New Delhi:
Rishi Kapoor, beloved star of films such as Bobby and Chandni, died in a hospital in Mumbai at the age of 67 on Thursday. He fought a long battle with cancer and had spent much of last year in New York being treated. 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," The family have also appealed that lockdown rules be respected by Mr Kapoor's fans and well-wishers. Read the full statement below:
"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 longtime friend and co-star Amitabh Bachchan tweeted on Thursday morning, "He's gone. Rishi Kapoor, gone, just passed away. I am destroyed." Mr Kapoor and Big B starred together in films such as Kabhi Kabhie, Amar Akbar Anthony, Naseeb and Coolie - they reunited for 102 Not Out in 2018, playing father and son.
T 3517 - He's GONE .. ! Rishi Kapoor .. gone .. just passed away ..— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) April 30, 2020
I am destroyed !
This is the film fraternity's second loss in as many days - Irrfan Khan was claimed by cancer a day ago. Rishi Kapoor had been taken to hospital, his brother Randhir Kapoor confirmed to news agency PTI yesterday. "He is in the hospital. He is suffering from cancer and he has some breathing problem, so he has been admitted to the hospital. He is stable now," Randhir Kapoor told PTI.
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.
Rishi Kapoor was taken to hospital twice in February this year - first in New Delhi, where he was attending a family event, and then in Mumbai. After being hospitalised in Delhi, Mr Kapoor tweeted, "Dear family, friends, foes and followers. I have been overwhelmed by all your concern about my health. Thank you. I have been filming in Delhi past 18 days and because of the pollution and my, I caught an infection whereby I had to be hospitalized." He also revealed that doctors had found a patch on his lungs that could have led to pneumonia.
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.
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