Bollywood star Rishi Kapoor has died of leukaemia at the age of 67.
The Indian actor’s family announced that he had died in a Mumbai hospital on Thursday.
He was part of the Kapoor acting dynasty, with his father Raj and grandfather Prithviraj regarded as Bollywood greats, while his wife Nitu Singh co-starred in several of his films, and his son Ranbir is also an actor in the industry.
Announcing Rishi’s death, the family said in a statement that he had kept hospital staff “entertained to the last.”
“He remained jovial and determined to live to the fullest right through two years of treatment across two continents,” they said. “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.
“He was grateful for the love of his fans that poured in from the world over. In his passing, they would all understand that he would like to be remembered with a smile and not with tears.”
They also urged fans not to gather together to mourn Rishi, asking them to observe restrictions around movement amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“He would not have it any other way,” they added.
Rishi had returned to India last September after undergoing treatment in the US for almost a year, and was admitted to hospital twice in February.
He received the National Film Award for his debut role as a child artist in his father’s 1970 film Mera Naam Joker and went on to act in more than 90 films.
Rishi’s biggest hits included Laila Majnu, a story of legendary Indian lovers, Debt, Moonlight, Sometimes, Sea and Lightning. In 1999, he directed Let’s Go Back.
He switched to supporting roles in the 2000s and popular movies included Namastey London and Love Aj Kal, or Love Today And Tomorrow. He acted until recently and his last movie, The Body, was released in 2019.
Rishi’s death was announced the day after fellow Bollywood star Irrfan Khan, star of Slumdog Millionaire, died at the age of 53.
Priyanka Chopra was among the first to pay tribute to Rishi, describing his death as the end of an era, adding: “#Rishisir your candid heart and immeasurable talent will never be encountered again.”
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi said Rishi was a powerhouse of talent: “I will always recall our interactions, even on social media. He was passionate about films and India’s progress.”
Rishi is survived by his wife, son and daughter.
