Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor, famed for his romantic roles, has died of cancer aged 67.
He was part of the Kapoor acting dynasty which has long dominated Bollywood, the Hindi film industry.
The actor made a huge splash in 1973 with his first lead role in Bobby – a teenage love story.
He played the romantic lead in dozens of films for over two decades, after which he made a successful transition to character roles.
Rishi Kapoor debuted as a child actor in 1970 in his father Raj Kapoor’s film, Mera Naam Joker.
Several of his films in the 1980s and 90s – Khel Khel Mein, Karz and Chandni – became massive box-office hits.
His death comes a day after the passing away of Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan.
Kapoor was diagnosed with cancer in 2018 and returned to India last September after a year-long treatment in New York.
He was taken to hospital on Wednesday morning after he complained of breathing difficulties, his brother Randhir Kapoor told Press Trust of India.
The actor’s family confirmed his death in a message saying he passed away peacefully after a two-year battle with leukaemia.
“The doctors and medical staff at the hospital said he kept them entertained to the last. He remained jovial and determined to live to the fullest right through two years of treatment across two continents. Family, friends, food and films remained his focus and everyone who met him during this time was amazed at how he did not let his illness get the better of him.
Meanwhile, tributes have been pouring in for Kapoor from his fellow Bollywood actors and politicians on social media.
(Inputs From BBC)
