
Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor passed away in Mumbai on Thursday. He was 67. The actor was on ICU support for a week in Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, before breathing his last on April 30.
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.”
Rishi Kapoor’s brother Randhir Kapoor confirmed the news of the actor’s demise to indianexpress.com and said, “He passed away just now.” Amitabh Bachchan took to Twitter to share the news. He tweeted, “T 3517 – He’s GONE .. ! Rishi Kapoor .. gone .. just passed away .. I am destroyed!”
Also Read | Actor Rishi Kapoor passes away
Rishi Kapoor was diagnosed with cancer in 2018, following which he went to New York for his treatment. His wife Neetu Kapoor accompanied him, and the two returned to Mumbai in September 2019.
Rishi Kapoor was last seen in The Body alongside Emraan Hashmi.
Celebrities took to various social media platforms to express their condolences.
Rishi Kapoor is survived by his wife Neetu Kapoor, and children Ranbir Kapoor and Riddhima Kapoor.
Music composer Pritam tweeted, "Om Shanti. Rishiji will always live in our hearts through his cinema and songs. No one made the songs as lively as he did. RIP Rishiji. My deep condolences to Ranbir, Neetuji, Riddhima and the entire Kapoor family."
Vishal Bhardwaj tweeted, 'This week just keeps getting worse. #RishiKapoor ji, can’t believe that you’re gone. Will miss your advice and insight that you always showered me with, and of course your infectious smile. My deepest condolences to Ranbir Neetu ji and all the family members.'
Only 67 and jolly as ever, he had arrived at a seductively productive second act in recent decades which made fans and critics look up to him in an altogether different light. The turning point in the new innings may have been Rauf Lala, the bearded Muslim gang lord from Agneepath (2012) who kills without compunction. The veteran star’s menacing badassery charmed the critics and enraged fans as much as it inspired but his good-boy image endured. Years later, he followed up Rauf Lala with advocate Murad Ali, totally on the opposite end of the ‘Good Muslim-Bad Muslim’ divide. The Mulk (2018) protagonist deals with prejudice and stigma to win the day, along the way proving his patriotism and restoring family honour. The powerfully-written film was pronounced “important” and “urgent”, with Kapoor’s nuanced performance coming in for special praise.
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In his two-year-long battle with cancer, Rishi Kapoor steered away from panic and fear. He took cancer as any other body ailment and believed he would get it rectified. Initially, the actor even refrained from informing his fans about the cancer diagnosis.
Here’s everything Rishi Kapoor said during his fight with cancer: Read here
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Do you remember the film Rishi Kapoor directed? He helmed 1999’s Aa Ab Laut Chalen, starring Rajesh Khanna, Akshaye Khanna, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Suman Ranganathan.
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You’ve talked about how Amitabh Bachchan never acknowledged his co-stars for their role in his success?
I meant to say in a certain humble way that in times of past legends like Ashok Kumar, Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor or Dev Anand, they all made themselves on their own steam. When it was a film with Amitabh, it was like a 100m race where other actors were handicapped by 50m right at the start! I merely said we were all the small rungs of the ladder to success that he climbed. Like Deewar wouldn’t be possible without Shashi Kapoor. Without Dharmendra, Sholay wouldn’t be possible. All actors have been with him in the journey. So if you can credit your directors and writers you can surely credit your colleagues who’ve been equally helpful.
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Anurag Kashyap wrote on his Instagram account, "The dialogue from @zoieakhtar ‘a “Luck By Chance” where he says “Oye Institute..” was improvised on the spot. It just came out of his mouth in the shot and that dialogue has stuck with me for life. He told Zoya then, that that’s exactly what he thought of me. The most blunt, honest, in your face person in the industry. Also the most concerned and loving. He made sure he pulled me up and others too, when he didn’t like it and called me over for a whiskey when he loved GOW. Publicly scolded both me and my namesake only always meaning it well for us. Like a father would. Never to mince his words. You will be missed Chintu ji.. it’s another great loss. All the love to his family. This 2020 is like an endless nightmare. I hope you are in peace Sir."
Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra shared on Twitter, "#Legends don’t die they shine forever. Grandson of the father of Indian cinema Prithvi Raj kapoor, son of a legend Raj Kapoor father of a genius maverick Ranbir, a pure son of the cinema himself @chintskap (the great Rishi kapoor) will live for ever in our hearts."
Nandita Das shared on Twitter, "Rishiji's generosity, humour & warmth are still so fresh in my mind. When I met him at his place, he gave me his book & I was to give mine.But he would always send a sweet note that he was traveling. My loss entirely. Will miss you sorely #RishiKapoor RIP"
Arjun Kapoor shared on Instagram, "He was my friends father, my co actor, a talent who’s work I grew up watching & admiring.... but what separates him from everyone else was one thing... Chintoo uncle had the most amazing way of showing warmth & love. It was different from anyone else. I remember my first day I shot with him for Aurangzeb in Gurgaon. Despite being nervous we managed to go thru day one without any hiccups. I was relieved that I didn’t screw up in front of him & went back to the hotel. I got a call from my father later that night saying Chintoo uncle had called him spoken to him about working with me, he told my dad something that meant the world to me “Boney Tension matt le apna baccha acha actor hai yehi rahega acha kaam karega” to me that was love, acceptance & recognition of the highest order. Love u Chintoo uncle. thank u for the memories from RK house to raj krishna to Ridhima’s sangeet rehearsals to Aurangzeb to having spent a beautiful evening with you & Neetu Aunty in New York. You shall live in my heart & mind forever. Cheers"