Legendary Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor passes away at 67 in Mumbai

Bollywood legend Rishi Kapoor is no more! The veteran actor passed away in Mumbai on Thursday morning at the age of 67, just a day after versatile actor Irrfan Khan passed away.

Kapoor died from complications with cancer in H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital after battling with the disease for more than 2 years. The veteran actor was born on September 4, 1952.

Veteran actor Rishi Kapoor passed away, announced megastar Amitabh Bachchan on Twitter.

“T 3517 – He’s GONE .. ! Rishi Kapoor .. gone .. just passed away .. I am destroyed !” Bachchan Tweeted.

The actor who was hospitalized on Wednesday tweeted on April 2 for the last time. The Tweet was on COVID-19 pandemic.

“An appeal Folded hands to all brothers and sisters from all social status and faiths. Please don’t resort to violence,stone throwing or lynching. Doctors, Nurses, Medics,Policemen etc.. are endangering their lives to save you. We have to win this Coronavirus war together. Please. Jai Hind! Flag of India,” he had tweeted on 2 April.

Kapoor, son to the legendary Raj Kapoor, had  a long and illustrious career with several memorable films to his credit such as Bobby, Karz, Chashme Baddoor, Bol Radha Bol and many more.

Towards the later phase of his life, he excelled in during different character roles and won accolades for films such as Agneepath, Rajma Chawal, 102 Not Out and others.

The veteran actor was seen for the last time in ‘The Body’, a thriller movie released in 2019. It was the last movie of the actor who made his debut in Bollywood from Mera Naam Joker and Bobby as a lead actor. His first full-scale role was in his father’s Mera Naam Joker in 1970.

The actor’s family on Thursday issued a statement on his demise detailing how the veteran remained jovial and determined to live to the fullest right through two years of cancer treatment. He passed away at 8:45 am IST, the Kapoor family said.

“Our dear Rishi Kapoor passed away peacefully at 8:45am 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,” read the heartfelt note.

“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,” the statement revealed.

Rishi was grateful for the love of his fans that poured in from the world over, his family noted. “In his passing, they would all understand that he would like to be remembered with a smile and not with tears.”

“In this hour of personal loss, we also recognize 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. He would not have it any other way,” concluded the statement.