Rishi Kapoor: The last lap of an eternal romantic

Even before Indian fans could come to terms with the loss of a favourite actor, another loved star has passed away. Rishi Kapoor, the effervescent yesteryear actor who picked up more roles with shades of grey in the latter half of his prolific career, lost his life at a Mumbai hospital on Thursday battling with cancer. Elder brother, Randhir, confirmed the news of his sad demise just a day after the tragic passing away of actor Irrfan Khan. Rishi was admitted to the RN Hospital Mumbai on Wednesday morning with breathing difficulties.

The actor, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2018 and underwent treatment for the same in New York for a year, was reportedly suffering from a relapse. Earlier this year, he was hospitalised while shooting for a movie in New Delhi and was later shifted to Mumbai. However, the actor shared a long post on Twitter mentioning he had caught an infection due to pollution in the national capital, rubbishing rumours of a cancer relapse. Wife Neetu and son Ranbir were by his side when he breathed his last on April 30.

Indian fans remember Rishi as the eternal loverboy, the charming Romeo, who was seen romancing various actresses through the 1970s and 80s and even 90s. After his memorable debut as a lead star in Bobby against Dimple Kapadia, he pulled off a string of box-office successes as a romantic lead with actresses, offering the vanilla sky to millions of fans in India. He made a smashing on-screen pair with actor Neetu who would go on to become his life partner.

When most actors would look for solemnity in their roles, Rishi — or Chintu — would light up the silver screen with his cheerful persona. His lover boy image possibly resonates with even those who grew up in the 90s and saw him romancing Sridevi and Juhi Chawla, actresses younger to him by decades. The most incredible part was he pulled it off even when younger actors were finding it difficult to get a foothold in the industry.   

Summing up Rishi, the actor, just as a lover-boy is, therefore, a gross injustice to his exceptional talent. Films like Karz, dotted with stellar songs and remembered even today, saw him graduate to a more mellowed avatar. His effortless transition from the Romeo underneath a Juliet’s balcony to an avenger bent on getting his pound of flesh for the grave injustice meted out to him by his lover in past birth was as dramatic a moment in moviegoers’ life as was for him. Over the last few years he ventured into the dark world of the anti-hero and has come back as a juggernaut of an actor who can crush the hero with his remarkable gift of acting. Agneepath remake and D-Day put up his unrepentant villainy in a grand showcase.   

That’s why Rishi’s versatility is unmissable, and his cinematic journey memorable. The actor saw himself cast as numerous solo and multi-starrer leads through three decades, beginning with Bobby in 1973 to Karobaar: The Business of Love in 2000. Most of the films revolved around the subject of love, but the supporting roles he took up in subsequent years brought alive a different actor. From comic roles in films like 102 Not Out that reunited him with Amar Akbar Anthony co-starring Amitabh Bachchan to the notorious Rauf Lala in the Agneepath remake, Rishi continued his Bollywood journey to the end of his life. Before his death, Rishi was shooting for Sharmaji Namkeen that also features his Bol Radha Bol co-star Juhi Chawla. 

A defining construct of his personality, one which is also an underrated achievement, is that he remained relevant throughout his career. He adapted and he fought well. He stayed put and flourished in a world where social media churns out overnight sensations and belches them out the next day as expendable waste.

Rishi was a live-wire even on the social media, where he interacted with fans and was undaunted by trolls whom he would administer a dose of their own medicine. He would share memes and funny posts from his official account — making it clear he was handling his own profile. “I do not think people are understanding. Any joke, barb, comment on my life style, that will make me block you. Now up to you!” his Twitter bio reads.

A statement from his family reiterated he retained his cheerful disposition until his last day. It 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.”

Indian actors and public figures mourned the loss of the two actors, who left for their heavenly abode only a day apart. Fans and public personalities felt they had both ‘gone too soon’.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “Multifaceted, endearing and lively…this was Rishi Kapoor Ji. He was a powerhouse of talent. I will always recall our interactions, even on social media. He was passionate about films and India’s progress. Anguished by his demise. Condolences to his family and fans. Om Shanti.”

Alongside a picture with Neetu and Rishi, Priyanka Chopra wrote with a heavy heart that it was the ‘end of an era.’

Sports personalities like Virat Kohli, Ravi Shastri and Waqar Younis also posted their shock and disbelief. “This is unreal and unbelievable. Yesterday Irrfan Khan and today Rishi Kapoor ji. It’s hard to accept this as a legend passes away today. My condolences to the family and may his soul rest in peace,” Virat Kohli wrote on Twitter. 

Film distributor Raj Bansal, who shared a long association with Rishi, called it a sad day. “Such a sad day. I have lost my elder brother. Devastated,” he told Writers Ball. Last year, Rishi had also written about his bond with Bansal on Twitter.

Rishi didn’t pass into afterlife. He continues his outstanding journey, perhaps to finish the last lap with another remarkable actor, Irrfan Khan, with whom he had shared the screen space. In his passing, he reminds us of the memorable lines from the film Karz: Aur thodi der me bas, hum juda ho jayenge. Aapko dhoondhenge kaise, raaste kho jayenge (We shall part, in a few moments. How will I find you on the lost roads?)

Also read: “The day Chintu was flying to NY for treatment, he said, Thakur, achchhi khabar nahin hai.”