Rishi Kapoor (1952 -2020): The Bollywood Heartthrob

Rishi Kapoor (1952 – 2020)

The year 2020 has become a nightmare. As if the Pandemic was not enough, India is witnessing the loss of great actors of the Cinema. After Actor Irrfan Khan, known for his silent expressions passed away yesterday, we have lost another gem, Veteran actor Rishi Kapoor. He was battling with Leukemia since 2018 when he was first diagnosed with the disease. Following the diagnosis, he was in New York for the treatment for a year and returned to India in September 2019. On 29th April, he had breathing issues so he was admitted to Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital in Mumbai where he breathed his last.

Rishi Kapoor, the Bollywood heartthrob with a huge fan following, was loved by all. His jovial nature and lively mood always entertained people on-screen and off-screen. As today we bid adieu to our ‘Chintu’ as he was called, let’s take a look at his journey through the years.

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Rishi Kapoor’s Personal Life 

Rishi Kapoor was born on September 4, 1952, in Mumbai to Raj Kapoor and Krishna Raj Kapoor. He was the grandson of actor Prithviraj Kapoor. He did schooling from Campion School, Mumbai and later on graduated from Mayo College, Ajmer. He met Neetu Singh during the shoot of one of his films and later married her on January 22, 1980. They have two children- actor Ranbir Kapoor and designer Riddhima Kapoor Sahani.

Career

Rishi Kapoor made his debut from his father’s movie ”Mera Naam Joker” in 1970 where he played the childhood of Raj Kapoor. For his debut film, he also received the National Film Award. After starring as a kid, his first leading role was in the 1973 film, “Bobby” opposite Dimple Kapadia. The film became one of the decade’s biggest hits. Rishi Kapoor said in an interview in 2012, “There was a misconception that the film was made to launch me as an actor. The film was actually made to pay the debts of Mera Naam Joker. Dad wanted to make a teenage love story and he did not have money to cast Rajesh Khanna in the film”.

After “Bobby”, he went on to star as a romantic lead in 92 films between 1973 and 2000. Some of the popular films include Khel Khel Mein (1975), Kabhi Kabhie (1976), Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), Karz (1980), and Chandni (1989) etc.

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Illness

In 2018, Rishi Kapoor was diagnosed with Leukemia which is a blood cancer that begins with bone marrow. He further went to New York for the treatment of cancer. He came back after a year in September 2019. On 29th April, he was having breathing issues as reported by the family and hence, rushed to Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital in Mumbai. He died on April 30, early morning. Here is a note by the Family of Rishi Kapoor provided to the media after his death.

Awards

• 1970- National Film Award for the movie “Mera Naam Joker”
• 1974 – Filmfare Award for Best Actor “Bobby”
• 2008 – Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award
• 2009 – Honoured by the Russian Government for contribution to cinema
• 2011 – Zee Cine Awards: Best Lifetime Jodi along with Neetu Singh
• 2011 – Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor for Do Dooni Chaar
• 2016 – Screen Lifetime Achievement Award
• 2017 – Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for Kapoor & Sons
• 2017 – Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Male for Kapoor & Sons
• 2017 – Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Comic Role for Kapoor & Sons

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