Rishi Kapoor dies at 67: Sports fraternity pays homage to veteran actor

Image Credits: Twitter/@virendersehwag

The sports fraternity came in unison to condole the demise of veteran Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor, who breathed his last on Thusday at the age of 67.

From former Indian opener Virender Sehwag to legendary cricketer VVS Laxman, all took to their social media handles to pay their tributes to the late actor.

Posting a picture of Rishi Kapoor, Laxman expressed his grief on the sad demise of the Bollywood actor while also extending his condolences to his family.

"Extremely sad to hear about the demise of #RishiKapoor ji. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones," he tweeted.

Extremely sad to hear about the demise of #RishiKapoor ji. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones pic.twitter.com/PJUfmCx9hk

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) April 30, 2020

Sehwag, on the other hand, wrote that he is feeling extremely disheartened to hear about the news of Rishi Kapoor's death.

"Extremely disheartened to learn about the passing away of #RishiKapoor ji. Heartfelt condolences to his family. Om Shanti !," the former Indian opener wrote.

Extremely disheartened to learn about the passing away of #RishiKapoor ji. Heartfelt condolences to his family. Om Shanti ! pic.twitter.com/fXcbomrpN5 — Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) April 30, 2020

Indian skipper Virat Kohli described the news of veteran bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor's demise as 'unreal and unbelievable.'

"This is unreal and unbelievable. Yesterday Irrfan Khan and today Rishi Kapoor ji. It's hard to accept this as a legend passes away today. My condolences to the family and may his soul rest in peace," Kohli tweeted.

This is unreal and unbelievable. Yesterday Irrfan Khan and today Rishi Kapoor ji. It's hard to accept this as a legend passes away today. My condolences to the family and may his soul rest in peace  — Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) April 30, 2020

Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar took also took to his official Twitter handle and extended his heartfelt condolences to the entire family of Rishi Kapoor.'

"Very very sad about the passing of Rishi ji. I grew up watching his movies and he was also very gracious whenever we met over the years. May his soul rest in peace. My heartfelt condolences to Neetu ji, Ranbir and the whole family," the master blaster tweeted.

Very very sad to hear about the passing away of Rishi ji. I grew up watching his movies and he was always very gracious when we met over the years. May his soul Rest in Peace.

My heartfelt condolences to Neetu ji, Ranbir and the whole Kapoor family.  pic.twitter.com/MItdmmSnVz — Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) April 30, 2020

Meanwhile, former Indian cricketer Anil Kumble also paid homage to his 'childhood hero'.

"#RishiKapoor childhood hero...gone..heartfelt condolences to his family and friends," the former Indian headcoach tweeted.

#RishiKapoor childhood hero...gone..heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. — Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) April 30, 2020

Let us take a look at how other cricketers have paid their tributes: 

What an absolutely heartbreaking news to wake up to. I’m at a loss of words, rest in peace #RishiKapoor ji  pic.twitter.com/fByjBF3xJd — Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) April 30, 2020

Deeply saddened by the demise of #RishiKapoor ji, just as we are all coming to terms with the passing away of #IrfanKhan . Truly bad times these. — lets stay indoors India (@ashwinravi99) April 30, 2020

It's shocking to hear about the sudden demise of #RishiKapoor ji. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. May his soul rest in peace pic.twitter.com/pAfOGhdzm0 — Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) April 30, 2020

Heart breaking. Two in a row. We have lost another star. My condolences to Rishi Kapoor Sir’s family. May his soul rest in peace. #RishiKapoor
2020 Please give us a Break!! — Sandeep sharma (@sandeep25a) April 30, 2020

Rishi Kapoor, who was admitted to Mumbai’s Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital on Wednesday night, died on Thursday morning. His brother and veteran actor Randhir Kapoor confirmed the news to news agency PTI. 

The actor was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in 2018 and underwent treatment for the same in New York for almost a year before returning to India in September 2019. 

In February, Rishi Kapoor was hospitalised twice due to his health issues. He was first admitted to a hospital in Delhi where he was attending a family function. At that time, he had said that he was suffering from an "infection". Following his return to Mumbai, he was again admitted to a hospital with viral fever before being discharged soon after.

In a career spanning five decades, he played prominent roles in films such as ‘Karz’,  ‘Khel Khel Mein’, ‘Amar, Akbar and Anthony’, ‘Laila Majnu’, ‘Nagina’,’ Saagar’, ‘Hum Kisise Kum Naheen’, ‘Chandni’, Damini, 3. Do Dooni Chaar, D-Day, Agneepath and Kapoor & Sons.

He is survived by wife Neetu Kapoor and children Riddhima Kapoor Sahni and actor Ranbir Kapoor.

The news of Rishi Kapoor's demise has come just a day after the Bollywood industry had also lost versatile actor Irrfan Khan due to cancer.