Rishi Kapoor, the romantic star of many a Bollywood film who was diagnosed with leukemia in 2018, died in a Mumbai hospital on Thursday, his brother Randhir Kapoor said. He was 67.
Rishi, a third generation actor of the famous Kapoor dynasty, is survived by his wife Neetu Kapoor, actor son Ranbir and daughter Ridhima.
'He is no more. He has passed away,' Randhir told PTI. Rishi was taken to the H. N. Reliance hospital by his family on Wednesday.
In the evening, the veteran actor was cremated at the Chandanwadi crematorium in south Mumbai in the presence of his close family.
His daughter Riddhima Kapoor Sahni could not be there at the funeral as she is travelling from Delhi.
Family members including wife Neetu Singh, son Ranbir, Kapoor's elder brother Randhir, Kareena Kapoor Khan, along with husband Saif Ali Khan and actor Abhishek Bachchan and Ranbir's girlfriend Alia Bhatt and Anil Ambani were among the few present at the funeral.
Rishi Kapoor's death comes a day after after his D-Day co-star Irrfan Khan passed away. Three months ago, the disease claimed Kapoor's sister Ritu Nanda.
'Our dear Rishi Kapoor passed away peacefully at 8:45am 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,' the family said in a statement.
Rishi returned to India last September after undergoing treatment for his cancer in the US for almost a year.
In February, he was hospitalised twice.
He was first admitted to a hospital in Delhi where he was attending a family function. At the time, he had said he was suffering from an 'infection'.
After his return to Mumbai, he was again admitted to a hospital with viral fever. He was discharged soon after.
Rishi made his first screen appearance as a child artiste in his father Raj Kapoor's film Shri 420, where he appeared in the song Pyaar hua ekraar hua. This was followed by Mera Naam Joker. But it was in 1973, with the blockbuster Bobby, again directed by his father, that he made his debut as a romantic hero. He continued to be a favourite romantic hero for almost three decades.
His notable films as a romantic hero are Laila Majnu, Rafoo Chakkar, Karz, Chandni, Heena and Saagar.
He was, however, more proud of his second innings as an actor, which he found more satisfying. His notable films as a character artiste are Do Dooni Chaar with wife Neetu, Agnipath and Kapoor & Sons.
Bollywood celebrities pay their respects
The death of the Rishi Kapoor is an 'irreparable loss' to the Indian film industry and the end of an era, said colleagues Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth, Taapsee Pannu, Akshay Kumar and other cine personalities.
Bachchan, a close friend and frequent collaborator of the actor, broke the news on social media, but deleted the tweet seconds after posting it.
'He's GONE .. ! Rishi Kapoor .. gone .. just passed away .. I am destroyed, he had wrote on Twitter.
Bachchan had starred opposite Rishi Kapoor in films like Amar Akbar Anthony, Kabhi Kabhie, Naseeb, Coolie and Ajooba. Their last movie together was 2011's 102 Not Out.
South superstar Rajinikanth, who worked with Rishi Kapoor in 1986's Dosti Dushmani said he was heartbroken .
'Heartbroken ... Rest In Peace ... my dearest friend #RishiKapoor,' the actor wrote.
Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar said the actor's passing away has created a huge void in the cinema industry.
'I don't know what to say? I'm very said with the news of Rishi ji's demise. His passing away is an irreparable loss for the film industry. It's really tough for me to bear this pain. May his soul rest in peace,' Mangeshkar posted on Twitter.
Akshay said it felt like being in the middle of a 'nightmare .
'Just heard the depressing news of #RishiKapoor ji passing away, it's heartbreaking. He was a legend, a great co-star and a good friend of the family. My thoughts and prayers with his family,' the actor wrote in a parting message for his Namastey London and Patiala House co-star.
Filmmaker Karan Johar, who directed Rishi Kapoor in Student of the Year, wrote, 'He was my childhood.'
Farhan Akhtar said the actor's death was an irreparable loss .
'Absolutely heartbroken. This is an irreparable loss. To the film industry. To the audiences. And to all who were blessed enough to know him personally. Love you Rishi uncle. #RIP,' he wrote.
Ajay Devgn said the actor's demise is nothing short of a stab to my heart .
'One blow after another. Rishi ji's passing away is nothing short of a stab to my heart. We associated in 'Raju Chacha' (2000) and stayed in touch through...until now. Condolences to Neetuji, Ranbir, Riddhima & Dabbooji. Folded hands,' Devgn wrote.
Rishi Kapoor's last prominent role was in 2017's Mulk, directed by Anubhav Sinha.
The filmmaker wrote on Twitter, 'Noooooo Chintu Ji..... Nooooo!!!!' His co-actor from the film, Taapsee, said she is finding it hard to put her feeling into words.
'Been trying to write something and I can't put my mind and hands in sync. More like the heart in between is just not able to comprehend this. That laugh, that sense of humour, the honesty and even the bully he was, will be missed. No one like you #RishiKapoor,' she posted on the microblogging site.
Priyanka Chopra, who met Rishi Kapoor in New York where he was undergoing the treatment for cancer last year, called his death an end of an era.
'My heart is so heavy. This is the end of an era. #Rishisir your candid heart and immeasurable talent will never be encountered again. Such a privilege to have known you even a little bit,' she posted on Twitter alongside a photograph from their meeting in the US.
Writer Apurva Asrani, shared a screenshot from the movie D-Day, which was the only film featuring both Rishi Kapoor and Irrfan, and wrote, Another warrior goes down fighting. Goodbye Rishi Kapoor. Thank you for the movies, for that disarming smile and for being brave enough to call a spade a spade. You were one of the best.'
Manoj Bajpayee said the news of the actor's death has crushed him.
'Couldn't even finish writing an obituary of our IRRFAN (RIP friend) and the news of Rishi Kapoor ji passing away has completely crushed me!! No...this is not happening,' he wrote.
'With tears in my eyes I bid this adieu..to an actor who played my brother, father and also my hero eventually whose songs I grew up loving and dancing to my most favourite and versatile actor,' Urmila Matondkar, who starred opposite Rishi Kapoor in 1993's Shreemaan Aashique, tweeted.
His Aurangzeb co-actor, and south star Prithviraj Sukumaran said this was a sad week for cinema world.
'This is a sad sad week for cinema. Rest in peace ?#RishiKapoor sir. Had the absolute privilege of working with him in #Aurangzeb. Used to tell me he can't call me by name as I shared it with his grand father. Farewell legend. We will miss you!' he said on Twitter.
Remembering her Shuddh Desi Romance co-star, Parineeti Chopra said, the veteran actor used to treat her like a friend.
