Bollywood veteran Rishi Kapoor passes away

He was 67

Bollywood veteran Rishi Kapoor has passed away at the age of 67, less than 24 hours after acting legend Irrfan Khan breathed his last, reported Hindustan Times.

Rishi had been rushed to Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital in Mumbai in the early hours of Thursday morning, upon complaints of breathing problems. His wife, Neetu Kapoor, was with him during his final hours.

PHOTO: FILE

Amitabh Bachchan took to Twitter to share the tragic news.

"He's GONE! Rishi Kapoor gone. Just passed away. I am destroyed!," the megastar wrote.

https://twitter.com/SrBachchan/status/1255709029336322048?s=20

The Kapoor clan also released a statement after Rishi's death.

"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," the statement read.

"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," it further said.

PHOTO: HINDUSTAN TIMES

The note also added on how "he was grateful for the love of his fans that poured in from the world over."

The Kapoor family asked the fans and followers to "remember with a smile and not with tears."

The statement went on, "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."

PHOTO: FILE

Earlier, the hospitalisation was confirmed by Rishi's elder brother, actor Randhir Kapoor. "It's true that he has been admitted to the hospital. He is in Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital. He was not keeping well and had some breathing problem, so we admitted him early this morning," Randhir Kapoor said while speaking to ABP News.

Asked if it was an emergency situation, Randhir told, "That's why he has gone to the hospital. But I know that he will be alright. Neetu (Kapoor) is by his side."

The Bobby actor was also a regular on Twitter but had not tweeted since April 2.

In 2018, Rishi was diagnosed with cancer for the first time, following which he stayed under treatment in New York for nearly a year. He returned to India in September 2019 after recovering.

Rishi is survived by his son Ranbir, daughter Riddhima and widow Neetu.

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