By Akanksha Gupta Last Updated:
It was on September 29, 2018, when Rishi Kapoor had tweeted about his short absence from work and had requested his fans and well-wishers to not unnecessarily speculate about his diagnosis. But speculations did mount over Rishi ji’s health and multiple reports about him suffering from the Big C made it to the headlines. Then in a New Year 2019 post from Neetu Kapoor’s profile had provided to be a subtle hint about her husband’s ailment. (Also Read: Alia Bhatt And Ranbir Kapoor's Unmissable Chemistry At The Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrations In Antilia)
“Happy 2019 no resolutions only wishes this year!!! Less pollution traffic!! Hope in future cancer is only a zodiac sign!!! No hatred less poverty loads of love togetherness happiness and most important. Good health.” Neetu Kapoor’s New Year 2019 post’s caption stated. Since then, everyone had begun praying for the sound health of Rishi Kapoor and hoping to have him back in Mumbai, hale and hearty. Many B-towners have also dropped in to visit recovering Rishi ji and his wife, Neetu ji at New York, where he is undergoing the cancer treatment.
Ranbir Kapoor and Riddhima Kapoor Sahni have proved to be pillars of support for their parents, Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Kapoor. Taking time out from their hectic schedules, Ranbir and Riddhima spend quality time with their parents and have been a constant part of Rishi ji’s journey to recovery. However, it took some time initially for Ranbir to come in terms of his father’s diagnosis. In a recent interview, Neetu Kapoor revealed how Ranbir Kapoor had reacted when he got to know about Rishi Kapoor’s health condition in 2018.
Neetu Kapoor revealed that when they got to know about Rishi Kapoor’s cancer, Ranbir Kapoor was travelling. When he came back, Neetu ji made him sit and explained the situation, which left him teary-eyed. For an hour or so, Ranbir was in a denial state, but later, he composed himself and got down to deal with the situation. The very next day, he went to Delhi to pick his father, and the two then flew to New York for Rishi ji’s treatment. (Also Read: Rishi Kapoor's Battle With Cancer, Says He Had Lost 26 Kgs And Had No Appetite For First Four Months)
In an interview with the Mumbai Mirror sometime back, Rishi Kapoor had acknowledged the immense support he had received from his family including wife, Neetu Kapoor and children, Riddhima Kapoor Sahni and Ranbir Kapoor. Revealing how this tough phase had brought the family together, Rishi ji had stated, “Yes, all my siblings, my children and Neetu in particular, who has been like a solid rock, have been around me, supporting me through all this. Right now, my daughter and grand-daughter are with me. Ranbir keeps coming every five-six weeks. I am overjoyed by all the love and concern, the solidarity of my family. Here I have to make a special mention of my niece Natasha and my elder sister Ritu Nanda who is also here for the same reason. They were our anchors who kept Neetu and me going. When your anxiety is so high you need this kind of support and such motivational people around.”
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In an interaction with the Times Now, Neetu Kapoor revealed her first reaction upon knowing her husband, Rishi Kapoor’s cancer diagnosis. She had said, "My first reaction was, obviously very bad, I was devastated, my kids were devastated. We didn’t know what to do. But then we thought to ourselves that this is it, we have to deal with it. Where he (Rishi) is concerned, he was in denial. For 4-5 months, he was not himself. I think when you start accepting that this is your issue, then you are stronger. I feel he is much stronger for the past, maybe 5-6 months."
Recalling the days when Rishi Kapoor didn’t feel like eating and how she used to trick him into trying the food, Neetu Kapoor had remarked, "Mujhe laga, I became his mother. Like, like he was my third child, khana, sona, dawaiyaan, jaise bacche ko look after karte hain. I just became a mother. A mother wants to do the best. My worry was when he didn’t eat. Around January, I think in every treatment there are days when you don’t want to eat…Then I thought what do I make to get him to eat? I used to play tricks around him, talk to the nurse about some restaurant and some good dish they have and then he would chip in saying ‘really? ok let us try that." (Also Read: Neetu Kapoor Reveals All That She Did To Support Hubby, Rishi Kapoor During His Cancer Treatment)
We can’t wait to see Rishi Kapoor back in Mumbai, hale and hearty!