Veteran Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor passed away at 8:45 AM in the morning in Mumbai. The 67-year-old actor had been battling Leukemia for the past two years. The actor spent most of his last year battling cancer in New York. Only yesterday, Rishi Kapoor’s brother Randhir Kapoor had spoken to the press when the former was rushed to the hospital. “He is in the hospital. He is suffering from cancer and he has some breathing problem, so he has been admitted to the hospital. He is stable now,” stated Randhir.

However, this morning, Rishi’s family released a statement confirming the actor’s death. “

Our dear Rishi Kapoor passed away peacefully at 8:45 am IST in hospital today after a two-year battle with leukemia. 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.

He was grateful for the love of his fans that poured in from the world over. In his passing, they would all understand that he would like to be remembered with a smile and not with tears.

In this hour of personal loss, we also recognise the world is going through a very difficult and troubled time. There are numerous restrictions around movement and gathering in public. We would like to request all his fans and well-wishers and friends of the family to please respect the laws that are in force. He would not have it any other way.”

Celebrities from the Bollywood film industry poured in their condolences on social media and shared their fond memories with the actor. It was only yesterday that we lost an actor like Irrfan Khan and Rishi Kapoor’s death today is truly more heartbreaking.

Deepest condolences to the actor’s family!