Bollywood Mourns the Death of Legend Rishi Kapoor

The untimely demise of veteran Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor on Thursday brought in a barrage of reactions on social media. The actor went to the HN Reliance hospital with his family on Wednesday morning after he complained of breathing issues.

He died of cancer at the age of 67.

His family released a statement after his death:

“Our dear Rishi Kapoor passed away peacefully at 8:45 am 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.”

From actors to politicians, eminent personalities, including the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi; Vice President of India Venkaiah Naidu, and West Bengal’s Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee; mourned the loss of the legend.

While Amitabh Bachchan wrote that this information “destroyed” him. Akshay Kumar termed the news “heartbreaking”. Rajinikanth prayed for his “dearest friend” to rest in peace.

Others who expressed their condolences were his fellow stars in film Hema Malini, Simi Garewal, Aamir Khan, Madhuri Dixit-Nene; Sanjay Dutt, Preity Zinta, Salman Khan, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Ranveer Singh, Anushka Sharma, and Sonam Kapoor among others.

See some of the posts below:

Saddened to hear that my senior schoolmate at Mumbai's CampionSchool, Rishi Kapoor, whom i competed with in "inter-class dramatics" in 1967-68, has gone to a better world. From the romantic hero of "Bobby"to the mature character actor of his last films, he evolved remarkably. RIP pic.twitter.com/9eyzE0qP38

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) 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

Deeply saddened to learn about the demise of veteran Hindi film actor, Shri Rishi Kapoor. The talented actor essayed many roles with aplomb & was popular for his romantic films. In his passing away, the nation lost a beloved son and film industry lost a gem. pic.twitter.com/vpXvfLO29Q

— Vice President of India (@VPSecretariat) April 30, 2020

Unspeakable grief. Another legend passes away! Blessed to have worked briefly with #RishiKapoor sir in ‘Aurangzeb’ -a great actor, he was as engaging a ranconteur! An artist whose craft grew & sustained across generations! #RIP sir!
There cannot will not be another like you! pic.twitter.com/IOCcqWS35p

— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) April 30, 2020

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 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. #rishikapoor
 
A post shared by  Priyanka Chopra Jonas (@priyankachopra) on Apr 29, 2020 at 9:27pm PDT
 

Both tragedies have happened in ths terrible time of corona & it is too much to digest.Such a wonderful actor,Rishi, snuffed out just whn we thot he was recovering.Sad tht we cannot pay our last respects to this lovely person.We are all with the Kapoors in spirit in ths tragedy🙏

— Hema Malini (@dreamgirlhema) April 30, 2020

We have lost one of the greats today. An amazing actor, a wonderful human being, and 100% a child of Cinema.
Thank you for all the joy you brought to our lives.
Thank you for being the actor and human being that you were.
You will be badly missed Rishiji.
Love.
a.

— Aamir Khan (@aamir_khan) April 30, 2020

Today I have lost a dear friend Rishi kapoor. We had first met in Banglore in 1973 .He had come for a charity show of Bobby n I was there for Sholay’s shooting We met in the evening n kept talking till the wee hours to begin a friendship for 47 yrs. Good bye dear friend !!

— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) April 30, 2020

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 I've had the honour of working with Rishi ji. A larger than life person, so outspoken yet so warm. We have lost a brilliant actor today. Still can't believe it.. absolutely heartbroken. My prayers are with the family during this tough time.
 
A post shared by  Madhuri Dixit (@madhuridixitnene) on Apr 29, 2020 at 10:19pm PDT
 

Rishi Kapoor debuted as a child actor in 1970 in his father Raj Kapoor’s film, Mera Naam Joker. Several of his films in the 1980s and 90s – Khel Khel Mein, Karz, and Chandni – became massive box office hits.

He was a skillful dancer and some of his films had songs that are massively popular even today.

Kapoor made a successful on-screen pair with actress Neetu Singh. In one of Bollywood’s most enduring love stories, they took that romance off-screen as well when they got married in 1980.

He passed on the acting gene to his son Ranbir Kapoor, who is now also a Bollywood star.

He played the romantic lead in a total of 92 films between 1973 and 2000. The quintessential Bollywood star sang, danced, and charmed his way into millions of hearts and he will remain in those hearts forever.