Rishi Kapoor the Bollywood legend dies at 67

The famous Kapoor Khandaan of Bollywood, today loses its most cherubic romantic hero, Rishi Kapoor. Rishi Kapoor, the son of the legendary film star and film producer Raj Kapoor died on Thursday, April 30, 2020. Till this day he fought a battle against leukemia, that began in New York in 2018 and ended here in Mumbai.

Rishi Kapoor – The Hero

Acting came naturally to Rishi. After his first cameo at the age of three, he bagged a role in his father’s film Mera Naam Joker (1970) that won him a National Film Award for Best Child Artist. What followed thereafter was his first lead role in the Bollywood film ‘Bobby’ (1973) opposite Dimple Kapadia, which again became a super hit presenting him with not only the Filmfare Award for Best Actor but also a ‘lover boy’ image. After that, he acted in numerous films as a romantic hero. With a career spanning over four decades, he has acted in more than 90 films.

Some of his films which fans have watched over and over again are Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), Karz (1980), and Chandini (1989). His every role touched a chord with the masses. Since the 2000s, he began his second innings moving away from the romantic films to play even more meaningful character roles. Being a natural, he received critical acclaim for his character roles in Love Aaj Kal (2009), Agneepath (2012), Mulk (2018).

Rishi Kapoor kept winning not only hearts but awards and recognition for his work in Bollywood

• Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in Love Aaj Kal (2010).
• Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor in the movie Do Dooni Chhar (2011).
• Times of India Film Awards (TOIFA), for Best Actor in a Negative Role in Agneepath (2013).
• Filmfare Critics Award for Best Supporting Actor & Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role Male for Kapoor & Sons (2017).

In 2008, Rishi Kapoor was honored with the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award.

Rishi Kapoor, the Family Man

When Rishi said, ”Whatever it is in life, apart from my mother, it is due to Neetu: my work, my being, my family ties, I owe everything to her”,  it’s no surprise the beautiful couple received the Zee Cine Awards ‘Best Lifetime Jodi’ in 2011. A fitting tribute to Bollywood’s home-grown couple. What began as love at first sight while shooting Zehreela Insaan (1974), soon blossomed into a union of 40 years. Neetu and Rishi, have two children – son, actor Ranbir Kapoor, and daughter, Riddhima Kapoor Sahani.

Rishi Kapoor, the Outspoken Human

Rishi Kapoor was forthright in his views online, some time to the point of being controversial, often Tweeting without a concern on the consequences. Trolled brutally, the ‘passionate Tweeter’, Rishi Kapoor did quit Twitter more than once – but always returned with renewed vigor to again speak his mind.

His life has been an open book. His biography Khullam Khulla: Rishi Kapoor Uncensored (released January 15, 2017) is Rishi Kapoor and so much more.