Krishna Raj Kapoor died following a cardiac arrest early on Monday
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; October 2, 2018)

Krishna Raj Kapoor, wife of the legendary actor-filmmaker Raj Kapoor, and the First Lady and matriarch of Bollywood royalty — The Kapoors — passed away on Monday. She was 88 and died of cardiac arrest. Her eldest son Randhir Kapoor told BT, “My mother passed away around 5 am today (Monday) due to cardiac arrest. Old age was another factor. We are deeply saddened by her demise.”

She breathed her last in a south Mumbai hospital and was taken to Randhir Kapoor’s Chembur residence, where family and friends paid their last respects to her. The last rites were performed at a Chembur crematorium around 5.30 pm. Tragically, Rishi Kapoor, who recently left for the US for a medical treatment, couldn’t be part of his mother’s final journey. A family member said, “He only reached the US on Monday morning. How can he get back by evening? It’s not possible.”

Recalling their Paris vacation in July this year, Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, daughter of Rishi and Neetu Kapoor, told BT, “Our last holiday with daadi (Krishna ji) was most memorable and she did whatever was on her wish list. We made sure that she had a great time. We will miss her a lot.”

Neetu Kapoor, too, lauded the spirit of her mother-in-law, who was elegance personified. Sharing her picture in an Instagram post a while ago, Neetu wrote, “She’s the one who teaches you the way to live. Age does not stop her from doing anything.”

People from the fraternity gathered at the Kapoors’ residence in Chembur on Monday to pay their last respect and offer condolences to the family.

Karan Johar wrote a touching tribute for her on Instagram. He said, “If there is an embodiment of grace, elegance, dignity and strength, it’s Krishna aunty. She will always be the kindest, warmest and most generous soul I have ever known.”