Tribute To Rishi Kapoor (1952-2020) : The Legend Who Taught Romance to Bollywood

Death : The last sleep? No, it is the final awakening. – Walter Scott

2 LEGENDS BIDDING GOODBYE

Is the year 2020 a curse to the world? Right from the very beginning, the world has been suffering. Coronavirus has turned into a disaster and has killed lakhs of people around the globe.

Late Irrfan Khan in a still from ‘The Lunchbox’

April 29,2020 – took the whole world into doom. The world was still recovering from the saddening news of Irrfan Ali Khan‘s demise. The legendary Bollywood and Hollywood actor left for his heavenly abode this Wednesday morning.

April 30, 2020 – Another shocking news came up. Veteran actor Rishi Raj Kapoor is no more now. The actor was diagnosed with Bone-Marrow Cancer in 2018. RishiJi, the legend, who had a glorifying career in the Bollywood spanning over five decades, passed away at 67 at a Mumbai hospital on Thursday morning. He is survived by his wife Neetu Kapoor, daughter Ridhima Kapoor Sahni and son Ranbir Kapoor.

Big B aka Amitabh Bachchan confirmed this heart tearing news through his tweet. He wrote:

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

Amid the lockdown, Media and the Internet are flooded with these heartbreaking updates for the last 2 days.

Kapoor had been ailing ever since he was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer. He went to New York for treatment and stayed there for around 11 months. There, he had many visitors from India, including Shah Rukh Khan, Alia Bhatt, Deepika Padukone, etc.

His final riots were performed in the Chandanwadi Crematorium, Mumbai.

A BIT ABOUT THE LEGEND – RISHI RAJ KAPOOR (SEPTEMBER 4, 1952 – APRIL 30, 2020)

An Indian origin Actor, Director, and Producer, he was well known for his work in Bollywood and Hollywood. He won the National Film Award for his debut as a Child Artist in his father Raj Kapoor‘s film Mera Naam Joker (1970). In the Bollywood movie 102 Not Out, he was last seen along with Sir Amitabh Bachchan, where he played an old man.

A statement from his beloved wife Neetu Kapoor stated that Kapoor “remained jovial” and “kept doctors entertained. “Rishi Kapoor, who was famously fond of life,” would like to be remembered with a smile and not with tears,”

FEW WORDS FROM HIS WIFE, NEETU KAPOOR

She took her Instagram account to say a bit about her late husband. She wrote:

Our dear Rishi Kapoor passed away peacefully at 8:45 AM IST in hospital today after a 2-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 2 years of treatment across 2 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 to 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.

In this our hour of personal loss, we also recognize the world is through a very difficult and troubled time. There are numerous restrictions around movement and gathering in public. We like to request all his fans, well-wishers and friends of the family to please respect the laws that are in force.

He would not have it any other way.

The family appealed that lockdown rules must be respected by Mr. Kapoor’s fans and well-wishers.

This indeed is the film fraternity’s second loss in a span of 2 days – Irrfan Khan died of Colon Infection on Wednesday. On the other hand, Rishi Kapoor was taken to a hospital the same day. His brother, veteran actor Randhir Kapoor talked to PTI and confirmed about his hospitalization.

“Rishi is in the hospital. He is suffering from cancer and has some breathing problems, so he has been admitted to the hospital. He is stable now,” told PTI.

Rishi Kapoor had spent around 11 months in New York being treated for cancer and returned to Mumbai in September last year.

“Back home! 11 months, 11 days! Thank you all,” – He tweeted

FEW ICONIC FILMS OF RISHI KAPOOR

From a child artist in Mera Naam Joker to an oldie in 102 Not Out, this legend has showcased himself in every role possible. Rishi Kapoor completely charmed his way into millions of hearts with his gleaming debut as a lead actor in Bobby (1973) opposite Dimple Kapadia.

Rishi Kapoor began his career as a child artist. He appeared in a Shree 420 song Pyar Hua Ikrar Hua and also played the younger version of his father in Mera Naam Joker. He made his debut as an adult lead actor and was awarded the Filmfare Best Actor Award in1974. Rishi Kapoor smoothly became the most romantic hero of his time. Films such as Khel Khel Mein, Rafoo Chakkar, and Karz got him this tag. Mr. Kapoor worked his entire life, delivering his best performances later too with films like Agneepath (2012) and Mulk (2018).

His song ‘Mai Shayar Toh Nahin‘ was an ultimate masterpiece.

In the year 2008, RishiJi was honored with the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award. He appeared opposite his wife Neetu Singh in 12 films between 1973 and 1981.

Last seen in 2019 films, The Body and Jhootha Kahin Ka, Kapoor was confirmed to be starred in a Bollywood adaptation of “The Intern“ with Deepika Padukone.

EARLY AND PERSONAL LIFE

Rishi Raj Kapoor was born in Chembur, Bombay, to a Punjabi family. He was Raj Kapoor and Krishna raj Kapoor’s second son and the grandson of legendary Prithviraj Kapoor. He had 2 brothers, Randhir Kapoor and Rajiv Kapoor. and 2 sisters, Ritu Nanda and late Rima Jain.

Rishi Kapoor with parents and 2 brothers

Kapoor’s maternal uncles, Prem Nath, Rajendra Nath, Narendra Nath, & Prem Chopra, as well as his paternal uncles, Shashi Kapoor & Shammi Kapoor, were all actors. The KAPOOR family has a legacy of its own as they have been ruling over Bollywood for more than 100 years. He completed his schooling from Campion School, Mumbai, and further studied in Mayo College, Ajmer.

Kapoor married his 15-time co-actress Neetu Singh, on 22 January 1980. The couple had two children—Riddhima Kapoor Sahani (born on 15 September 1980 and actor Ranbir Kapoor (born on 28 September 1982). He was the paternal uncle of Karisma Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor, and maternal uncle of industrialist Nikhil Nanda.

Rishi Kapoor wrote his autobiography and named it Khullam Khulla: Rishi Kapoor Uncensored. It was released on January 15, 2017. He worked along with Meena Iyer to write this.

LIST OF AWARDS

1970 – Bengal Film Journalists’ Association Awards: Special Award, and National Film Award for Mera Naam Joker
1974 – Filmfare Award for Best Actor for Bobby
2008 – Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award
2009 – Honoured by the Russian Government for contribution to cinema
2010 – Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards: Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Love Aaj Kal
2011 – Zee Cine Awards: Best Lifetime Jodi along with Neetu Singh
2011 – Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor for Do Dooni Chaar
2013 – The Times of India Film Awards (TOIFA): Best Actor in a Negative Role for Agneepath
2016 – Giants Award from Union Minister Prakash Javdekar
2016 – Screen Lifetime Achievement Award
2017 – Screen Award for Best Supporting Actor for Kapoor & Sons
2017 – Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for Kapoor & Sons
2017 – Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Male for Kapoor & Sons
2017 – Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Comic Role for Kapoor & Sons

Award List Courtesy: Wikipedia

MOURNFUL INDUSTRY

In February this year, Rishi Kapoor was hospitalized twice – once in New Delhi (he was attending a family event there), and then in Mumbai. He stated that doctors had found a patch on his lungs which could have further led to pneumonia.

Rishi Kapoor tweeted after being hospitalized in Delhi:

“Dear family, friends, foes and followers. I have been overwhelmed by all of your concern about my health. Thank you. I have been filming in Delhi past 18 days and because of the pollution and I caught an infection whereby I had to be hospitalized.”

The whole industry is grieving right now as we have recently lost 2 legends. Irrfan Khan and Rishi Kapoor. Many actors have expressed their condolence to the Kapoor family by tweeting or posting on other social media platforms.