Rishi Kapoor is the second son of legendary film director and star Raj Kapoor. His brothers are well-known actors Randhir Kapoor and Rajiv Kapoor and he is the paternal uncle of today's actresses Karisma Kapoor and Kareena 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 made his debut in his father's 1970 film "Mera Naam Joker" playing his father's role as a child. He had his first lead role, opposite Dimple Kapadia, in the popular 1973 film "Bobby" which became an instant hit with youngsters. He has since appeared in hundreds of movies. He played the lead role romancing young heroines till the year 2000 with the 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 1999. Recently he appeared in "Namaste London" and an English-language film titled "Don't Stop Dreaming" which was directed by his cousin Aditya Raj Kapoor (son of Raj Kapoor's brother Shammi Kapoor).