Zillions of hearts were shattered when we heard the news of Irrfan Khan’s demise and while we were taking time to sink in the dreadful news, God took another gem from us. On April 28, 2020, Rishi Kapoor was admitted to the HN Reliance hospital by his family, when he had complained of breathing problem. It was in 2018 when Rishi Kapoor was diagnosed with cancer and had headed to the US for its treatment. A year later, he came back to Mumbai all hale and hearty. (Also Read: Irrfan Khan's Love Story With Wife Sutapa Sikdar Is One In A Million, She Was Truly His Best Half)
In a statement, Rishi Kapoor’s brother, Randhir Kapoor had said, “He is suffering from cancer and he has some breathing problem, so he has been admitted to the hospital. He is stable now.” In February, Rishi Kapoor was hospitalised twice on account of his ill health. And while we were sinking in the terrible news of Irrfan Khan passing away, Amitabh Bachchan confirmed that Rishi Kapoor is no more.
Here’s an official statement from the family, “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. 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. 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. He would not have it any other way.”
In his tweet, Amitabh Bachchan wrote, “He's GONE .. ! Rishi Kapoor .. gone .. just passed away .. I am destroyed !” Akshay Kumar tweeted, "It seems like we’re in the midst of a nightmare...just heard the depressing news of #RishiKapoor ji passing away, it’s heartbreaking. He was a legend, a great co-star and a good friend of the family. My thoughts and prayers with his family." Rahul Gandhi wrote, “This is a terrible week for Indian cinema, with the passing of another legend, actor Rishi Kapoor. A wonderful actor, with a huge fan following across generations, he will be greatly missed. My condolences to his family, friends & fans all over the world, at this time of grief.”
It was on September 29, 2018, when Rishi Kapoor had tweeted about his short absence from work and had requested his fans and well-wishers to not unnecessarily speculate about his diagnosis. But speculations did mount over Rishi ji’s health and multiple reports about him suffering from the Big C made it to the headlines. Then in a New Year 2019 post from Neetu Kapoor’s profile had provided to be a subtle hint about her husband’s ailment. (Also Read: Rishi Kapoor's Birthday Wish For His Dad Raj Kapoor With A Throwback Pic Will Hit You With Nostalgia)
Last year, Rishi Kapoor had opened up about battling the devastating disease and the struggles he had to go through in the past year. In an interview with the Mumbai Mirror, when asked to comment on the plenty of speculations about his health, Rishi Kapoor had spilt some beans on how he has been doing and had said, “On the subject of my health, thanks to the prayers and good wishes of my family, friends and fans, I am perfect now. The cancer is in remission, but I am still under treatment. I have a crucial meeting with the doctors today at 10.45 am, there’s one treatment still left to be done.”
Further stating that the problem was not the treatment, but the reaction time, Rishi Kapoor continued, "The problem is not the treatment but the reaction time. There is a six-week gap between one treatment and the next when all you can do is eat, shop, watch movies, live a normal life, which I would rather do at home than here in New York. It has been nine months and 16 days. I know, since I have been counting the days that I have been away. I really miss home." (Also Read: Neetu Kapoor Reveals Ranbir Kapoor's Reaction When They Told Him Of Rishi Kapoor's Cancer Diagnosis)
We will miss you, Rishi ji!
