Veteran actor Rishi Kapoor passed away today. He was 67. The actor breathed his last at the HN Reliance Hospital in Mumbai, after a two-year-long-battle with cancer.  He is survived by his wife Neetu Kapoor and children Ranbir and Riddhima Kapoor. 

Filmmaker Kunal Kohli, who had directed Rishi on Hum Tum (2004), Fanaa (2006) and Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic (2008), spoke to us about his association with the actor.

“I can’t believe I won’t be getting a call from Chintu sir or hear his voice again. I think I took his presence for granted. I remember every single day of working with him. The time I spent with him was always so eventful. He was always up to something, doing something, commenting on something,” says Kunal.

The director narrates an incident from his days of shooting with the actor. “During Fanaa (2006), we were shooting a scene late into the night. The four actors — Aamir, Kajol, Rishi sir and child actor Ali Haji — had to look at a door. However, when we did the take, Rishi sir instead looked at the clock. He later told me, 'Why would I see the door of my own house? I’d rather look at the clock to see who had come at this hour.' That was the hallmark of Rishi Kapoor. He found logic and reason even in a small reaction shot”

Kunal adds, “The world will never be the same without Rishi sir. His aura, his personality and his stature as an actor is irreplaceable. I will miss his booming voice, cutting across a room, and his warm hugs.”