Bollywood Mourns as Two Stars Died in Two Days

The last 24 hours have witnessed very painful for Bollywood. The country has lost two great actors Irfan Khan and Rishi Kapoor. Rishi Kapoor died today, while Irfan Khan died yesterday. Both had cancer and had been battling this disease for a great time.

Veteran Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor has died in hospital after a two-year fight with leukemia, his family spokesperson affirmed in a statement. He was 67.

Kapoor, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2018 and returned to India last September following treatment in New York, passed away calmly on Thursday morning. Kapoor had lately been admitted to a hospital in Mumbai, a spokesperson for Reliance Industries LTD., which is affiliated with the Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital in Mumbai affirmed.

“The doctors and medical personnel at the hospital told he kept them entertained to the last,” the statement said. “He remained jolly and determined to live to the fullest right through two years of treatment across two continents. Family, friends, food, and films endured his focus, and everyone who met him throughout this time was amazed at how he did not let his sickness get the better of him”.

Hailing from the famous Kapoor family, which has ruled Bollywood for generations, Kapoor made his introduction as a child actor in 1970. His first lead role in the 1973 romantic film “Bobby”, won him the Filmfare Award, India’s equivalent of the Oscars, for Best Actor.

Throughout his career, Kapoor appeared in more than 100 films, performing both the romantic lead and character roles. Kapoor is endured by his actress wife Neetu Singh and two children.

Kapoor’s death occurs one day after the death of fellow Bollywood actor Irfan Khan, who was recognized internationally for his roles in “Life of Pi” and “Slumdog Millionaire.” He was 53.

Khan was admitted to the hospital beginning this week due to a colon infection, according to his PR agency. In March 2018, he announced that he had been diagnosed with an uncommon neuroendocrine tumor, an unusual growth that originates in the body’s functional neuroendocrine cells, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Khan’s mother died last week, but Khan was unable to visit her last ceremonies owing to India’s ongoing nationwide coronavirus lockdown limiting citizens’ movements, the agency said.

“It’s disheartening that this day, we have to bring forth the news of him passing away,” read a statement from Khan’s PR agency, Hardly Anonymous Communications. “Irfan was a strong soul, someone who fought till the very end and constantly inspired everyone who came close to him.”

He grew to international fame when he performed a police inspector in “Slumdog Millionaire,” which won eight Academy Awards and seven BAFTA Awards. He then took on a more significant leading role in “Life of Pi,” which also won multiple Golden Globes and Academy Awards. He played supporting roles in major US films like “The Amazing Spider-Man,” “Jurassic World” and “Inferno.”