Mumbai : Veteran actor Rishi Kapoor breathed his last on April 30. The actor was admitted to HN Reliance Hospital in Mumbai on Wednesday morning. Rishi Kapoor was battling cancer since 2018, and was in the US for treatment for a year. The actor’s brother, Randhir Kapoor, told the media on Wednesday night that he was admitted to the hospital due to his health deteriorating.

Amitabh Bachchan confirmed the news of Rishi Kapoor’s demise on Twitter.

Rishi was diagnosed with cancer in 2018 and he returned to India from New York in September last year, after his cancer treatment. He was taken to the hospital on Wednesday morning, his brother Randhir Kapoor said yesterday.

An official statement confirming the actor’s demise read, “Our dear Rishi Kapoor passed away peacefully at 8.45 am IST in hospital today after a two-year battle with leukemia. The doctors and medical staff said he kept them entertained to the last.

“He 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.

“He was grateful for the love of his fans that poured in from the world over. In his passing, they would all understand that he would like to be remembered with a smile and not with tears.

“In this hour of personal loss, we also recognise the world is going through a very difficult and troubled time. There are numerous restrictions around movement and gathering in public. We would like to request all his fans and well-wishers and friends of the family to please respect the laws that are in force.

“He would not have it any other way.”

Rishi Kapoor was last seen in the web series The Body on Netflix. He had also shot for a film in Delhi earlier this year.

Rishi Kapoor, the son of Raj Kapoor, broke on to the Indian cinema scene with his first film itself, Mera Naam Joker, in which he played the role of a child artiste. The actor received a National Award for Mera Naam Joker.

In 1973, Rishi Kapoor made his film debut as an adult, with Bobby, opposite Dimple Kapadia. The first film made Kapoor an overnight star and gave the country a new hero.

The actor’s last Bollywood film was the 2018 film 102 Not Out alongside Amitabh Bachchan.

Rishi Kapoor is survived by wife and actor Neetu Kapoor, son Ranbir Kapoor and daughter Riddhima Kapoor Sahni.