Rishi Kapoor dies at 67

Bollywood legend Rishi Kapoor has passed away at the age of 67. Rishi was undergoing treatment for leukaemia at the H.N Reliance Hospital. He was apparently suffering from complications of cancer treatment. For the past three weeks, Rishi was at the hospital but his state became critical last evening. He was kept in the ICU and was on ventilator. He passed away today on Thursday morning with his wife Neetu by his side.

Rishi was first diagnosed with cancer in 2018 and went over to the U.S. for treatment for a year before coming back to Mumbai after successfully recovering. It was reported earlier in February this year that he has relapsed while on a visit in Delhi. He was immediately rushed to the hospital and was discharged soon after. It was reported that while the family saw this as a sign of relapse, Rishi refused to believe that the cancer came back.

Here’s the official statement from the Kapoor family:

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.

Amitabh Bachchan was the first one to announce Rishi’s passing on Twitter.

As the most good-looking Kapoor, Rishi made a career in Bollywood playing romantic roles and later transitioning to supporting or character roles. He was launched by his own father legendary actor Raj Kapoor in ‘Bobby’ – a film that instantly gave birth to Rishi, the heartthrob and Bollywood’s first chocolate boy!

In a career that spanned over decades, Rishi has worked with the who’s who of Indian cinema, including other legends like Kamal Haasan, Amitabh Bachchan, Rajnikanth and many more. He has also worked as a leading man opposite many leading ladies from different decades, including Dimple Kapadia, Divya Barathi, Sridevi, Neetu Singh, Juhi Chawla and many more.

Rishi made his debut as a director in 1999 with ‘Aa Ab Laut Chalen’, a film that starred Rajesh Khanna, Aishwarya Rai and Akshaye Khanna.

The last film that Rishi Kapoor appeared in was ‘The Body’ alongside Emraan Hashmi, which was released in December 2019.

May the most good-looking man and shining star of the Kapoor finally rest in peace.

Rishi Kapoor is survived by his wife Neetu, his son Ranbir and daughter Riddhima.