Karisma Kapoor recalls watching Rishi Kapoor's 'Dafli Wale' as a child
Synopsis
On India's Best Dancer, Karisma Kapoor revealed she watched Rishi Kapoor's 'Dafli Wale' repeatedly at Metro Cinema as a child — a personal memory that puts a human face on one of Bollywood's most beloved songs. Co-judge Jaaved Jaaferi added that very few actors could make playing an instrument on screen feel as convincing as Rishi Kapoor did.
Key Takeaways
Karisma Kapoor shared that she watched Rishi Kapoor's song 'Dafli Wale' multiple times at Metro Cinema as a child.
The moment arose on India's Best Dancer after contestant Geetanjali performed the song on the show.
Co-judge Jaaved Jaaferi called himself a 'huge fan' of Rishi Kapoor, praising his convincing on-screen musicality. 'Dafli Wale' is from the 1979 film 'Sargam' , featuring Jaya Prada alongside Rishi Kapoor.
The song was sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammed Rafi , composed by Laxmikant–Pyarelal , and written by Anand Bakshi .
Bollywood actor Karisma Kapoor recently shared a heartfelt memory of watching her late uncle Rishi Kapoor's iconic song 'Dafli Wale' multiple times at Metro Cinema as a child. The nostalgic moment unfolded on the dance reality show India's Best Dancer, where Karisma serves as a judge, after contestant Geetanjali performed the beloved number.
Karisma's Emotional Tribute
Reflecting on the song's enduring legacy, Karisma said: 'Yeh song maine bachpan mein Metro Cinema mein jaake bohot baar dekha hai. I do feel emotional as Chintu Uncle ki yaad aati hai jab yeh song dekhti hoon aur woh kaise dafli bajate hain is song mein.' (I watched this song many times at Metro Cinema when I was a child. I do feel emotional whenever I watch this song because it reminds me of Chintu Uncle, and the way he plays the dafli in this song.)
The remark offered a rare personal glimpse into the Kapoor family's bond, with Karisma referring to Rishi Kapoor by his affectionate nickname 'Chintu Uncle' — a name the late actor was known by within the industry and among fans alike.
Jaaved Jaaferi's Admiration for Rishi Kapoor
Fellow judge and veteran dancer-actor Jaaved Jaaferi also expressed his deep admiration for Rishi Kapoor on the show. He said: 'Main Rishi sahab ka bohot bada fan raha hoon. Bohot kam actors hote hain jo convincingly musical instruments bajate hain, aur Rishi sahab jaise uss gaane mein dafli bajate hain, woh aapko convince kar dete hain ki woh sach mein dafli baja sakte hain.' (I have always been a huge fan of Rishi Sahab. Very few actors can convincingly play musical instruments on screen, and the way Rishi Sahab plays the dafli in that song, he completely convinces you that he can actually play it in real life.)
Jaaferi's comments underline a quality that set Rishi Kapoor apart — the ability to make on-screen performance feel authentic, a trait that distinguished him across decades of Hindi cinema.
About the Song and Film
The song 'Dafli Wale' is from the 1979 hit film 'Sargam', featuring Rishi Kapoor and Jaya Prada. It was sung by the legendary duo Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammed Rafi, composed by the celebrated pair Laxmikant–Pyarelal, and penned by lyricist Anand Bakshi. The song remains one of the most recognisable numbers from the golden era of Hindi film music.
Rishi Kapoor's Enduring Legacy
Rishi Kapoor, who passed away in April 2020, is widely regarded as one of Hindi cinema's most charismatic leading men. His on-screen chemistry, effortless charm, and musicality — on full display in songs like 'Dafli Wale' — continue to resonate with audiences across generations. Moments like these on reality television serve as a reminder of how deeply his work is woven into the fabric of Indian popular culture.
Point of View
Often dismissed as ephemeral, occasionally delivers these unscripted moments of cultural memory that no formal retrospective can replicate.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Karisma Kapoor say about 'Dafli Wale'?
Karisma Kapoor said she watched the song many times at Metro Cinema as a child and feels emotional whenever she sees it because it reminds her of her late uncle Rishi Kapoor, whom she fondly called 'Chintu Uncle'.
Which film is the song 'Dafli Wale' from?
'Dafli Wale' is from the 1979 Hindi film 'Sargam', featuring Rishi Kapoor and Jaya Prada. It was sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammed Rafi, composed by Laxmikant–Pyarelal, and written by Anand Bakshi.
What did Jaaved Jaaferi say about Rishi Kapoor?
Jaaved Jaaferi described himself as a huge fan of Rishi Kapoor and praised his rare ability to convincingly play musical instruments on screen, saying the performance in 'Dafli Wale' made audiences believe he could actually play the dafli in real life.
Where did Karisma Kapoor make this revelation?
Karisma made the remark on the dance reality show India's Best Dancer, where she serves as a judge, after contestant Geetanjali performed 'Dafli Wale' on the show.
Who was Rishi Kapoor?
Rishi Kapoor was one of Bollywood's most celebrated actors, known for his charm and on-screen musicality across decades of Hindi cinema. He passed away in April 2020 and is Karisma Kapoor's uncle.
