Actor Rajiv Kapoor who rose to popularity with the iconic film Ram Teri Ganga Maili passed away earlier today. He was 58 years old and died of a cardiac arrest. Rajiv was the youngest son of Raj Kapoor and the entire Kapoor clan is currently in shock as Rajiv’s elder brother, Rishi Kapoor, succumbed to cancer just last year in April 2020.
Randhir Kapoor confirmed his brother’s death during an interaction with the media. He said, “I have lost my youngest brother, Rajiv. He is no more. The doctors tried their best but could not save him. I am at the hospital, waiting for his body.” Neetu Kapoor also took to Instagram to pay a tribute to her brother-in-law.
Rajiv was all set to make an acting comeback very soon with Ashutosh Gowariker’s Toolsidas Junior. Besides being an actor, he was also an illustrious filmmaker and has left a great legacy behind.
Gone Too Soon
Rajiv made his debut in the film industry with the 1983 film Ek Jaan Hai Hum. However, it was in 1985 that he rose to fame with the superhit film Ram Teri Ganga Maili. It was one of the highest-grossing films in the 1980s and instantly had everyone talking about its extremely good-looking leads including Rajiv and Mandakini.
The film ended up being such a huge success that Rajiv found it impossible to replicate its success and quit his acting career after a few films in the 1980s including Zalzala, Hum To Chale Pardes, and Angaarey. After Raj Kapoor’s death, he decided to go behind the scenes and took over the responsibility of producing films under the banner of RK Films.
It was with the 1996 film Prem Granth that Rajiv gave us another huge hit, this time as a director. He was also the co-producer of Aa Ab Laut Chalein, which was the last movie made under the RK Film banner. He worked on the film with his brother Rishi Kapoor. Rajiv has surely left a huge legacy behind and would be remembered for all these iconic films.
Bollywood Expresses Grief Over Social Media
The entire Hindi film industry is bereaved with Rajiv’s shocking demise. Fellow actors and others from the industry took to social media to express their grief:
Our hearts go out to the Kapoor family. It is indeed a very sad day. Rest in peace, Rajiv!
Featured Image: Twitter