Rishi Kapoor is the second son of famous film director and star Raj Kapoor. His brothers are well-known actors: Randhir Kapoor and Rajiv Kapoor. Rishi married actress Neetu Singh, with whom he had several hit movies, in 1980. They have two children named Ranbir Kapoor and Ridhima Kapoor.

Rishi Kapoor had his first lead role, opposite Dimple Kapadia, in the popular 1973 film Bobby which became an instant hit with youngsters. He has since then appeared in hundreds of movies. He played the lead role romancing young heroines till the year 2000 with the delayed release of Karobaar: The Business of Love. He moved on to supporting roles with Hum Tum (2004) and Fanaa (2006). He also directed a film Aa Ab Laut Chalen in 1998 starring Rajesh Khanna, Aishwarya Rai, Akshaye Khanna, Kader Khan, Paresh Rawal and Jaspal Bhatti.