Tribute: The Legacy of Rishi Kapoor
It is the film fraternity’s another huge loss. The legendary Indian actor Rishi Kapoor has died of leukaemia at the age of 67. Kapoor was admitted to the Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital in Mumbai on 29th April, 2020 and passed away today, on 30th April, 2020. He is survived by wife Neetu Kapoor, daughter Riddhima Kapoor and son Ranbir Kapoor.
His family statement came in, and it said, “Our dear Rishi Kapoor passed away peacefully at 8:45am IST in hospital today after a two-year battle with leukaemia. 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.”
Rishi Kapoor's funeral took place today at the Chandanwadi crematorium in Mumbai's Marine Lines. Kapoor was admitted in the hospital in February a couple of times. Before that, he had returned to India last September after undergoing treatment for cancer in the US for almost a year.
Rishi Kapoor was the son of Raj Kapoor, and grandson of the famous Prithviraj Kapoor. This Bollywood veteran actor has been around for years, delivering some of the classic films.
He went on to play the romantic lead in 92 films between 1973 and 2000, and was awarded the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008. Not many people know but Rishi Kapoor’s very first screen appearance was seen towards the end of the popular 1955 film ‘Shree 420’s song ‘Pyaar Hua, Iqraar Hua’.
He appeared opposite his now wife Neetu Singh in 12 films. Their love story dates back to 1974 as both were cast opposite each other for the first time in Puttanna Kanagal's Zehreela Insaan. With Neetu, Rishi Kapoor developed a strong friendship. The dating chapter for Rishi and Neetu began in 1975. Eventually they got married in 1980, when she was 21 and he, 26.
Rishi Kapoor made his actual debut in Mera Naam Joker in 1970, directed by his father and actor- director Raj Kapoor. He also bagged a National Film Award for Best Child Actor.
His first film was soon followed by another big hit, which eventually became a Hindi classic ‘Bobby’ (1973) wherein he was paired with Dimple Kapadia. This film also landed him a Filmfare Award for Best Actor.
He was considered as the only chocolate boy in the entire Bollywood at the peak of his career during the late ’70s and mid-’80s. Be it Rafoo Chakkar, Kabhi Kabhie, Khel Khel Mein or Amar Akbar Anthony, Prem Rogh or Naseeb, the audiences loved him as the leading man. He has delivered many smash-hits and some of them went on to become the highest grossing movies of the decade. He also had the distinction of being honoured for his work by the Russian Government.
After the 2000s, we witnessed him re-defining his defined image as a chocolate boy as he experimented with a lot of different character-roles across various genres and sub-genres like comedy, action, drama, romance, suspense and even negative roles.
Speaking of more recent times, Kapoor played a 90-year-old resident of Coonoor in the film ‘Kapoor & Sons – Since 1921’. His portrayal of such a character with powerful conviction will linger in people’s mind forever.
If that was not enough corroboration for his versatility, he even played a dark character in the 2012 film ‘Agneepath’ where Rishi Kapoor plays the intimidating and fatherly Rauf Lala, a drug dealer and a pimp who runs a meat-selling business as his front to hide his criminal activities. In 2018, we witnessed two of his extremely touching and pioneering works with films like ‘Mulk’ and ‘102 Not Out’.
It is believed that among all other films, his most memorable film was ‘Chandni’. This film was important because it led Sridevi to stardom and also helped to give a fresh lease of life to Yash Chopra’s career after a string of flops.
Bollywood legend, Rishi Kapoor’s contemporary actor and a very dear friend Amitabh Bachchan mourned his death, saying, “He's GONE .. ! Rishi Kapoor .. gone .. just passed away .. I am destroyed!."
In such an unbearably difficult time that his family is going through, it is thoughtful of them to generate such message for his fans;
“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.”
Although, he would like to be remembered with a smile but we couldn’t help but shed a few tears cause of such a huge loss!
Dear Rishi Kapoor, May your soul Rest in Peace.
