Veteran Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor, who has been battling cancer passed away at a private hospital in Mumbai at 8.45 a.m. on Thursday, his brother Randhir Kapoor said.
The 67-year-old actor was admitted to Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital in Mumbai on Wednesday as his condition worsened.
"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," the family said in a statement.
"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 statement said.
Rishi Kapoor was diagnosed with cancer in 2018 following which he was in New York for nearly a year to undergo treatment. He returned to India in September last year.
Post return to India, Kapoor’s health has frequently been in focus. In February, Kapoor was hospitalised twice due to his health issues.
A third generation actor, Rishi Kapoor, was the second son of actor Raj Kapoor and a grandson of Prithviraj Kapoor. He began is career as a child artiste in Mera Naam Joker (1970), for which he received the National Award. As an adult protagonist, his first film was Bobby in 1973. Kapoor went on to act in over 90 films in the next four decades.
He was last seen in 102 Not Out co-starring Amitabh Bachchan, where the latter played Kapoor’s centenarian father.
His autobiographyKhullam Khulla: Rishi Kapoor Uncensored… was published by Harper Collins and launched at 'The Hindu Lit for Life 2017'.
The actor recently announced his next project , a remake of Hollywood film The Intern , also featuring Deepika Padukone.
Family's statement
In a statement to the media, the Kapoor family asked that Rishi Kapoor be remembered with a smile rather than tears.
"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," it added.
The family requested the public to respect the laws surrounding the national lockdown to combat the spread of coronavirus.
"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," said the statement.
Rishi Kapoor is survived by his wife Neetu and son Ranbir, both actors, and daughter Ridhima.
Rishi Kapoor cremated
Rishi Kapoor was cremated at the Chandanwadi crematorium in south Mumbai in the presence of close family members.
His body was brought to the crematorium in an ambulance at around 3.45 pm directly from the hospital amid tight police security due to the coronavirus lockdown.
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.
