Bollywood star Rishi Kapoor dies in Mumbai at 67 after two-year battle with leukemia

Bollywood star Rishi Kapoor has died in Mumbai after a two-year battle with leukemia. He was 67. 

His death, confirmed by is brother Randhir, comes just hours after the passing of another Indian star Irrfan Khan at age 54, dealing a double blow to the Bollywood film industry.

Rishi had been diagnosed with cancer in 2018 and had received treatment in New York last year before returning to Mumbai. 

Bollywood star Rishi Kapoor, pictured in April 2018, has died in Mumbai after a two-year battle with leukemia. He was 67

His family said in a statement: ‘He remained jovial and determined to live to the fullest right through two years of treatment across two continents.’

He is survived by his wife Neetu, an actress with whom he starred in 12 films, and children Riddhima and Ranbirand.

Rishi was a member of the famed Kapoor acting dynasty and was at the pinnacle of his career in the 1970s and 80s. 

Rishi was a member of the famed Kapoor acting dynasty and was at the pinnacle of his career in the 1970s and 80s. He’s pictured in the 1976 film Kabhia Kabbie with actress Neetu Singh whom he married in 1980

Rishi is survived by Neetu and their two children. The couple are pictured in Mumbai in December 2019

Indian actress Priyanka Chopra, whose career was forged in Bollywood, tweeted a tribute to the actor. 

She wrote: ‘My heart is so heavy. This is the end of an era. #Rishisir your candid heart and immeasurable talent will never be encountered again. Such a privilege to have known you even a little bit.’

She added: ‘My condolences to Neetu maam, Ridhima, Ranbir and the rest of the family. Rest in peace Sir.’

Indian actress Priyanka Chopra tweeted a tribute to the actor alongside a photo showing her with Rishi and Neetu

As The Hollywood Reporter recounts, Rishi made his film debut as a child actor in his father Raj Kapoor’s films starting with 1955’s Shree 420 followed by a notable turn in Mera Naam Joker in 1970. 

His big break as a leading man came in 1973 in the blockbuster Bobby, directed by his father, and he quickly became one of India’s biggest film stars over the next two decades. 

His grandfather, brothers and uncles were all actors too.

His last onscreen appearance was in 2019’s The Body, an official remake of Spanish film El Cuerpo while Kapoor was in the midst of filming Sharmajee Namkeen.

India is currently in lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Kapoor family is urging fans not to gather together publicly to mourn his loss. 

India is currently in lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Kapoor family is urging fans not to gather together publicly to mourn the star’s loss. He’s pictured in Amritsar in 2016