NEW DELHI: In a double whammy to Indian cinema, loved actor Rishi Kapoor succumbed to cancer in a Mumbai hospital on Thursday. He was 67. The death came a day after Irrfan Khan, his younger colleague by 10 years, died after his battle with cancer.

“This is a terrible week for Indian cinema with the passing of another legend, actor Rishi Kapoor,” said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. “A wonderful actor, with a huge fan following across generations, he will be greatly missed.”

The actor’s last rites were performed at Chandanwadi Crematorium in Kalbadevi, Mumbai.

Kapoor’s daughter, Riddhima Kap­oor Sahani, had sought special permissions from the Ministry of Home Affairs to travel to Mumbai from Delhi, but she couldn’t make it to the cremation.

Present for the final rites were his son Ranbir Kapoor, wife Neetu Kapoor, brothers Randhir and Rajiv Kapoor, his sister Rima Jain and his nieces and nephews Kareena along with her husband Saif Ali Khan, Armaan and Aadar Jain, among others. From the industry, Abhishek Bachchan, Alia Bhatt and Ayan Mukherji were also present.

Rishi Kapoor began his acting career with a memorable role as a child artist in Mera Naam Joker, his father Raj Kapoor’s magnum opus. That role is remembered for his interpretation of calf love he harboured for his schoolteacher played by Simi Garewal.

Rishi’s next film was a landmark cult movie, Bobby. The performance in the love story of young hearts, in which he was paired with newcomer Dimple Kapadia, established him in the mid-1970s as a quality actor. He excelled as a romantic hero but occasionally switched to comedy with equal ease.

Rishi was diagnosed with leukaemia two years ago and underwent treatment in the US. His family issued statement to fans, saying he had kept the hospital staff entertained till his last breath.

“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.

“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 tweeted the news, saying he was devastated. “He’s GONE...! Rishi Kapoor… gone ... just passed away... I am destroyed!”

Born in the first family of Hindi cinema, Rishi Kapoor was the son of the man India calls the showman, Raj Kapoor, and grandson of the famous Prithviraj Kapoor. Rishi was the second son of Raj and the sibling of Randhir, Ritu Nanda, Rima Jain and Rajeev Kapoor.

After Bobby, he went on to play the romantic lead in 92 films between 1973 and 2000, and was awarded the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008. He appeared opposite his future wife Neetu Singh in 12 films. The couple had two children — daughter Riddhima and son Ranbir, who is also a popular actor.

He was part of hit films such as Amar Akbar Anthony, Laila Majnu, Rafoo Chakkar, Sargam, Karz, Bol Radha Bol and others. In the later stage of his career, he was seen in films such as Kapoor and Sons, D-Day, Mulk and 102 Not Out.

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2020