Rakesh Roshan (THE TIMES OF INDIA; May 1, 2020)

It’s a sad day today. I’ve lost a very dear friend. I had dinner with him on March 18, a few days before the Coronavirus lockdown. We both got cancer around the same time—he was diagnosed in August and I in December. He was vibrant when I met him last. He spoke about having gone to Delhi the previous month and how the pollution there had probably caused a relapse but he insisted he was fine. Two weeks later he was hospitalised.

We go back a long way. We got close during the making of Khel Khel M0ein (1975). We went on so many holidays abroad together as couples—he, Neetu and their children (Riddhima and Ranbir) and me with my wife (Pinky) and kids (Hrithik and Sunaina). We did many films together as co-actors and later, he made a special appearance in a song in my first directorial venture and featured in Aap Ke Deewane, the first film I produced.

He was very frank but never cunning or manipulative. He was a rakhi brother to my wife and when he was in New York for his treatment, he called to tell us that he had tied a rakhi on his own hand, on her behalf. That’s how sensitive he really was.

As told to Mohua Das
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BOMBAY TIMES (May 1, 2020)

I met Chintu just about a month ago and we had drinks together, reliving our old times. That was the last time I saw him and now, I will never get to see my friend. It’s an irreparable loss. He’s left a vacuum that Can never be filled. Waking up to the news of Chintu’s demise has shaken me up completely
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As told to Upala KBR (MID-DAY; May 1, 2020)

Our friendship lasted 45 years because we were similar in nature — we loved food and drinks, and were brimming with optimism. We grew close during the making of Khel Khel Mein (1975).

Eventually, Jeetendra joined us, and we three became inseparable. We would meet every day after our respective shoots.

Chintu and I did several movies together — Jhoota Kahin Ka (1979), Khel Khel Mein and Aap Ke Deewane (1980), among others. He would never prepare for his shots, and yet, when the camera rolled, he came alive! He was so spontaneous and natural. When we were shooting for Aap Ke Deewane, I asked him how he shone in each take without having prepped for it. With a smile, he said, 'Aise hi yaar, main camera ke saamne bas masti karta hoon…' He was such an integral part of my life that I couldn't imagine my first directorial venture without him. So, I requested Chintu to do a cameo in Khudgarz (1987).

[In 2018], our cancer diagnosis came months apart — his in August, and mine in December. But we both fought with a smile on our face. He was always brave and full of life. When I met him in March before the lockdown, Chintu, Neetu and I reminisced about our good old days.

I spoke to Neetu earlier this week when I learnt he was hospitalised and prayed for his speedy recovery. I woke up this morning to a message from a friend, asking if Rishi Kapoor was all right. When I called Dabboo [Randhir Kapoor], his number was busy. That's when my heart sank and I instinctively knew something was wrong. Then I rang up Ranbir who shared the news. It was so shocking that I started crying on the phone. Instead of me consoling him, Ranbir comforted me. He has been a pillar of strength to his father.

The legendary actor breathed his last in a Mumbai hospital yesterday, after battling leukemia for two years
Madhureeta Mukherjee and Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; May 1, 2020)

Rishi Kapoor was the ultimate loverboy of the 70s and 80s, with his good looks, incredible charm, superb talent, and of course, the enviable touch of the mighty Kapoor lineage. And those traits never lost colour, even to the last day.

In the last decade, we witnessed a new avatar of the actor — Rishi Kapoor reloaded. He was basking in a variety of roles like we’d never seen him in before. The actor, with his trademark candour, had said, “The first 25 years, I was only singing songs and serenading the heroine; enough of playing a loverboy. The roles that I am doing currently are challenging and tough, but that’s the beauty of it, as I have never done this in my life. I feel like I am internally and externally all charged up.”

And we were all charged up, too, to see more of that brilliance on screen, after he returned from New York, where he underwent treatment for leukemia for a year, but life had other plans. After a tough two-year battle, Rishi Kapoor breathed his last yesterday, in Mumbai.

‘Son of a famous father, father of a famous son’, Rishi Kapoor’s previous Twitter bio was testament to his candour and wit. Fearless and brutally honest, he didn’t hold back from expressing what he truly believed in. For those who didn’t understand, he explained, “I am honest and blunt, and I believe that a fact is a fact. If something has to be said, I will go ahead and say it.” For the rest, they knew he was all heart, and they loved him for it.

In his last interview with Bombay Times, in July 2019, where he spoke from New York, he got emotional as he reflected on his life and said, “God has taught me that patience is the mother of all virtues. Life teaches you to slow down sometimes. In 45 years of my film career, I have never taken such a long break. It makes me think that sometimes, God takes the decisions for you that you don’t. God has been kind. Forget about me, it has been really tough for Neetu. Times like these remind you what human values are. I received tremendous support from those close to me. In the time of crisis when they come to your aid, you realise what relationships truly mean.”

Back then, the powerhouse performer was looking forward to returning in front of the camera as soon as he could. “I have never stayed away from the camera for such a long time in my life. This has never happened in the last 45 years, except for the time that I directed Aa Ab Laut Chalen (1999), which was also shot in New York. You want to go back to your home, your bed, your home-cooked meal and workplace. I can’t wait to face the camera again; I hope I haven’t lost my touch. I hope I am still an actor,” he expressed. You’ll always be an actor, Rishi Kapoor. And one of our finest at that. Months after he returned from NY, he did go back on set, however, briefly. His last film released was The Body (2019) and he almost completed shooting for Sharmaji Namkeen, a film which marked his reunion with Juhi Chawla after a decade.

Rishi Kapoor was cremated in Mumbai around 4 pm yesterday. Only family and close friends could attend it due to the nationwide lockdown. While Neetu and son Ranbir along with Alia Bhatt, Kunal Kapoor, Anil Ambani and Abhishek Bachchan were present, Rishi’s daughter Riddhima wasn’t able to reach in time for the final rites, but she will be in Mumbai soon.

Avijit Ghosh (THE TIMES OF INDIA; May 1, 2020)

Rishi Kapoor, who stormed into young hearts and stardom with the bubblegum blockbuster Bobby (1973), and who reinvented himself in the new millennium, deftly navigating fluctuating popular trends and fickle public taste, passed away in a Mumbai hospital on Thursday.

The actor, who was batting leukemia, was 67. “He remained jovial and determined to live to the fullest right through two years of treatment across two continents,” his family said in a statement.

Rishi, the second son of Indian cinema’s legendary showman Raj Kapoor, arrived at a time when Rajesh Khanna’s reign of romance was fast on the fade. Amitabh Bachchan and action were the new box-office currency. With his chocolate looks and red lips, he appeared to be on the wrong side of vogue. But Rishi didn’t fight the tide; rather he found ways to survive and thrive.

In a career spanning nearly five decades, he starred in over 150 films, forming a trendy romantic pair with Neetu Singh, who later became his wife. He was also part of many hits with Bachchan.
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MUMBAI MIRROR (September 6, 2019)

Mirror had earlier reported (July 17) that Rishi Kapoor, who has been in New York since last year for treatment, is gearing up to return to India and resume work soon. “The moment I get back, I will take 15 days off to connect with my roots, get over the jet lag and by the end of September, I will start shooting,” the actor, who had gone to New York for cancer treatment last year, had said.

Earlier this week, a picture of him with actress-wife Neetu at an airport triggered speculation that he is on his way back. While his elder brother Randhir denied the rumours, saying, “Rishi is still in New York. He’s coming next week.” According to an industry source, Rishi will touch down in Mumbai on September 10.

The actor had a couple of films lined up when he left for treatment on September 30 last year. While in recovery following the treatment, he dubbed for Jhootha Kahin Ka in New York and the comedy, also featuring Jimmy Sheirgill, Sunny Singh and Omkar Kapoor, released on July 19. The actor also intended to dub for another film, The Body, while in the Big Apple but the makers reportedly insisted that he do it after his return to Mumbai.

While the makers of the thriller were unavailable for comment, a well-placed industry source informed, “Right now, everyone is waiting for Rishi ji to return and get used to the time zone and his routine here. After that, whenever he decides to resume work, whether this month-end or early October, the makers will work out schedules accordingly.”

Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; July 19, 2019)

After a forced break of almost a year because of health reasons, Rishi Kapoor, who is much better now, hopes to return to Mumbai soon and most importantly, back to facing the camera. In a lengthy telephonic conversation from New York, the actor recounts his battle with cancer, what it taught him, what lies ahead and his thoughts on his film Jhootha Kahin Ka (JKK), directed by Smeep Kang. Excerpts...

You have been away for almost a year now. It was a challenging period for you. What did this phase of life teach you?
The most important thing that these past nine months taught me, apart from the fact that I had to recover from a disease, is patience. I never had that before. God has taught me that patience is the mother of all virtues. My (medical) treatment is hardly for an hour once in four weeks, but it takes long for it to work on you. It’s not a push-button thing that you do it once, and then you will be alright. My wife and friends keep telling me that I was a very impatient person all the time... my work style, my way of life... The fact is, you have to be patient and let things take its own course. I have been going through this ordeal of being a patient and it’s interesting how it (the word patient) taught me patience. You can’t always be wanting to do things immediately.

Your mother Krishna Raj Kapoor passed away right after you left for the US. You couldn’t be here for her funeral. That must have been traumatic...
That was very unfortunate. I left for the US on September 29, and my mother passed away on October 1. She knew that I had contracted a serious disorder. That entire period was traumatic for me. I was caught up with my problem. I didn’t know what to do, and I didn’t have an option because I had to be here in New York. My brother told me that by the time I would get back, it would be too late. Also, I didn’t have the stamina or strength to come back.

Did all these months away from home give you time to reflect on life? We often tend to get caught up in the chaos of life and forget to reflect on what really matters...
My work was such that I couldn’t afford to be patient. I had to be active all the time. Life teaches you to slow down sometimes. Anupam Kher told me that I needed this break, but of course, not in this manner. I don’t want a break when I am undergoing a treatment. People may wonder what I am doing in America for so long. I move around, eat, drink, shop and watch films. I can’t come home because I am bound by the hospital — I am under treatment and under observation. For me, this has taken great patience, else I would have left this place and come back to Mumbai a long time ago. The treatment requires you to behave a certain way. From one treatment to another, it takes weeks. That’s why I have been here for nine-and-a-half months. I am hoping to come back by the end of August. I have seen all four seasons of this city (New York). I came here in September last year, which was autumn. I went through winter, spring and now, it is summer.

That feels like a long time indeed...
In 45 years of my career, I have never taken such a long break. It makes me think that sometimes, God takes the decisions for you that you don’t. I haven’t boarded a flight for the past nine-and-a-half months. I haven’t stepped out of NYC. I am planning to go to the Hamptons tomorrow, it’s about three hours’ drive from here. For the first time in nine months, I’ll be taking a break and going to the beach. Thankfully my children, friends, family and well-wishers are with me.

During this period, many of your friends from the industry visited you in New York. Were they a huge support system?
I don’t know what it is. I sometimes feel that it’s my goodwill, I must have done something right. Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan visited me twice. I have had a string of visitors, not just film actors, but people from other walks of life, too. I get supportive messages from people. I am indebted to them for their love and blessings. There’s so much closeness, love and respect.

People keep asking about the progress on your health out of concern. But sometimes, does it get too overbearing to keep responding to these queries?
I got into little arguments with my brothers who would call and ask me, ‘How are you, yaar?’ I would reply, ‘What is wrong with me? I am well, yaar. I am alright. Why do you keep asking me that question?’ It would make them wonder how to make a conversation with me on the phone. They would say, ‘We can’t say hello, and then ask what is happening. We need to ask you how you are’. I got the feeling that people think I am really unwell. Yes, I have a disorder, which I am getting treated. By God’s grace, it was detected early and it is under scrutiny and is being repaired. Hopefully, it is being put in order, but I was conscious about people calling and asking, ‘How are you now?’ The ‘now’ made me wonder, why would they keep asking me that? In retrospect, I feel it was silly of me to feel that way, but everybody keeps asking you the same question and it gets annoying to the point that you wonder if something is really wrong with you (laughs!).

To accept that you have been diagnosed with cancer... what gave you courage at that point?
There was no time to react. I was shooting in Delhi. I was on the sixth day shoot of a new film, when my son (Ranbir) and a close family associate came to Delhi, spoke to my producers and explained the problem. By evening, they got me to Mumbai and soon after, they flew me to New York. I had no time to react or introspect. My son literally forced me into the aircraft and flew here with me. The acceptance comes gradually.

Is there anything you would like to tell those who are in a similar situation as you?
Everything is possible today. Don’t lose hope or heart. It’s amazing how advanced medical science is today. I would also like to add that I am not discounting the fact every treatment is possible in India. I was sent here because the oncologists in India said that I must immediately go to Sloan (the medical centre in New York). They wanted me to come here. We also have the best doctors and hospitals in our country. I want people to know this. They don’t have to follow what I did. My dear friend Rakesh Roshan also had a minor hiccup, but he got himself treated in India. He is absolutely fine now. You don’t have to leave your country and come here for treatment.

Irrespective of age, children become a huge support system for their parents when they are going through a battle of this kind. They suddenly become mature and strong, often beyond their years. Did you see that change in Ranbir and Riddhima as well?
They have been very supportive. Ranbir keeps coming here every five-six weeks. He has been here four-five times at least. Whenever he gets time off from his work, he comes here. My daughter and grand-daughter (Samara) just left this morning. Have they changed? Not really. Of course, they are concerned. I am their father. But not just my children, my entire family has been there for me. Neetu (wife) has been my greatest support. She stood by me through thick and thin. Even my siblings especially my elder sister (Ritu Nanda) and my niece (Natasha) — who are also in New York have been there for me. My sister has also gone through a similar situation, and she was here for eight months as well. They were a great source of help and my anchor, as they had gone through the whole process, so it made it easier for me to accept and understand. Of course, earlier when I came here, it was tough as I was in the hospital for the first three-and-a-half months. I had lost my appetite. I had to undergo blood transfusion for the first few months. It has stopped now, but that really worried me. God has been kind. Forget about me, it was really tough for Neetu. Times like these remind you what human values are. I received tremendous support from those close to me. In the time of crisis when they come to your aid, you realise what relationships truly mean.

You are yearning to get back to work and face the camera. While that will happen soon, your film Jhootha Kahin Ka, releases tomorrow. Talking about your movie must feel like a welcome change...
Unfortunately, some work on this film and some dubbing on another film was left incomplete. I thank the producers as none of them even brought it up. I am guilty of the fact that I had to leave in such a situation. I cannot thank them enough for not complaining one bit about anything. When I started recovering a few months back and feeling better, I told them that I cannot come back to India, but they could come here and finish the dubbing or whatever is left. So, that is what they did. My director Smeep Kang (right) came here and that’s how we completed the film and it’s releasing now. There’s another film that I am yet to dub for. They said we will hold the film for you. They have shown great solidarity. This really touched my heart.

What drew you to Jhootha Kahin Ka? The title, I am sure, is close to your heart because you did a film of the same name in 1979, opposite Neetu Singh...
I think I haven’t really done justice to the comic genre before. I did semi-comic films in the romantic period of my life like Rafoo Chakkar, but I have predominantly always been in dramas and situational comedies, not out-and-out comedies. I have tried my hand at it with this film and I don’t know if people will accept it. Let’s see how that goes with the audience. I would like my fans to see if it for sure. I did the same kind of film, with the same title, with Neetu 40 years back. I got engaged on April 13, 1979 and that is the day when JKK released as well.

Isn’t the thought of getting back to work after so long both exciting and unnerving?
It’s an overwhelming situation. Most people are calling my son to ask him if I could work in their films, but right now, I can’t commit to anything as I don’t know when I am coming back. I want to do films at leisure. Not that anything is wrong with me or anything has changed. I am the same person, I have the same vigour. It is just that I need to come back and first get into the groove. I have been out of touch with films for a long time. I have had a couple of blood transfusions, so I keep joking with my wife that my blood has been changed. I keep wondering if something has changed in me. I will definitely do the two films that I have committed to. One, that I left off in Delhi and the other is a remake of a huge Bengali hit film. It’s a challenging role. The makers had come to see me here. I haven’t said yes to anyone else yet. Once I get to know my plans and I get back to Mumbai, I want to relax for some days. Maybe, I have forgotten acting! I have never stayed away from the camera for such a long time in my life. This has never happened in the last 45 years, except for the time that I directed Aa Ab Laut Chalen (1999), which was also shot in New York. That was the year when I did not face the camera. The coincidence is eerie. It felt like deja vu. After giving a year to that film, I immediately did character roles in films like Raju Chacha (2000) and Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi (2001).

Like the title of the film you directed (Aa Ab Laut Chalen), it seems that you are yearning to come home too...
You want to go back to your home, your bed, your home cooked meal and work place. I can’t wait to face the camera again, I hope I haven’t lost my touch. I hope I am still an actor. I will be coming back to India after a year of not working in films.

Jhootha Kahin Ka, produced by Deepak Mukut and Anuj Sharma, under the banner of Shantketan Entertainments, and presented by Soham Rockstar Entertainment, releases on July 19.

Rishi Kapoor opens up on his battle with the Big C, informs that he has one treatment left after which he will be able to plan his return, reveals he has given his nod to a film and is set to get back in action
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 17, 2019)

It’s around 9:30 am in New York. In response to our text message, Rishi Kapoor asks for a few minutes to finish his breakfast before he gets on the call to talk at length and put all speculations about his health and a forthcoming film to rest. Excerpts from an interview:

There’s been plenty of speculation about your health. Can you tell us how you have been doing?
On the subject of my health, thanks to the prayers and good wishes of my family, friends and fans, I am perfect now. The cancer is in remission, but I am still under treatment. I have a crucial meeting with the doctors today at 10.45 am, there’s one treatment still left to be done. The problem is not the treatment but the reaction time. There is a six-week gap between one treatment and the next when all you can do is eat, shop, watch movies, live a normal life which I would rather do at home than here in New York. It’s been nine months and 16 days—I know since I have been counting the days—that I have been away. I really miss home.

When can we expect to see you back?
I have to be here for 11 months, so I will not be back before the end of August. It’s been a difficult time, very taxing, but Neetu (wife), and my children (Ranbir and Riddhima) have been very supportive. I am grateful to everyone. I am waiting to come back and raring to get going. I will plan my return five-six weeks after my last treatment. It is called consolidation or pushback, whereby I will have to undergo chemotherapy to ensure that the ailment does not return. This is the second time I am going through the treatment. I am hoping that I can plan an end-August return but all this talk that I will be back in early September for my birthday, is again nothing but speculation.

Despite the difficult times, in all the pictures that Neetu ji has been posting over the months, you have always had a smile and a look of serenity on your face. Has battling the Big C changed your perspective towards life?
Not really, it’s because of the love of those who have dropped by to visit me here. I feel so overjoyed… so wanted… that people have come all the way to New York to show their warmth and express concern over my health. I can now reassure everyone that the cancer is in remission, I just need a few more weeks before I return home. Once in a year or a year-and-a-half I have to come back for check-ups. When I first came here, everyone was worried for me. The problem was detected when I was shooting in Delhi and was required to dye my hair white. I was told to immediately rush to the Sloan Kettering Hospital. I came here with my hair still dyed white. When word got around that Rishi Kapoor had gone to New York for some kind of medical examination, rumour spread that I was so unwell that my hair had turned white overnight. To counter this, whenever friends of mine came to see me, they posted pictures so people could see what Rishi Kapoor really looked like. Thankfully, my health started improving, week after week, month after month. I had lost 26 kg as I had no appetite for the first four months. Now, I’ve gained seven-eight kg. I don’t want to look too lean, but I haven’t gone back to my original self either. Thank God for that.

Would you want to reveal what kind of cancer you are battling?
We will talk about the disease later, let’s not get into that now. Let’s talk about my films now.

Yes, you have Jhootha Kahin Ka coming up, it must bring back memories considering Neetu ji and you have worked on a film with the same title 40 years ago. Besides the nostalgia attached to it, what drew you to the script and what do you remember from the earlier film?
The first film was in 1979, I remember we got engaged on the day of the film’s premiere in Delhi on the eve of its release. Forty years later, I am working in another Jhootha Kahin Ka in which while I am not the lead actor, I play an important role. I was very happy to work with director Smeep Kang and producer Deepak Mukut on this comedy. It was a genre I had not done and I find these youthful parodies funny and quite enjoyed myself doing this one. We shot the film extensively in Mauritius and some portions in Mumbai. Unfortunately, my illness took me away otherwise it would have released earlier. They came to New York to do a part of the dubbing. One more film, The Body, is also waiting for me to return and finish it. Perhaps I might dub that here.

There have been reports in the press that you are not happy with the producers of Jhootha Kahin Ka for suddenly deciding to release it this Friday?
Yes, I have been seeing these reports on Twitter and I am very upset with all this nonsense being written. In the last 10 months, I have not spoken to anyone from the media, though they have always supported me. I agree with Kangana Ranaut that some people write anything and as a result, serious journalists get drawn into the controversy. When did I say I was upset? I have not been in the country for months. This is not done, it tarnishes the credibility of other journalists who write and report well. Though I do not entirely agree with what Kangana said, on this point anyone can get upset.

You have worked in as many as five comedies in the last few years, including Patel Ki Punjabi Shaadi, Wedding Pullav, 102 Not Out, Rajma Chawal and Jhootha Kahin Ka, you really like the genre. Most actors say that it’s easy to make a person cry but really difficult to make them laugh. Would you agree?
Let me put it this way, all my life I have been singing songs, romancing, doing drama. I never really did comedy, barring Rafoo Chakkar and Jhootha Kahin Ka. Aamir Khan’s Ghajini borrowed the entire romantic track in the first half from Neetu and my earlier film. Everything, including the dialogue. I have not really experimented with this genre, perhaps because people didn’t think comedy was my forte. I don’t think even 102 Not Out was a comedy, it had comic moments but was not a comic film. I don’t think I have a good comedy in my repertoire, only serious films even in character roles. So, I really hope the audience like this attempt at making them laugh.

When you get back to India, will we see you jump back to action or would you want to take it slow now?
I am raring to get back to work. I have a film commitment which I will resume. Then, I have another film a director and producer came to meet me for. I can’t get into details right now as we still have to sort out a few things but verbally I have given them a “yes”. The moment I get back, I will take 15 days off to connect with my roots, get over the jet lag, get into IST and hopefully by the end of September I will start shooting.

This time away from home must have really brought the family together?
Yes, all my siblings, my children and Neetu in particular, who has been like a solid rock, have been around me, supporting me through all this. Right now, my daughter and grand-daughter are with me. Ranbir keeps coming every five-six weeks. I am overjoyed by all the love and concern, the solidarity of my family. Here I have to make a special mention of my niece Natasha and my elder sister Ritu Nanda who is also here for the same reason. They were our anchors who kept Neetu and me going. When your anxiety is so high you need this kind of support and such motivational people around.


With Ranbir and Neetu in New York (above); With wife Neetu, sisters Rima Jain, Ritu Nanda and niece Natasha (above; right)