Bollywood is grief depths as India mourns its second loss after the death of leading Bollywood star Rishi Kapoor passed away at the age of 67.
The Indian-born actor family announced that he has died on Thursday, after a two-year battle with leukemia.
Kapoor, who achieved considerable success in Bollywood, had been admitted to a hospital in Mumbai on Wednesday.
He had returned last September to India after undergoing treatment for leukemia in the US for nearly a year. The late actor was admitted into the hospital twice in February.
With India currently under lockdown, the late actor’s family issued a statement to urging his fans, who would have poured on to the streets in mourning under normal circumstances, to follow coronavirus social distancing rules.
Many officials, celebrities, and public figures had paid tribute to the late actor including Indian President Ram Nath Kovind, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Akshay Kumar, Kamal Haasan, Priyanka Chopra, and many others mourned the actor’s death on social media.
Rishi Kapoor’s untimely demise is shocking. An evergreen personality with an always smiling face, he was so full of life that it's difficult to believe that he is no more. A huge loss for the entertainment industry. Let us pray for his soul. Condolences to his family and friends.
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) April 30, 2020
Multifaceted, endearing and lively…this was Rishi Kapoor Ji. He was a powerhouse of talent. I will always recall our interactions, even on social media. He was passionate about films and India’s progress. Anguished by his demise. Condolences to his family and fans. Om Shanti.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 30, 2020
It seems like we’re in the midst 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 🙏🏻
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) April 30, 2020
Cant believe it. Chintu ji @chintskap. (Mr.Rishi Kapoor) was always ready with a smile. We had mutual love and respect. Will miss my friend. My heartfelt condolence to the family.
— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) April 30, 2020
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. My condolences to Neetu maam, Ridhima, Ranbir and the rest of the family. Rest in peace Sir. pic.twitter.com/TR6GVSN4m7
— PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) April 30, 2020
In memoir
The late Bollywood star was born on September 4, 1952, into a family of actors as his father, Raj Kapoor, and grandfather, Prithviraj Kapoor, were doyens of Bollywood. Kapoor began acting as a teenager and received the National Film Award for his debut role in his father’s 1970 film “Mera Naam Joker”.
He co-starred in over 90 films between 1973 and 2000, often as the romantic lead, and soon, became famous for his talents in singing and dancing.
In 1980, he married his fellow actress Nitu Singh, who had co-starred as his love interest in many movies, and together welcomed two children, a son, Ranbir Kapoor, who is currently one of the top Bollywood actors, and a daughter, fashion designer, Riddhima Kapoor Sahani.
Kapoor co-starred in his final artistic role in the 2019 movie “The Body”.
