End of an era, but his legacy will live on: Film industry mourns Rishi Kapoor's death

Rishi Kapoor's death is the end of an era in Hindi cinema, said co-stars and friends Lata Mangeshkar, Amitabh Bachchan and Karan Johar as they reminisced about the time spent with the actor who loved to live larger-than-life.

The actor, 67, died on Thursday at HN Reliance hospital here after a two year long battle with leukemia, his elder brother Randhir Kapoor confirmed with PTI.

His family said the actor 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," the family said in a statement, adding the actor would like to be "remembered with a smile and not with tears".

Daughter Riddhima Kapoor Sahni said Rishi Kapoor was her "strongest warrior".

"Papa I love you I will always love you - RIP my strongest warrior I will miss you everyday I will miss your FaceTime calls everyday! Until we meet again papa I love you," she wrote on Instagram.

Bachchan, a close friend and frequent collaborator of the actor, was the first to break the news on social media, but deleted his tweet later.

"He's GONE .. ! Rishi Kapoor .. gone .. just passed away .. I am destroyed, he had written on Twitter.

Their last movie together was 2018's 102 Not Out.

Tributes poured in from everywhere for Rishi Kapoor with those who knew him sharing anecdotes and memories of the temperamental but lovable star.

South superstar Rajinikanth, who worked with Rishi Kapoor in 1986's Dosti Dushmani said he was heartbroken.

Mangeshkar said the actor's passing away has created a huge void in the cinema industry.

"It's really tough for me to bear this pain," she tweeted.

Singer Asha Bhosle said the actor was always by her side but she can't be with him in this hour of grief.

"He remains eternal and special," she wrote with their picture together.

Rishi Kapoor's death comes just a day after the untimely death of acclaimed actor Irrfan Khan, who passed away on Wednesday here. He also died of cancer.

Superstar Salman Khan took to Twitter and wrote, "Rest in peace chintu sirrr, kaha suna maaf , strength , peace n light to family and friends."
Imtiaz Ali, who directed the actor in "Love Aaj Kal", said with his death, "something precious became past today."
He shared stills from their film and captioned it: "Such an honour. Such a privilege."