Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor’s friendship dates back to the 1970s. The demise of Chintu ji left Big B destroyed as he penned down a blog to express his grief. Details inside!
We go crazy when our best friend does not reply to us or pick our calls or meet us. We go crazier when our best friend starts to hang out with other people more than us. It is all because of the eternal love we share for that person. They parting ways from us always make us feel terrible. After all, best friends are the ones that make our life worth living with all their anecdotes and all the crazy moments you have lived together. Imagine, not meeting or talking with your best friend for a while makes your heartache, what about those, who have to surrender their best friend because of fate? Something similar is the case with legendary actor, Amitabh Bachchan, who is ‘destroyed’ with his best friend, Rishi Kapoor’s demise. (Also Read: Alia Bhatt Pens A Note For 'Father' Rishi Kapoor And Describes Her Last Two Years Spent With Him)
Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor’s friendship dates back to the 1970s when the two had worked together for the first time in Amar Akbar Anthony, and it was after a wait of 26 years that the two had shared screen space again in the film, 102 Not Out, but who knew that will be their last film together. On April 30, 2020, Rishi ji took his last breath as he started his journey towards heaven. The official statement from the Kapoor family confirmed the demise of Bobby actor, “Our dear Rishi Kapoor passed away peacefully at 8:45am IST in hospital today after a two-year battle with leukemia.” His best friend, Amitabh Bachchan was amongst the first few people to express his grief. Tweeting about the same, he had written, “He's GONE .. ! Rishi Kapoor .. gone .. just passed away .. I am destroyed !”
However, a single tweet could never suffice for the pain that the best friend was feeling on the demise of his other half. Big B, who could not attend the last rites of Chintu ji, penned a heartfelt blog remembering the life of Rishi ji from his childhood to his diagnosis. Recalling the time when Big B first met him at his home, Deonar Cottage in Chembur, he wrote, “a young energetic, bubbly , mischief in his eyes Chintu , on those rare moments when I was privileged to have been invited to an evening at Raj ji’s house.”
Reminiscing Rishi sir’s preparations for his debut movie, Bobby, he wrote, “I would see him more often after, at RK Studios, when he trained as an actor for his film to be made, BOBBY .. a diligent enthusiastic youngster, ready to pounce onto every learning that came his way, in that famous large and legendary make up room, of Raj ji at the end of the first floor corridor of make up rooms ..He had a walk that was confident and determined .. a stride and style that was similar to that of his grandfather, the legendary Prithvi Raj ji .. a walk I had noticed in one of his earlier films .. that walk .. I never found it in any other.”
Talking about how great and genuine an actor Rishi sir was, Big B shared, “When he spoke his lines, you believed every word of it .. there was never an alternative .. its genuineness was beyond question .. And there has never been any other, that could lip sync a song as perfectly as he would .. never.” (Recommended Read: Rishi Kapoor And Irrfan Khan's Date Of Birth Have An Uncanny Connection To The Year 2020, Find Out)
Amitabh Bachchan also mentioned Rishi ji's fun-loving nature and the way he used to spend time in between shots. “His playful attitude on set was infectious .. even in the most grave sequences he would discover that comedic spark and we would all just crack up .. !! Not just on set .. if you were with him at any formal event , he would find that little distractive light hearted gem to expand on and lighten the situation.” He added, “When there was a time lapse as the shot got readied during a shoot , he would bring out his playing cards , or at times pull out his rather complicated Bagatelle board and invite others to play .. a competition .. not just for fun .. a serious competition.”
Talking about how Rishi ji was always joyful and happy even after being diagnosed with cancer, he penned “It was always .. ‘see you soon , just a routine visit to the Hospital .. I’ll be back shortly‘. Joie de vivre .. the exuberant enjoyment of life, was a gene he inherited from his father .. the Legend, the Ultimate Showman the Iconic Raj Kapoor.” At the end of the blog, Big B explained the reason why he never visited him in the hospital. “I never visited him in Hospital .. I never wanted to see distress on his smiling cherubic face .. But I am certain .. when he went , he must have gone with a gentle smile …”
As Amitabh Bachchan could not attend the final rites of his best friend, Rishi Kapoor, it was his son, Abhishek Bachchan, who stood rock solid with Rishi ji's son, Ranbir Kapoor. As the Kapoor and Bachchan family share close ties, Abhishek represented the Bachchan family at the funeral of Rishi ji. The actor took to his Instagram handle to express his respect and love for the demised soul. Sharing a picture with Rishi Kapoor, Abhishek wrote, "The true measure of a great man is... When upon his passing, you don't just remember him, but you remember yourself with him! I will always remember how you made me feel, Chintu uncle. Your love, encouragement, humour and honesty. Some losses are too personal to discuss publicly. You just have to cherish the moments together and the memories. I will always..." Take a look at the picture below. (Don't Miss: Rishi Kapoor's Last Video As He Waited For His Wife, Neetu Kapoor To Finish Her Grocery Shopping)
RIP Rishi sir!