MUMBAI: Bollywood veteran actor Rishi Kapoor passed away in Mumbai on Thursday, following a long battle with cancer. He was 67.
His brother, Randhir Kapoor, confirmed the news of Rishi’s demise, while Amitabh Bachchan also took to Twitter to share the news saying he was devasted by his passing.
The Kapoor family in a statement said, “Our dear Rishi Kapoor passed away peacefully at 8:45 am IST in hospital today after a two-year battle with leukemia. The doctors and medical staff at the hospital said he kept them entertained to the last. He remained jovial and determined to live to the fullest right through two years of treatment across two continents. Family, friends, food and films remained his focus and everyone who met him during this time was amazed at how he did not let his illness get the better of him. He was grateful for the love of his fans that poured in from the world over.”
“In his passing, they would all understand that he would like to be remembered with a smile and not with tears. In this hour of personal loss, we also recognise the world is going through a very difficult and troubled time. There are numerous restrictions around movement and gathering in public. We would like to request all his fans and well-wishers and friends of the family to please respect the laws that are in force. He would not have it any other way.”
The actor was on ICU support for a week in a Mumbai hospital before breathing his last. Rishi Kapoor is survived by his wife Neetu Kapoor and children Ranbir Kapoor and Riddhima Kapoor. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2018 and had then traveled to New York for treatment.
Rishi Kapoor was the son of legendary actor Raj Kapoor and Krishna Kapoor. He made his first appearance in movies at the tender age of three. His debut role was in Raj Kapoor directorial Mera Naam Joker. He then became a heartthrob with the release of his film Bobby.
Rishi Kapoor was a popular actor through the 1970s to the 1990s when he worked in movies like Amar Akbar Anthony, Coolie, Karz and Chandni among more. In his later years, he was known for his character roles in movies like Hum Tum, Agneepath and Kapoor & Sons among more. He was last seen in The Body alongside Emraan Hashmi.
T 3516 – .. nothing could have been a better tribute than this by artist Aniket Misra ..
Perhaps that is Rituparno Ghosh .. and Irfaan of course .. both of immeasurable talent .. left this World far too early .. ???? ..
the film firmament of the nation shaken and in utter dismay pic.twitter.com/NQDfIbG9Io— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) April 29, 2020
Today I have lost a dear friend Rishi kapoor. We had first met in Banglore in 1973 .He had come for a charity show of Bobby n I was there for Sholay’s shooting We met in the evening n kept talking till the wee hours to begin a friendship for 47 yrs. Good bye dear friend !!
— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) April 30, 2020
Multifaceted, endearing and lively…this was Rishi Kapoor Ji. He was a powerhouse of talent. I will always recall our interactions, even on social media. He was passionate about films and India’s progress. Anguished by his demise. Condolences to his family and fans. Om Shanti.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 30, 2020
