Rishi Kapoor's Paris shoot for Barood left locals baffled
Synopsis
Rishi Kapoor once confessed to accidentally baffling Parisians on the set of the 1976 film Barood — walking through the city's streets singing loudly while a sound recordist trailed 25 steps behind him. The story, shared on The Kapil Sharma Show, is a warm reminder of the charm and candour that made him one of Bollywood's most beloved personalities.
Key Takeaways
Rishi Kapoor shared a comic anecdote about filming a song for 'Barood' on the streets of Paris in 1976 .
A sound recordist walked 25 steps behind him during the shoot, causing Parisians to stare in bewilderment. 'Barood' was directed by Pramod Chakravorty and starred Ashok Kumar , Shoma Anand , Reena Roy , and Ajit , with guest appearances by Dharmendra and Hema Malini .
Kapoor passed away on 30 April 2020 after a battle with leukemia.
His final film 'Sharmaji Namkeen' was completed by actor Paresh Rawal after Kapoor's death.
Late Bollywood legend Rishi Kapoor once recounted a laugh-out-loud incident from the Paris shoot of his 1976 film 'Barood' — one that left the city's residents thoroughly confused. The story, shared during an appearance on 'The Kapil Sharma Show', offers a rare, candid glimpse into the quirks of filming Hindi cinema abroad in a pre-playback-sync era.
The Paris Incident
Kapoor explained that he had a well-known habit of singing romantic songs at full volume on set — despite, by his own admission, being completely tuneless. On the 'Barood' shoot, this habit played out in spectacular fashion on the streets of Paris.
In his own words from the show: 'I remember one day I was shooting a song for 'Barood' in Paris. I was following Shoma Anand in the sequence, and there was a sound recordist 25 steps behind me. I was feeling so embarrassed. As the sound and camera started, I used to do the action, and all the Parisians used to look at me, thinking, "What is wrong with this man? The song is playing from behind, and he is singing."'
The image of a young Kapoor striding through Parisian streets, mouthing a song with the playback blaring from a recordist trailing 25 steps behind him, visibly bewildering onlookers, became one of his most-retold behind-the-scenes anecdotes.
About Barood (1976)
'Barood' was directed by Pramod Chakravorty, with screenplay by Sachin Bhowmick and dialogues by Ahsan Rizvi. The film featured a notable ensemble cast including Ashok Kumar, Shoma Anand, Ajit, and Reena Roy in principal roles, with Dharmendra and Hema Malini appearing in guest roles.
Rishi Kapoor's Legacy
Over a career spanning several decades, Kapoor appeared in a wide range of films — from 'Kabhi Kabhie' and 'Amar Akbar Anthony' to 'Khel Khel Mein', 'Rafoo Chakkar', 'Besharam', and 'Do Dooni Chaar', among many others. He remained one of Hindi cinema's most recognisable faces across generations.
His Final Chapter
Rishi Kapoor passed away on 30 April 2020 at the age of 67 after a prolonged battle with leukemia. His final film, 'Sharmaji Namkeen', was left incomplete at the time of his death. Actor Paresh Rawal subsequently stepped in to complete the remaining portions, ensuring the film reached audiences as a tribute to Kapoor's enduring screen presence.
Point of View
No less — was as much a part of his public persona as his on-screen charisma. In an era when Bollywood's overseas shoots were novel and logistically improvised, the image of a young star singing tunefully into thin air on a Parisian boulevard captures something authentic about how Hindi cinema was made. That candour is increasingly rare, and worth preserving.
NationPress
30 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Paris incident Rishi Kapoor described from the Barood shoot?
During the filming of a song for 'Barood' in Paris, Rishi Kapoor was following co-star Shoma Anand on screen while a sound recordist walked 25 steps behind him playing the audio. Parisians on the street were reportedly baffled watching him appear to sing with no visible source of music.
When was Barood released and who directed it?
'Barood' was released in 1976 and directed by Pramod Chakravorty. The screenplay was written by Sachin Bhowmick, with dialogues by Ahsan Rizvi.
Who were the key cast members of Barood?
The film starred Ashok Kumar, Shoma Anand, Ajit, and Reena Roy in principal roles. Dharmendra and Hema Malini made guest appearances.
When did Rishi Kapoor pass away and what was his final film?
Rishi Kapoor passed away on 30 April 2020 after a long battle with leukemia. His final film, 'Sharmaji Namkeen', was left incomplete and later finished by actor Paresh Rawal.
Where did Rishi Kapoor share this anecdote about Barood?
He shared the story during an appearance on 'The Kapil Sharma Show', where he recalled the habit of singing romantic songs at full volume on set despite being, by his own description, completely tuneless.
