Evergreen Heartthrob, Dies At 67. “He Was Jovial To The End,”
MUMBAI : Celebrated Indian actor Rishi Kapoor Bollywood veteran actor Rishi Kapoor has died on Thursday. A day before the demise of Irrfan Khan, there was no end to the grief in Bollywood that the whole country has remained silent after the death of another veteran.
Rishi Kapoor spent almost a year in New York being treated for cancer and returned to Mumbai last September. In New York, Mr Kapoor had many visitors from back home, among them the Ambanis, Shah Rukh and Gauri Khan, Alia Bhatt and Deepika Padukone. “Back home! 11 months, 11 days! Thank you all,” Mr Kapoor tweeted after his homecoming last year.
Kapoor belonged to Bollywood’s most famous film dynasty with several generations of actors. His death came as a severe blow to the Indian movie industry and film lovers, who were already reeling from the passing on Wednesday of Irrfan Khan, one of the country’s most feted actors, aged 53. Khan also died of cancer.
Bollywood emperor Amitabh Bachchan informed about the demise of Rishi Kapoor. On Wednesday, Rishi Kapoor was admitted to NH Reliance Hospital in Mumbai. As India is going through lockdown amid Coronavirus outbreak, lesser celebrities attend the cremation of Rishi Kapoor. Among these celebrities, Alia Bhatt and Abhishek Bachchan have reached Reliance hospital. Talking about the last moments of Rishi Kapoor, his family revealed how he kept one and all entertained.
Rishi Kapoor, beloved star of films such as Bobby and Chandni.A statement from the Kapoor family said that the actor “remained jovial” and “kept doctors entertained till the end.” Rishi Kapoor, who was famously fond of life, “would like to be remembered with a smile and not with tears.”
Rishi Kapoor’s niece Kareena Kapoor and her husband Saif Ali Khan were pictured at the hospital on Thursday. Actress Alia Bhatt’s car was filmed leaving the hospital – it’s not clear if she was in it.
Condolences were posted by President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “He was so full of life that it’s difficult to believe that he is no more,” tweet President Kovind. PM Modi described Mr Kapoor as “multi-faceted, endearing and lively” and said he would remember their social media interactions.
Rishi Kapoor’s untimely demise is shocking. An evergreen personality with an always smiling face, he was so full of life that it’s difficult to believe that he is no more. A huge loss for the entertainment industry. Let us pray for his soul. Condolences to his family and friends.This is the film fraternity’s second loss in as many days – Irrfan Khan was claimed by cancer a day ago.
Rishi Kapoor began his career with roles in his father Raj Kapoor’s films. As a child, he made an appearance in the Shree 420 song Pyar Hua Ikrar Hua. He played a young version of his father in 1970 film Mera Naam Joker, winning the National Award for Best Child Artist for his performance. Three years later, he made his debut as a leading man in Bobby.
Rishi Kapoor swiftly became the top romantic hero of his day with films such as Rafoo Chakkar and Karz. Mr Kapoor worked his entire life, delivering some of his best performances in later films like 2012’s Agneepath and 2018’s Mulk.
Rishi Kapoor is survived by his wife Neetu Kapoor, son Ranbir and daughter Riddhima. Last seen in the 2019 films The Body and Jhootha Kahin Ka, Mr Kapoor was meant to star in a Bollywood adaptation of The Intern with Deepika Padukone.
Mumbai Bureau With Agency Inputs).
