Legendary Bollywood actor, Rishi Kapoor, 66, died on Thursday morning. Famed for his romantic roles, Rishi Kapoor died of cancer in Mumbai. He was admitted to the hospital after his health condition worsened on Wednesday.
The last week of April has been dramatic for Indian cinema and Bollywood admirers. The loss of two famed Bollywood actors, Irrfan Khan, and Rishi Kapoor within a passage of one day has rocked India. The death of another actor, Rishi Kapoor from merciless cancer has pushed India into disbelief.
If getting over yesterday's loss wasn't enough.. today brings in another unfortunate demise!
The legendary actor #RishiKapoor … who filled our hearts and screens with so much love..it is sad that he is no more. He surely had an iconic contribution to the Indian film industry!— Sidharth Shukla (@sidharth_shukla) April 30, 2020
Rishi Kapoor was diagnosed with cancer in September 2018. He returned to India from New York last September after his cancer treatment. In New York, Rishi Kapoor had many visitors from back home. Actors Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Ambanis, Alia Bhatt visited him. Pakistani actress Mawra Hocane also visited him in New York.
Rishi Kapoor had expressed utter joy after his homecoming last year.
A statement released from the Kapoor family says, Kapoor ‘remained jovial’ and ‘entertained doctors till the end’. Rishi Kapoor, who was fond of life, “Would like to be remembered with a smile and not with tears.” The family has also appealed to respect the lockdown rules.
Rishi Kapoor in his last message on Twitter had appealed India to maintain unity to fight coronavirus.
Amitabh Bachchan is ‘destroyed’
Amitabh Bachchan broke the news of Rishi Kapoor’s death to the people on social media. With painful words, he wrote, “Rishi Kapoor gone, just passed away, I am destroyed !” on Twitter.
The entire Bollywood fraternity has expressed deep grief. They have extended condolence to the grieving actor Ranbir Kapoor-son of Rishi Kapoor.
Dear #RishiKapoor ji,
Accepting your loss isn't going to be easy. Filling the void you've left in our hearts, isn't going to be easy. We can only imagine the heavens lit up by your presence & ringing with your spry laugh. Because that's who you were, always full of life. R.I.P. pic.twitter.com/f0mcgNwveg— Red Chillies Entertainment (@RedChilliesEnt) April 30, 2020
Amitabh Bachchan, 77, shared a deep bond with late actor Rishi Kapoor. The actors appeared together in various blockbuster films like ‘Amar Akbar Anthony’, ‘Naseeb’, and ‘Coolie’. They reunited in movie ‘102 Not Out’ in 2018, which was also the last movie of Rishi Kapoor. The actors played father-son duo.
The magnificent career of Rishi Kapoor
Rishi Kapoor had a massive career in Bollywood for two decades. The prolific actor appeared in dozens of romantic movies, leaving behind him an unmatched legacy. An academy himself, Rishi Kapoor had a strong lineage of actors. He followed father Raj Kapoor and grandfather, Prithviraj Chauhan in the Indian cinema. Rishi Kapoor, like his ancestors, became a leading hero of his generation.
Rishi Kapoor debuted as a child artiste in 1970 in Raj Kapoor’s movie, ‘Mera Naam Joker’. Several of his films in the 1980s and 90s – Khel Khel Mein, Karz, and Chandni – became massive box-office hits.
Read more: Irrfan Khan, the silent superstar, leaves Bollywood mourning at 53
Rishi Kapoor had his first lead role opposite Dimple Kapadia in the popular 1973 film ‘Bobby’ which became an instant hit among youngsters. He made a popular pairing of Bollywood with future wife Neetu Singh in 1974-1981. But the pair was successful only in multi-star cast films.
As films with Rishi as main lead like Zehreela Insaan, Zinda Dil, Doosra Aadmi, Anjane Mein, Jhoota Kahin Ka, Dhan Daulat were box office flops. Rishi Neetu pair was successful in multi-star films like Khel Khel Mein, Kabhie Kabhie, Amar Akbar Anthony, Pati Patni Aur Woh and Duniya Meri Jeb Mein.
We lost two finest artists within two days. Rishi Kapoor sir & Irrfan Khan sir will be remembered forever!
Rest in peace legends #RishiKapoor #IrrfanKhan 🙏💔 pic.twitter.com/X3bw3GAglK
— Devil V!SHAL (@VishalRC007) April 30, 2020
The only solo hit of the Rishi Neetu was ‘Rafoo Chakkar’. Rishi Kapoor got 51 films as the solo lead hero from 1974-1997. Out of these movies, 40 were box-office flops and 11 hits, those were Bobby, Laila Majnu, Rafoo Chakkar, Sargam, Karz, Prem Rog, Nagina, Honeymoon, Banjaran, Heena, and Bol Radha Bol.
Latter part of his career
In the latter part of his career, he played supporting roles in films like Yeh Hai Jalwa, Hum Tum, Fanaa, Namaste London, Love Aaj Kal, and Patiala House. He also appeared in British films ‘Don’t Stop Dreaming and Sambar Salsa’.
Read more: Imran Khan receives advice from Rishi Kapoor to fight coronavirus
Rishi Kapoor was an avid social media user. He often commented on controversial topics and engaged in heated debates. Several times, he criticized Pakistan on political issues, however his last tweet on Pakistan was to advise Imran Khan to tell Pakistanis to take corona seriously “People of Pakistan are also dear to us. Once we were one. We are concerned too. This is a global crisis. No ego matter this. We love you guys.” Pakistani fans of Rishi Kapoor have expressed regret over his death.
With all due respect, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan should also advice his country to take adequate precautions. People of Pakistan are also dear to us. Once we were one. We are concerned too. This is a global crisis. No ego matter this. We love you guys. Humanity zindabad !
— Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) March 19, 2020
May he rest in peace.