Rishi Kapoor, Bollywood actor, dies of cancer at 67

Rishi Kapoor, veteran Bollywood actor, has passed away after a two-year battle with cancer. He was 67 years old.

Rishi, who is famed for his romantic roles, died on Thursday, after being admitted to a hospital in Mumbai the previous night.

“Our dear Rishi Kapoor passed away peacefully at 8:45 am IST in hospital today after a two-year battle with leukaemia,” his family said in a statement.

“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.”

Narendra Modi, India’s prime minister, took to his Twitter page to pay his condolences to the family of the deceased.

“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,” he wrote.

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

The late movie star was part of the Kapoor acting dynasty which has long dominated Bollywood.

Born to Raj and Krishna Raj Kapoor, Rishi made his debut as a child actor in ‘Mera Naam Joker’, one of his father’s films in 1970.

He would later feature in more than 100 films including some of the most successful Indian movies like ‘Bobby’, ‘Chandni’ and ‘Prem Rog’.

Kapoor’s death comes a day after Irrfan Khan, a Bollywood actor renowned for his role in ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, a 2008 British crime drama film, breathed his last after battling with a colon infection.