Veteran iconic Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor has died at the age of 67 after a two-year battle with cancer. The star Kapoor had breathed his last on Thursday at the Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital in Mumbai and was in the presence of his wife and actor, Neetu Kapoor. The shocking news was announced by Amitabh Bachchan himself on his Twitter page who was quoted as saying, "He’s GONE .. ! Rishi Kapoor .. gone .. just passed away .. I am destroyed !" Check out Amitabh Bachchan's tweet below:
T 3517 - He's GONE .. ! Rishi Kapoor .. gone .. just passed away ..
I am destroyed !— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) April 30, 2020
Rishi Kapoor had been admitted in the hospital on Wednesday morning with his elder brother and actor Randhir Kapoor issuing a statement saying, "It’s true that he has been admitted to the hospital. He is in Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital. He was not keeping well and had some problem, so we admitted him early this morning,". When queried if it was an emergency, Randhir stated, "That’s why he has gone to the hospital. But I know that he will be alright. Neetu is by his side."
The legendary actor was diagnosed with cancer in 2018 after which he was undergoing treatment in New York for well over a year and had returned to India in September 2019. However, Rishi Kapoor's recovery in health had been incessant since his return to India and was once again admitted to hospital in February this year during a visit to New Delhi. Rishi Kapoor was the second son of late legendary actor Raj Kapoor and was the sibling of Randhir Kapoor, Ritu Nanda, Rima Jain and Rajeev Kapoor.
Making his debut in Bobby in 1973 opposite Dimple Kapadia, Rishi Kapoor became a star overnight and was also a part of blockbuster films such as Amar Akbar Anthony, Laila Majnu, Rafoo Chakkar , Sargam, Karz, Bol Radha Bol among others. He had also appeared as a child artiste in films such as Shree 420 and Mera Naam Joker. Over the years, he starred in character roles in films namely Kapoor and Sons, D-Day, Mulk and 102 Not Out.
Last seen in Emraan Hashmi’s The Body, Rishi Kapoor was also announced to be a part of the remake of the Hollywood film, The Intern, alongside Deepika Padukone. The news of Rishi Kapoor's death will no doubt come as a massive blow for the veteran actor's fans across the nation as he had amassed a huge following over the years with his exceptional skills as an actor and was known to be one of the best dancers to date in Indian cinema.