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{{Short description|1973 film directed by Raj Kapoor}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2015}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Bobby
| image = Bobby film poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Raj Kapoor]]
| producer = Raj Kapoor
| writer = [[Jainendra Jain (screenwriter)|Jainendra Jain]] (dialogue)
| screenplay = [[Khwaja Ahmad Abbas]]<br />V. P. Sathe
| story = Khwaja Ahmad Abbas
| starring = [[Rishi Kapoor]]<br />[[Dimple Kapadia]]<br />[[Prem Nath]]<br />[[Pran (actor)|Pran]]
| music = [[Laxmikant–Pyarelal]]
| cinematography = [[Radhu Karmakar]]
| editing = Raj Kapoor
| studio = [[R.K. Films]]
| distributor = R.K. Films
| released = {{Film date|1973|09|28|df=yes}}
| runtime = 169 minutes
| country = India
| language = Hindi
| budget = 
| gross = {{Estimation}} ₹31 crore<ref name="hindustantimes" />
}}

'''''Bobby''''' is a 1973 Indian Hindi-language [[musical romance film]], produced and directed by [[Raj Kapoor]], and written by [[Khwaja Ahmad Abbas]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Banerjee |first1=Shampa |last2=Srivastava |first2=Anil |title=One Hundred Indian Feature Films: An Annotated Filmography |date=1988 |publisher=Taylor & on Francis |isbn=978-0-8240-9483-6 |page=53 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zX4GY37rG8kC&pg=PA53 |language=en |access-date=2 May 2022 |archive-date=1 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901092035/https://books.google.com/books?id=zX4GY37rG8kC&pg=PA53 |url-status=live }}</ref> The film stars Raj Kapoor's son, [[Rishi Kapoor]], in his first leading role, opposite [[Dimple Kapadia]] in her debut role.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/lifestyle/fashion/story/fashion-friday-crop-tops-to-two-piece-bikini-16-year-old-dimple-kapadia-was-a-style-icon-in-bobby-1685872-2020-06-05|title=Fashion Friday: Crop tops to two-piece bikini, 16-year-old Dimple Kapadia was a style icon in Bobby |date=5 June 2020 }}</ref> The film became a blockbuster securing the position of highest grossing Indian film of 1973,<ref name="boi73">{{cite web |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=179&catName=MTk3Mw==/1973.htm |title=Box Office 1973 |publisher=Boxofficeindia.com |access-date=2011-06-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721044326/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=179&catName=MTk3Mw%3D%3D%2F1973.htm |archive-date=21 July 2011 |df=dmy }}</ref> the second highest grossing film of the 1970s at the Indian box office,<ref name="boi70s">{{cite web|url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=124&catName=MTk3MC0xOTc5 |title=Top Earners 1970–1979 |publisher=Boxofficeindia.com |access-date=2011-06-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014062240/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=124&catName=MTk3MC0xOTc5 |archive-date=14 October 2013 |df=dmy }}</ref> and one of the top 20 highest-grossing Indian films of all time (when adjusted for inflation).<ref name="gold3" /> It also became an overseas blockbuster in the [[Soviet Union]], where it drew an audience of 62.6 million viewers,<ref name="soviet" /> making it one of the top 20 biggest box office hits of all time in the Soviet Union.<ref name="soviet-foreign" /><ref name="soviet-domestic" />

Thematically and stylistically inspired by the [[Archie Comics|''Archie'' comics]] [[Raj Kapoor]] was fond of,<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Kapoor |first1=Rishi |title=Khullam Khulla: Rishi Kapoor Uncensored |last2=Iyer |first2=Meena |publisher=[[HarperCollins]] |year=2017 |pages=18 |quote=A voracious reader of Archie comics all his life, he came up with the idea of a teenage love story about a very young boy, just out of school and ready for college.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=31 October 2024 |title='Raj Kapoor tailored my look for Bobby,' Dimple Kapadia recalls how she went through the 'painful' process of getting into the look |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/raj-kapoor-tailored-my-look-for-bobby-dimple-kapadia-painful-process-9647024/lite/ |website=[[The Indian Express]] |quote=The iconic looks of Bobby were inspired by characters from Archie comics.}}</ref> the film became a trend-setter. It was wildly popular and widely imitated. It introduced to Bollywood the genre of teenage romance with a rich-versus-poor clash as a backdrop. Numerous films in the following years and decades were inspired by this plot. ''Indiatimes Movies'' ranks ''Bobby'' amongst the 'Top 30 Must See Bollywood Films'.<ref>{{Cite news |author=Kanwar, Rachna |title=25 Must See Bollywood Movies |date=3 October 2005 |url=http://movies.indiatimes.com/Special_Features/25_Must_See_Bollywood_Movies/articleshow/msid-1250837,curpg-11.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015033800/http://movies.indiatimes.com/Special_Features/25_Must_See_Bollywood_Movies/articleshow/msid-1250837%2Ccurpg-11.cms |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 October 2007 |publisher=Indiatimes movies |access-date=2010-11-08 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The film was remade in [[Persian language|Persian]] as ''Parvaz dar Ghafas'' in 1980. ''Bobby'' was Dimple Kapadia's first and only film of the 70s era. As she left the film industry following her early marriage, before returning back to proper movies in the mid-80s till the present date.

== Plot ==
The story is about the love between two [[Mumbai|Bombay]] teenagers of different classes and religions—Raja 'Raj' Nath ([[Rishi Kapoor]]), the son of a rich [[Hindu]] businessman Ram Nath ([[Pran (actor)|Pran]]), and Bobby Braganza ([[Dimple Kapadia]]), the daughter of a poor [[Goans|Goan]] [[Christian]] fisherman Jack Braganza ([[Prem Nath]]).

Raj returns from his boarding school and upon his return, his parents throw a party to celebrate his birthday. Raj's former governess Mrs. Braganza ([[Durga Khote]]) comes by with her granddaughter Bobby to give him a present, but Raj's mother Sushma Nath ([[Sonia Sahni]]) ignores Mrs. Braganza, which leads her to leave the party with Bobby in a rush.

Raj opens his gifts the next day and finds Mrs. Braganza's gift, so he decides to meet her in person. Reaching there, Bobby opens the door for him, and it is [[love at first sight]] for him. During that visit, he mixes his book with Bobby's, so he goes to meet her at the library to exchange the books, and from there starts their friendship. Raj and Bobby decide to go to see a movie, but find out it is a full house. Then Raj gets an idea to go to a party. At the party, Bobby sees Raj talking to Sushma's dance partner Nima ([[Aruna Irani]]) privately and thinks he is in love with her, so she breaks off her relationship before running off to Kashmir. However, Raj comes by to Kashmir and clears up the misunderstanding, prompting Bobby to resume her relationship with him. Despite Jack and Mrs. Braganza being very supportive of Raj and Bobby's relationship due to Raj's friendly nature, Raj learns that the matter is not taken kindly by Ram, who abhors the idea of his son falling in love with the daughter of a poor fisherman. Upon Raj's insistence, Ram invites Jack over to initiate talks of Raj and Bobby's relationship. But instead, a feud ignites when Ram insults Jack and accuses him of using Bobby's beauty and charm to trap Raj for his money; he even offered Jack a bribe of cash to stop Bobby from seeing Raj. Jack gets offended by this accusation and retaliates by insulting Ram before leaving in a huff with Bobby, forbidding her to hang out with Raj again. To ensure Bobby's distance from Raj, Jack sends her and Mrs. Braganza to live in [[Goa]].

Raj gets angry at Ram for driving Bobby away; this was further intensified when he learns that Ram intends to have him marry a mentally-challenged wealthy girl named Alka 'Nikki' Sharma ([[Farida Jalal]]) to establish business ties with her rich father Mr. Sharma ([[Pinchoo Kapoor]]) without even consulting Raj; Sushma and Nima are not supportive of the idea as well. On the advice from Nima (who sympathizes with Raj on the issue), Raj cuts off all ties to his father and drives off to Goa to reunite with Bobby, who runs away with him. As Sushma blames Ram for driving Raj away, the latter advertises a reward of Rs. 25,000 for anyone who can help find Raj. Upon spotting Raj and Bobby while seeing the reward on a local newspaper, a local greedy goon named Prem Chopra ([[Prem Chopra]]) decides that he wants the money so he and his goons kidnap Raj and Bobby. When the teens try to escape, Prem starts beating up Raj while having his goons to restrain Bobby. Eventually, Jack comes to the rescue by attacking Prem, who orders his goons to beat up Jack in retaliation. However, this was witnessed by an arriving Ram and the police, who furiously beat up and arrest Prem and his goons while Raj and Bobby escape. Deciding that they don't want their fathers to interfere in their relationship anymore, Raj and Bobby attempted to commit suicide by jumping over a waterfall after chewing out Ram for antagonizing Jack and starting the feud in the first place. However, a horrified Ram and Jack dive in and rescue both teens from being drowned.

Having realized the folly of the feud that almost drove both teens to death, a remorseful Ram and Jack agreed to end the feud by giving their blessings to Raj and Bobby's relationship, promising never to interfere with it again. With their relationships reconciled, the teens and their fathers happily head back home to their families.

== Cast ==
{{Cast listing|
* [[Rishi Kapoor]] as Raj 'Raja' Nath
* [[Dimple Kapadia]] as Bobby Braganza
* [[Prem Nath]] as Jack Braganza
* [[Pran (actor)|Pran]] as Ram Nath
* [[Prem Chopra]] as Prem Chopra
* [[Sonia Sahni]] as Sushma Nath
* [[Durga Khote]] as Mrs. Braganza
* [[Aruna Irani]] as Nima
* [[Farida Jalal]] as Alka 'Nikki' Sharma
* [[Pinchoo Kapoor]] as Mr. Sharma
* [[Jagdish Raj]] as Police Inspector
* Raj Rani as Mrs. Sharma
* Shashi Kiran as Shyam, Raj's college-mate
* Piloo J. Wadia as Mrs. Pestonji
}}

== Production ==
[[Raj Kapoor]] launched his second son Rishi Kapoor in this film and wanted a new heroine as his romantic lead in this young love story. [[Dimple Kapadia]] and [[Neetu Singh]] were auditioned for the role of Bobby Braganza, and Dimple was selected.

In an interview in 2012, Rishi Kapoor stated, "There was a misconception that the film was made to launch me as an actor. The film was made to pay the debts of ''[[Mera Naam Joker]]''. Dad wanted to make a love story but he did not have money to cast a superstar like [[Rajesh Khanna]] in the film".<ref name="dnaindia.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report_proud-of-ranbir-s-choice-of-roles-rishi-kapoor_1741229|title=Proud of Ranbir's choice of roles: Rishi Kapoor – Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis|work=DNA India |date=15 September 2012|access-date=14 June 2017|archive-date=26 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026122909/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report_proud-of-ranbir-s-choice-of-roles-rishi-kapoor_1741229|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Filming ===
Some scenes were shot in [[Gulmarg]]. One scene was shot in a hut in Gulmarg, which became famous as the 'Bobby Hut'.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/shah-rukh-khan-ek-kamre-mein-band-in-kashmir-262823 |title=Shah Rukh Khan ek kamre mein band in Kashmir |access-date=28 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140404062106/http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/shah-rukh-khan-ek-kamre-mein-band-in-kashmir-262823 |archive-date=4 April 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> A few scenes towards the end of the movie were shot on Pune-Solapur highway near [[Loni Kalbhor]] where Raj Kapoor owned a farm.

== Soundtrack ==
The film's music was composed by the [[Laxmikant–Pyarelal|Laxmikant-Pyarelal]] duo. The lyrics were written by [[Anand Bakshi]], [[Rajkavi Inderjeet Singh Tulsi]], and [[Vithalbhai Patel (lyricist)|Vithalbhai Patel]].

Vocals for Kapoor were performed by [[Shailendra Singh (singer)|Shailendra Singh]].

{| class="wikitable"
! Song !! Singer(s)
!Lyrics!! Notes
|-
|Main Shayar To Nahin
|[[Shailendra Singh (singer)|Shailendra Singh]]
|Anand Bakshi
|Picturized on Rishi Kapoor. The song was reused and picturised on him in the 2004 film ''[[Hum Tum (film)|Hum Tum]]''.
|-
|Ankhiyon Ko Rahne De
|[[Lata Mangeshkar]]
|Anand Bakshi
|Based on the song "Ankhiyan nu rehen de" by [[Reshma (Pakistani singer)|Reshma]]{{citation needed|reason=Your explanation here|date=February 2015}}
|-
|Beshak Mandir Masjid
|[[Narendra Chanchal]]
|[[Rajkavi Inderjeet Singh Tulsi]]
|
|-
|{{anchor | HumTumEkKamreMein}}[[Hum Tum Ek Kamre Mein Band Ho]]
|[[Lata Mangeshkar]] & [[Shailendra Singh (singer)|Shailendra Singh]]
|[[Shailendra Singh (singer)|Anand Bakshi]]
| Shot at Kapoor family's bungalow in Rajbaugh, now a [[Raj Kapoor#Memorial|memorial to Raj Kapoor]] inside the [[MIT World Peace University#Memorial|MIT World Peace University]] (MIT WPU) on the banks of [[Mula-Mutha River]] in [[Loni Kalbhor]] village 30 km east of [[Pune]] in Maharashtra.<ref name="cameo11">{{Google maps | url= https://www.google.com/maps/place/Raj+Kapoor+Memorial/@18.4928318,74.0237278,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x9b44212117e483ef?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwit2t70xL7qAhU4IbcAHYhdD_8Q_BIwDHoECBAQCA | title= Google map location of Smadhi of Raj Kapoor and Prithviraj Kapoor at Rajbaugh at the camputof MIT-WPU | access-date= 8 July 2020}}</ref><ref name="cameo12">[https://www.hindustantimes.com/pune-news/with-rk-studios-up-for-sale-in-mumbai-here-is-how-pune-still-hangs-on-to-raj-kapoor-s-memories/story-gBe0GlN81RyUGmIgQ59AlJ.html With RK Studios up for sale in Mumbai, here is how Pune still hangs on to Raj Kapoor’s memories] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200712094701/https://www.hindustantimes.com/pune-news/with-rk-studios-up-for-sale-in-mumbai-here-is-how-pune-still-hangs-on-to-raj-kapoor-s-memories/story-gBe0GlN81RyUGmIgQ59AlJ.html |date=12 July 2020 }}, Hindustan Times, Sep 02, 2018.</ref><ref name="cameo13">[http://www.mitsft.in/Raj_Kapoor_Memorial Raj Kapoor Memorial] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705112012/http://www.mitsft.in/Raj_Kapoor_Memorial |date=5 July 2020 }}, mitsft.in.</ref><ref name="cameo10">Madhu Jain, 2009, [https://books.google.com/books?id=l3heZ8I-k9AC&q=%22prithviraj+kapoor%22+and+%22surinder+kapoor%22 Kapoors: The First Family of Indian Cinema] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315064058/https://books.google.com/books?id=l3heZ8I-k9AC&q=%22prithviraj+kapoor%22+and+%22surinder+kapoor%22 |date=15 March 2023 }}, [[Penguin Books]].</ref><ref name="cameo14">[http://www.mitsft.in/Raj_Kapoor_Memorial Raj Kapoor Memorial brief] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705112012/http://www.mitsft.in/Raj_Kapoor_Memorial |date=5 July 2020 }}, mitsft.in.</ref>
|-
|Jhoot Bole Kauva Kate
|[[Lata Mangeshkar]] & [[Shailendra Singh (singer)|Shailendra Singh]]
|Vithalbhai Patel
|Picturized on Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia in a village dance setting
|-
|Mujhe Kuchh Kahna Hai
|[[Lata Mangeshkar]] &[[Shailendra Singh (singer)|Shailendra Singh]]
|Anand Bakshi
|
|-
|Ae Ae Ae Phansa
|[[Lata Mangeshkar]]
|Anand Bakshi
|Picturized on [[Aruna Irani]]
|-
|Na Mangun Sona Chandi
|[[Manna Dey]], [[Shailendra Singh (singer)|Shailendra Singh]] & Chorus
|Vithalbhai Patel
|
|}

== Box office ==
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; width:45%; text-align:center;"
|+ Worldwide gross ({{estimation}})
|-
! Territory
! Gross revenue
! [[Inflation-adjusted]] gross revenue (2016)
! Footfalls
|-
| [[List of highest-grossing films in India|Domestic (India)]]
| {{INR|11 [[crore]]|link=yes}}<ref name="boi73" /> ({{US$|14.21 million|link=yes}}){{#tag:ref|7.742 [[Indian rupee]]s per [[US dollar]] in 1973<ref>[http://fx.sauder.ubc.ca/etc/USDpages.pdf#page=3 PACIFIC Exchange Rate Service] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150512095429/http://fx.sauder.ubc.ca/etc/USDpages.pdf#page=3 |date=12 May 2015 }} sauder.ubc.ca</ref>|group=n}}
| [[Bollywood 100 Crore Club|{{INRConvert|{{Inflation|IN|398|2011}}|c}}]]{{#tag:ref|{{INR}}398 crore in 2011<ref name="gold70s" /><ref name="gold3" />}}
| {{#expr:110/(1.84*0.71+2.59*0.29) round 1}}{{nbsp}}million<ref name="mittal">{{cite book |last1=Mittal |first1=Ashok |title=Cinema Industry in India: Pricing and Taxation |date=1995 |publisher=Indus Publishing |isbn=9788173870231 |pages=71 & 77 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RJVodLc6NgoC&pg=PA77 |access-date=24 June 2019 |archive-date=18 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230118133358/https://books.google.com/books?id=RJVodLc6NgoC&pg=PA77 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[List of highest-grossing Indian films in overseas markets|Overseas]] ([[List of Soviet films of the year by ticket sales|Soviet Union]])
| 15.65{{nbsp}}million [[Soviet rouble|Rbls]]{{#tag:ref|62.6 million tickets sold,<ref name="soviet" /> average ticket price of 25 [[kopeck]]s<ref>[https://is.muni.cz/el/1421/podzim2015/FAV291/um/Roth-Ey-Moscow_Prime_Time.pdf#page=7 ''Moscow Prime Time: How the Soviet Union Built the Media Empire that Lost the Cultural Cold War'', page 48] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510014311/https://is.muni.cz/el/1421/podzim2015/FAV291/um/Roth-Ey-Moscow_Prime_Time.pdf#page=7 |date=10 May 2018 }}, [[Cornell University Press]], 2011</ref>|group=n}} {{ndash}} US$21.44{{nbsp}}million{{#tag:ref|0.73 [[Soviet rouble|Rbl]] per US dollar in 1975<ref>Archive of Bank of Russia http://cbr.ru/currency_base/OldDataFiles/USD.xls {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170717030948/http://cbr.ru/currency_base/OldDataFiles/USD.xls |date=17 July 2017 }}</ref>|group=n|name=RubleUSD}} ({{INR}}19.24{{nbsp}}crore){{#tag:ref|8.973 Indian rupees per US dollar in 1975<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rbi.org.in/scripts/PublicationsView.aspx?id=15268|title=Reserve Bank of India – Publications|access-date=18 June 2017|archive-date=2 September 2014|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140902173109/http://www.rbi.org.in/scripts/PublicationsView.aspx?id=15268|url-status=live}}</ref>|group=n}}
| US${{Inflation|US|21.44|1975}}{{nbsp}}million ({{INR}}638{{nbsp}}crore)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ofx.com/en-gb/forex-news/historical-exchange-rates/yearly-average-rates/ |title=67.175856 INR per USD in 2016 |access-date=18 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170713183556/https://www.ofx.com/en-gb/forex-news/historical-exchange-rates/yearly-average-rates/ |archive-date=13 July 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| 62.6{{nbsp}}million<ref name="soviet" />
|-
! [[List of highest-grossing Indian films|Worldwide]]
! {{INR|{{#expr:11+19.24}} crore}} ({{US$|{{#expr:300/7.74 round 0}} million}})<ref name="hindustantimes">{{cite news |title=On Independence Day, here are the most successful Indian movies of every decade since 1947 |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/on-independence-day-here-are-the-most-successful-indian-movies-of-every-decade-since-1947/story-EIf9tdhbWfO38hftOSwQIM.html |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=15 August 2018 |access-date=14 December 2018 |archive-date=8 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508110633/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/on-independence-day-here-are-the-most-successful-indian-movies-of-every-decade-since-1947/story-EIf9tdhbWfO38hftOSwQIM.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Official exchange rate (LCU per US$, period average) |url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/PA.NUS.FCRF?end=1973&locations=IN&start=1972 |website=[[World Bank]] |year=1973 |access-date=13 December 2018 |archive-date=15 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215022359/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/PA.NUS.FCRF?end=1973&locations=IN&start=1972 |url-status=live }}</ref>
! [[Bollywood 1000 Crore Club|{{INR|{{#expr:574+638}} crore}}]] ({{US$|{{#expr:89+95}} million}})
! {{#expr:53.5+62.6 round 0}}{{nbsp}}million
|}

In India, ''Bobby'' was the highest-grossing film of 1973, earning [[Indian rupee|{{INR}}]]11 [[crore]].<ref name="boi73" /> It was also the second-highest-grossing film at the Indian box office in the 1970s, second only to ''[[Sholay]]'' (1975).<ref name="boi70s" /> Adjusted for inflation, it grossed {{INR}}398 crore in 2011 value,<ref name="gold70s">[http://boxofficeindia.co.in/worth-their-weight-in-gold-70s/ Worth Their Weight In Gold! (70's)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022033244/http://boxofficeindia.co.in/worth-their-weight-in-gold-70s/# |date=22 October 2017 }}, ''[[Box Office India]]'', 3 November 2011</ref> equivalent to {{INRConvert|{{Inflation|IN|398|2011}}|c}} in 2016 value. As of 2011, it is one of the top 20 highest-grossing films of all time in India.<ref name="gold3">[http://boxofficeindia.co.in/top-50-film-of-last-50-years/ Top 50 Film of Last 50 Years] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111104181418/http://boxofficeindia.co.in/top-50-film-of-last-50-years/# |date=4 November 2011 }}, ''[[Box Office India]]'', 3 November 2011</ref>

Overseas, ''Bobby'' was very successful in the [[Soviet Union]] when it released there in 1975, due to Raj Kapoor's popularity in the country. ''Bobby'' drew 62.6{{nbsp}}million admissions at the Soviet box office, making it the second-best-selling film on the [[List of Soviet films of the year by ticket sales|Soviet box office charts]] in 1975,<ref name="soviet">[https://books.google.com/books?id=cpoLAQAAMAAJ ''Indian Films in Soviet Cinemas: The Culture of Movie-going After Stalin''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230806001013/https://books.google.com/books?id=cpoLAQAAMAAJ |date=6 August 2023 }}, page 89, [[Indiana University Press]], 2005</ref> the most popular [[Indian film]] of the 1970s, the second-biggest foreign film of the decade,<ref name="soviet-foreign">{{cite web|url=http://kinanet.livejournal.com/13882.html|title=Зарубежные фильмы в советском кинопрокате|author=Sergey Kudryavtsev|author-link=Sergey Kudryavtsev (film critic)|access-date=11 June 2017|archive-date=21 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621072441/https://kinanet.livejournal.com/13882.html|url-status=live}}</ref> the sixth-biggest box office hit of the decade,<ref name="soviet-foreign" /><ref name="soviet-domestic">{{cite web|url=http://kinanet.livejournal.com/14172.html|title=Отечественные фильмы в советском кинопрокате|author=Sergey Kudryavtsev|author-link=Sergey Kudryavtsev (film critic)|access-date=11 June 2017|archive-date=22 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322203049/https://kinanet.livejournal.com/14172.html|url-status=live}}</ref> the second-most-viewed Indian film of all time (after Raj Kapoor's ''[[Awaara]]''), the sixth-biggest foreign hit of all time,<ref name="soviet-foreign" /> and one of the top 20 biggest box office hits of all time.<ref name="soviet-foreign" /><ref name="soviet-domestic" /> The film's success launched Rishi Kapoor into an overnight movie star in the Soviet Union,<ref>[https://is.muni.cz/el/1421/podzim2015/FAV291/um/Roth-Ey-Moscow_Prime_Time.pdf#page=4 ''Moscow Prime Time: How the Soviet Union Built the Media Empire that Lost the Cultural Cold War'', page 43] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510014311/https://is.muni.cz/el/1421/podzim2015/FAV291/um/Roth-Ey-Moscow_Prime_Time.pdf#page=4 |date=10 May 2018 }}, [[Cornell University Press]], 2011</ref> much like ''Awaara'' had done for his father Raj Kapoor.

Similarly, the film was very successful in [[Southeast Asian]] countries such as [[Indonesia]], [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. It was popular among non-Indian audiences in these countries, despite a lack of local language [[Dubbing (filmmaking)|dubbing]] or [[subtitles]] upon its initial Malaysian release. It was among the most popular foreign films in Malaysia at the time, along with [[Bruce Lee]] films such as ''[[The Big Boss]]'' (1972).<ref>{{cite book |last1=Heide |first1=William Van der |title=Malaysian Cinema, Asian Film: Border Crossings and National Cultures |date=2002 |publisher=[[Amsterdam University Press]] |isbn=978-90-5356-580-3 |page=147 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k3HTdu1HuWQC&pg=PA147 |access-date=15 June 2020 |archive-date=1 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901092031/https://books.google.com/books?id=k3HTdu1HuWQC&pg=PA147 |url-status=live }}</ref> In China, the film was released in 1990.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K4FDAAAAYAAJ |title=Data India |date=1990 |publisher=[[Press Institute of India]] |page=111 |chapter=Films popular in China |quote=A spokesman of China Film Export and Import Corporation said in Bombay that films such as Sholay, Bobby, Qayamat-se-Qayamai Tak, Hero Hiralal, Shahenshah, Jalwa, Nacha Mayuri, Naseeb, Dance Dance, Disco Dancer and Naam, are being exhibited all over China. |access-date=15 May 2022 |archive-date=2 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702182552/https://books.google.com/books?id=K4FDAAAAYAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Critical reception ==
''[[The Illustrated Weekly of India]]'' wrote upon release that despite a new style, the story formula remains the same as ever. The review further noted that despite some gimmicks, the film's commercial appeal is attributed to the two fresh-faced, delightful youngsters and praised the performances of the lead pair for acting with a natural ease and freshness. While Premnath was applauded for being outstanding as the expansive, volatile Braganza", Pran was accused of being typecast.<ref>{{cite news |title=Film Review – Bobby |work=The Illustrated Weekly of India |publisher=The Times Group |date=1973 |page=41}}</ref>

== Awards ==
'''[[21st Filmfare Awards]]<nowiki>:</nowiki><ref>{{cite web|title=1st Filmfare Awards 1953|url=http://deep750.googlepages.com/FilmfareAwards.pdf|access-date=2011-06-01|publisher=Deep750.googlepages.com|archive-date=12 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090612065210/http://deep750.googlepages.com/FilmfareAwards.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>'''
;Won
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] – [[Rishi Kapoor]]
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] – [[Dimple Kapadia]] (tied with [[Jaya Bhaduri]] for ''[[Abhimaan (1973 film)|Abhimaan]]'')
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer|Best Male Playback Singer]] – [[Narendra Chanchal]] for "Beshak Mandir Masjid"
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Art Direction|Best Art Direction]] – A. Rangaraj
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Sound Design|Best Sound Design]] – Allauddin Khan Qureshi

;Nominated
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Film|Best Film]] – [[Raj Kapoor]]
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Director|Best Director]] – [[Raj Kapoor]]
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor|Best Supporting Actor]] – [[Prem Nath]]
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]] – [[Aruna Irani]]
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Music Director|Best Music Director]] – [[Laxmikant Pyarelal]]
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist|Best Lyricist]] – [[Anand Bakshi]] for "[[Hum Tum Ek Kamre Mein Band Ho]]"
* Best Lyricist – [[Anand Bakshi]] for "Main Shayar To Nahin"
* Best Lyricist – [[Vitthalbhai Patel]] for "Jhoot Bole Kava Kate"
* Best Male Playback Singer – [[Shailender Singh]] for "Main Shayar To Nahin"

'''1974 [[Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards|BFJA]] Awards:'''
* Best Male Playback Singer (Hindi Section) – Shailender Singh for "Main Shayar to Nahin"
* Best Audiographer (Hindi Section) – Alauddin Khan Qureshi<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bfjaawards.com/legacy/pastwin/197437.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080422070342/http://www.bfjaawards.com/legacy/pastwin/197437.htm|url-status=dead|title=69th & 70th Annual Hero Honda BFJA Awards 2007|archive-date=22 April 2008}}</ref>

== Controversy ==
In his 2017 autobiography ''Khullam Khulla: Rishi Kapoor Uncensored'', Rishi Kapoor revealed that he had paid {{INRConvert|30000|year=1974}} to win him a Best Actor award. While it was inferred as the [[Filmfare Award]] since it was the only big-time award during the time, he clarified in an interview that he has not specified Filmfare or any other names in the book".<ref>{{cite news |title=Uncensored: Rishi Kapoor reveals *exactly* why he bought an award for Bobby |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/rishi-kapoor-reveals-bought-award-bobby-khullam-khulla-955884-2017-01-19 |work=[[India Today]] |date=19 January 2017 |access-date=15 December 2018 |archive-date=15 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215222255/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/rishi-kapoor-reveals-bought-award-bobby-khullam-khulla-955884-2017-01-19 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== See also ==
*[[100 Crore Club]]

== Notes ==
{{Reflist|group=n}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|title=Bobby}}
* {{Rotten-tomatoes|1128675_bobby|title=Bobby}}

{{Raj Kapoor}}
{{K. A. Abbas}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1973 films]]
[[Category:1973 Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:1973 Indian films]]
[[Category:1970s Urdu-language films]]
[[Category:1970s romantic comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:Indian romantic comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Raj Kapoor]]
[[Category:Indian romantic musical films]]
[[Category:1970s romantic musical films]]
[[Category:Films scored by Laxmikant–Pyarelal]]
[[Category:R. K. Films films]]
[[Category:Indian interfaith romance films]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Khwaja Ahmad Abbas]]
[[Category:Hindi films remade in other languages]]
[[Category:1970s teen romance films]]
[[Category:Urdu-language Indian films]]
[[Category:Films set in Mumbai]]
[[Category:Films set in Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:Films shot in Mumbai]]
[[Category:Films shot in Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:Indian teen romance films]]
[[Category:1973 comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:Hindi-language romance films]]
[[Category:1973 musical films]]

Bobby 1973 film - Revision history

IolaBrookshire at 23:39, 3 March 2026