Evergreen Actor Rishi Kapoor Passes Away At 67

Veteran actor  Rishi Kapoor has passed away at a Mumbai hospital at the age of 67. He had been admitted to Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital due to difficulty in breathing yesterday. The Karz actor had been battling with cancer for the past two years. His brother Randhir Kapoor broke the news of his demise to PTI this morning. This is is the second loss to Bollywood in two consecutive days, as the industry is still reeling from losing actor Irrfan Khan yesterday. Read about it here.

The statement released by his family read, " Our dear Rishi Kapoor passed away peacefully at 8:45 am IST in hospital today after a two-year battle with leukaemia. 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."

Our dear Rishi Kapoor passed away peacefully at 8:45 am IST in hospital today after a two-year battle with leukaemia. The doctors and medical staff at the hospital said he kept them entertained to the last.

Kapoor had returned to  Mumbai last year after a spell of treatment at a New York hospital. His condition deteriorated in February and was twice admitted to the hospital in that month.

Son of famed filmmaker Raj Kapoor, Rishi is survived by his wife Neetu Singh, son Ranbir Kapoor and daughter Riddhima Kapoor Sahani. Amitabh Bachchan, a long-time friend, who had worked alongside Rishi Kapoor in a lot of films tweeted, "He's GONE .. ! Rishi Kapoor .. gone .. just passed away .. I am destroyed !" Akshay Kumar called his death a nightmare for Bollywood in a tweet.

He was last seen in the 2019 films The Body and Jhootha Kahin Ka. He was to star in the Bollywood adaptation of film The Intern alongside Deepika Padukone. Having worked in his father's 1970 film Mera Naam Joker as a child artist, Kapoor's first film as a lead actor was 1973 hit  Bobby, after that he went on to do many superhit films such as Chandni, Bol Radha Bol, Khel Khel Me, Amar Akbar Anthony, Coolie, Rafuchakkar, and Mulk among many others.

Also Read: 10 Feel Good Bollywood Films To Beat the Stress And Cheer You Up

Kapoor was renowned as a romantic hero and the sweaters that he wore in many 80s films gained an iconic status. His films were also known for their music. His passing is a great loss to both the industry and his fans who won't be able to bid adieu to their beloved star due to the lockdown. As one social media wrote Hum sab ek kamrey me band hain, aur hamari chabi kho gayi.

Image Credit: Siasat