Legendary Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor, 67, dies in Mumbai

Veteran actor Rishi Kapoor has passed away in Mumbai at the age of 67, after being hospitalised at Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital on Wednesday morning. Brother and veteran actor Randhir Kapoor had stated at the time, "He is in the hospital. He is suffering from cancer and he has some breathing problem, so he has been admitted to the hospital. He is stable now.”

In a new statement, the family shared, "Our dear Rishi Kapoor passed away peacefully at 8.45 am 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 actor is survived by wife Neetu Kapoor, son Ranbir Kapoor and daughter Riddhima Kapoor Sahni.

Kapoor was diagnosed with cancer in 2018, and had undergone extensive treatment in New York for a year before returning to Mumbai in September 2019. Upon his return, he resumed filming for an upcoming project with Juhi Chawla called Sharmaji Namkeen, but was taken to the hospital twice in February, and the shoot schedule was eventually cancelled. Kapoor’s prolific work in Indian cinema has made him the recipient of multiple accolades, including a National Film Award for his debut as a child artist in Mera Naam Joker (1970). The star is best remembered for his roles in Bobby (1973), Karz (1980), Amar Akbar Anthony (1977) and more recently, Kapoor & Sons (2016). He was also scheduled to star in the Bollywood adaptation of The Intern along with Deepika Padukone.

Upon hearing the news of his death, condolences and tributes have already begun to pour in from long-time friends and contemporaries in the industry, including Karan Johar, Priyanka Chopra, Akshay Kumar, and family members including nieces Karisma Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor Khan.