Late actor Rajiv Kapoor's chautha canceled due to safety reasons
A chautha or prayer ceremony for late actor Rajiv Kapoor will not be held due to safety reasons keeping the coronavirus pandemic in mind. The actor passed away due to a heart attack on Tuesday, February 9 and his last rites were performed later that day. He was the younger brother of actor Randhir Kapoor and late actor Rishi Kapoor. Here are more details.
Neetu Kapoor shared the announcement on social media
The late actor's sister-in-law, Neetu Kapoor shared a statement on Instagram to announce that there will be no chautha in memory of Rajiv "for safety reasons." The note added, "The entire Raj Kapoor family is a part of your grief too." Other members of the Kapoor family like Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Karisma Kapoor also shared the note.
Here is what Neetu shared
Rajiv passed away due to a heart attack
Rajiv, best remembered for his role in Ram Teri Ganga Maili, suffered a cardiac arrest on February 9, and was rushed to the hospital by his brother Randhir. He was 58 years old. His death came just months after another member of the family - veteran actor Rishi Kapoor passed away after battling cancer. Their sister Ritu Nanda also died last year.
Condolences from the industry poured in
Many fellow celebrities from the industry condoled Rajiv's death. Singer Lata Mangeshkar expressed grief via Twitter and also prayed for the late actor's soul. Actors Sanjay Dutt, Sunny Deol and Madhuri Dixit Nene also remembered Rajiv through social media posts.
Randhir and Ranbir led the funeral procession
The funeral procession of the late actor was led by Randhir and his nephew - actor Ranbir Kapoor. Many members of the family including Kareena, Karisma, Aadar Jain and Armaan Jain were seen arriving at the family's Chembur residence to pay last respects. Actors Alia Bhatt, Shah Rukh Khan, Sanjay Kapoor, and Tara Sutaria also joined the family for the funeral.
The late actor was gearing for a silver screen comeback
Rajiv took a sabbatical from cinema many years ago and was gearing up for a comeback after 28 years. He had recently completed the shooting of his final film Toolsidas Junior, starring Sanjay Dutt in the lead. The film has been produced by Ashutosh Gowariker. Ashutosh said, "I was a great fan of Rajiv Kapoor, from his Ram Teri Ganga Maili days (sic)."
Ashutosh remembers Rajiv
"I carried that memory with me for many years and then we connected quite a few times since Lagaan. And when an opportunity arrived in the form of my production of Toolsidas Junior, I cast him in it," the filmmaker added.
Rajiv had made his debut in 1983
Rajiv had made his acting debut with the 1983 movie Ek Jaan Hain Hum. He shot to fame with his father, Raj Kapoor's last directorial Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985). Some of his other notable films include Aasmaan, Lover Boy, and Hum To Chale Pardes. In 1996, he directed Prem Granth with Rishi Kapoor in the lead, and also produced a few films.
