Rishi Kapoor: The cherubic kid who enthralled a nation

Bollywood thespian Rishi Kapoor who passed away after a long battle with cancer on Thursday morning in Mumbai, had an eventful life and career.
On Wednesday night he had been admitted to H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital in Mumbai due to breathing difficulties according to his brother Randhir Kapoor.
The actor, son of the legendary Raj Kapoor, and father to Bollywood heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor, had been reportedly (the family has been tightlipped about the ailment) diagnosed with cancer in 2018 and had been undergoing treatment in New York for a while before jetting back to Mumbai, India in 2019. He is survived by wife, former actress Neetu Kapoor, son Ranbir and daughter Riddhima.
Kapoor who made his debut as a child actor in the 1970 film Mera Naam Joker, starring his father Raj Kapoor, for which he won the National Film Award, went on to play the romantic lead in many hit films in the 80s and 90s.
In 1973 when he made his debut opposite Dimple Kapadia in the iconic Bobby, he had an entire nation in his thrall with his cherubic look. From Chandni to Deewana, Nagina, Amar Akbar Anthony, Karz, Coolie, he made his presence felt large and loud in the industry.
In recent years he has proved his mettle in socially charged movies like Mulk. He even managed to stand out in a romantic comedy like Kapoor & Sons that won him a Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor. 
Kapoor was last seen in the thriller The Body, costarring Emraan Hashmi and Shobhita Dhulipala. He had been shooting for Sharmaji Namkeen with Juhi Chawla, but reportedly due to health issues, had to stop the same. He was also slated to make an appearance with Deepika Padukone in an official remake of the Hollywood film, The Intern.
The actor fondly known as Chintu, was very active on social media, till recently, and was known for his caustic tongue that didn't spare anyone, including members of the media and everyone who got into his crosshairs. 
Kapoor's death is the second tragic blow to Bollywood, which witnessed the death of another stalwart actor Irrfan Khan, on Wednesday after a  long battle with cancer.
ambica@khaleejtimes.com