Salman Khan’s Race 3 With ‘Film Franchises Make a Fool Out of Public’ Comment?

Ever since actor Ranbir Kapoor’s Sanju, the biopic on actor Sanjay Dutt has tasted phenomenal success with Sanju, his father and veteran actor Rishi Kapoor is on cloud nine. It’s been a while (remember, Jagga Jasoos?) he has got an opportunity to be this overjoyed and proud of Ranbir’s work. But what’s with the statements by the senior Kapoor, which sound like targeting a concept of cinema or worst, a superstar. So exactly, what are we talking about? In a recent interview, Rishi Kapoor dissed about film franchises and movie buffs cannot help feeling the 102 Not Out actor is targeting Bollywood superstar actor Salman Khan whose last film released was Race 3 that was universally panned by critics, though it managed to do a healthy box office business.

“I don’t believe in this concept called ‘film franchise’ because it’s the never the same character or actor or story in continuation. They’re just taking the name of the film and adding a part two or a part three, which I think is very unfair. It’s absolutely humbug because it’s just the similar title with a different story and in most of the cases, even the cast. It’s like bloody making a fool out of public,” Rishi Kapoor was quoted saying in his response to the popularity of film franchises.

Explaining the mindset of producers behind these series, Rishi said, “When one part has worked, filmmakers bite the bait and release subsequent parts because they want business. Gamble is too big, and nobody wants to lose. So, the match part is always a primary concern,” adding that he has never done “a part one or part two of a film” in his 45-year career. He says, “I’ve done 150-odd films so far, I am yet to work in any franchise.”

From Marvel Cinematic Universe to Star Wars, Tom Cruise’s Mission Impossible to Vin Diesel’s The Fast and the Furious, one will run out of naming star film franchises in Hollywood. Not just them, back home, we have action film series like Don and Dhoom to slapstick comedy movies like Golmaal and Housefull. In fact, even Race series has cemented its place in hearts of die-hard fans. Not every single offering by a film series be likeable but rubbishing off the concept entirely and as a matter of fact, taking pride in not being a part of any such film franchise in his career, Rishi Kapoor sounds too self-assuring.

Just like everyone, Rishi Kapoor is entitled to his opinion. What makes his statement on ‘film franchise’ so catchy is the timing of it. Just recently, actor Salman Khan-starrer Race 3, the third film in the popular Race series had released. While the film made a huge box office collection riding on Salman’s name, but Race 3 was a big let-down for the actor’s fans. Movie critics as well as fans widely criticised Remo D'Souza-directed film. And at such a time, Rishi Kapoor presents his thought about the concept.

This is not the first time we are witnessing Kapoor vs Salman in recent times. During the release of Sanju, Salman had commented how Sanjay Dutt, Salman’s good friend should have acted in his biopic and that no one can play him better than himself. While Ranbir had retorted it politely that biopics do not have the real-life person in it, but we feel it is Rishi Kapoor who is indirectly taking a dig at Salman Khan. Well, we do not know the reason behind his displeasure towards film series, but as film lovers, let us continue to enjoy a wide range of concepts and not limit ourselves to one thing. And, yes, we do not think “It’s like bloody making a fool out of public.”

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 03, 2018 03:39 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).