Poonam Dhillon corrects iconic clap step from 'Yeh Vaada Raha', calls Rishi Kapoor 'king of romance'
Synopsis
More than four decades after 'Yeh Vaada Raha' released, Poonam Dhillon is still correcting the record — literally. On a live TV set, she demonstrated that the film's iconic clap step has been performed wrong for years, and paid tribute to Rishi Kapoor as the 'king of romance' whose on-screen expressiveness no actor has since matched.
Key Takeaways
Poonam Dhillon appeared on the upcoming episode of 'Tum Ho Naa – Ghar Ki Superstar' , hosted by Rajeev Khandelwal .
She corrected the widely imitated clap sequence from 'Yeh Vaada Raha' (1982) , demonstrating the original as four claps in a specific rhythm, not five or in reverse.
Dhillon recalled that the song's fast pace required sharp rehearsal, and that audiences over time adopted a simplified version of the step.
She described late co-star Rishi Kapoor (Chintu ji) as the 'king of romance' , praising his unmatched expressions and on-screen style.
Host Rajeev Khandelwal added that he has never seen an actor emote in songs the way Rishi Kapoor did. 'Yeh Vaada Raha' featured Rishi Kapoor , Poonam Dhillon , and Tina Munim , with music by R.D.
Veteran actress Poonam Dhillon recently revisited cherished memories from the 1982 classic 'Yeh Vaada Raha', setting the record straight on the film's famous clap sequence and paying a heartfelt tribute to her late co-star Rishi Kapoor, whom she called the 'king of romance'. The candid conversation took place on the upcoming episode of 'Tum Ho Naa – Ghar Ki Superstar', hosted by Rajeev Khandelwal.
The Clap That Everyone Gets Wrong
The moment was sparked when host Rajeev Khandelwal began humming a popular number from the film and attempted the well-known clap step — only to be gently but firmly corrected by Dhillon. 'Nahi nahi nahi, galat kiya. Taali aise nahi hai,' she said with a smile, which translates to: 'No, no, no, that's not right. That's not how the clap goes.'
When Khandelwal asked her to demonstrate the original, Dhillon revealed that the version most audiences recognise today is actually a simplified imitation. 'Galat hai yeh. Original film mein jo taali thi, woh Chintu ji aur humne jo ki thi woh alag type ki taali thi,' she explained — meaning the clap she and Rishi Kapoor (affectionately known as Chintu ji) performed on screen was distinctly different from what became popular over time.
Recreating the Original on Stage
Dhillon then recreated the sequence live, breaking it down precisely: four claps in a specific rhythm — not five, and not in reverse order. 'Woh tha... Mil jaaye is tarah... tata tata tata... Aisa. Chaar taali. Paanch is tarah nahi. Ulta nahi. One, two and three,' she demonstrated, walking through each beat methodically.
She recalled that the song demanded sharp focus from the performers given its fast pace. 'Bahut hi khush gaana tha. Itna fast tha ki hum logon ko bhi sharp rehna padta tha. Logon ne zyada tar uska aasaan tareeka dhoondh liya aur bas aise hi kar dete the,' she said — noting that over time, audiences gravitated toward an easier version and the original choreography was gradually lost in popular memory.
Remembering Rishi Kapoor: 'King of Romance'
The conversation naturally turned to Rishi Kapoor, whose on-screen charisma left a deep impression on Dhillon. Reflecting on his unmatched expressiveness, she said: 'Chintu ji... he was king of romance. Unka expression, unka andaaz...' — his expressions and style, she added, were simply unmatched once the camera rolled.
Host Rajeev Khandelwal echoed her admiration, saying: 'Aaj tak maine koi aisa actor nahi dekha jo unki tarah gaanon par react kar sake' — meaning he has yet to see an actor who could emote in songs the way Kapoor did. The tribute underlines the enduring regard the industry holds for the actor, who passed away in April 2020.
About 'Yeh Vaada Raha' and Its Legacy
Released in 1982, 'Yeh Vaada Raha' featured Rishi Kapoor, Poonam Dhillon, and Tina Munim in central roles. Its soundtrack, composed by the legendary R.D. Burman, continues to resonate with audiences more than four decades later — a testament to both the music's craftsmanship and the chemistry of its lead pair. Dhillon's on-air correction of the clap step is a reminder of how easily the fine details of iconic performances can be diluted through decades of informal reproduction.
Point of View
On camera, that a piece of choreographic history be remembered correctly. The broader point is easy to miss: iconic film sequences are routinely distorted through decades of casual imitation, and the original performers are often the only custodians of what actually happened. Rishi Kapoor's legacy, meanwhile, continues to be defined less by box-office numbers and more by the emotional memory he left with co-stars and audiences alike — a rare kind of staying power that industry tributes rarely capture as precisely as Dhillon did here.
NationPress
27 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Poonam Dhillon say about the clap step from 'Yeh Vaada Raha'?
Poonam Dhillon revealed that the clap sequence most people perform today is incorrect, and demonstrated the original on the set of 'Tum Ho Naa – Ghar Ki Superstar'. She explained that the authentic version, performed by her and Rishi Kapoor in the 1982 film, involved four claps in a specific rhythm — not five, and not in reverse order.
Why did Poonam Dhillon call Rishi Kapoor the 'king of romance'?
Dhillon used the phrase while reflecting on Rishi Kapoor's exceptional on-screen expressiveness during songs. She said his expressions and style were unmatched once the camera rolled, a sentiment host Rajeev Khandelwal echoed by saying he has never seen another actor emote in songs the way Kapoor did.
What is 'Yeh Vaada Raha' and who starred in it?
'Yeh Vaada Raha' is a 1982 Hindi film starring Rishi Kapoor, Poonam Dhillon, and Tina Munim. Its soundtrack was composed by R.D. Burman and remains popular with audiences more than four decades after its release.
Where did Poonam Dhillon share these memories?
Dhillon shared these recollections during the filming of an upcoming episode of 'Tum Ho Naa – Ghar Ki Superstar', a television show hosted by Rajeev Khandelwal. The episode had not aired at the time of this report.
Who was Rishi Kapoor, referred to as Chintu ji?
Rishi Kapoor was one of Hindi cinema's most celebrated romantic heroes, known for his expressive screen presence and musical performances. He passed away in April 2020 and is remembered fondly in the industry by his nickname Chintu ji.
