ACTOR-DIRECTOR Rajiv Kapoor, son of celebrated filmmaker-actor Raj Kapoor, died on Tuesday due to heart attack. He was 58. Neetu Kapoor, wife of late actor Rishi Kapoor, was the first to confirm the news on Instagram. She wrote “RIP” alongside a picture of her brother-in-law. Brother Randhir Kapoor said Rajiv Kapoor died due to heart attack. “He passed away about 1.30 pm due to heart attack,” Randhir Kapoor told PTI. Rajiv Kapoor made his acting debut with 1983 film ‘Ek Jaan Hain Hum,’ but made first appearance as a leading man in blockbuster ‘Ram Teri Ganga Maili’ (1985), which was Raj Kapoor’s last directorial venture.

 

He went on to feature in films like ‘Aasmaan,’ ‘Lover Boy,’ ‘Zabardast’ and ‘Hum To Chale Pardes.’ Rajiv Kapoor’s last film as a leading man was 1990’s ‘Zimmedaar.’ A lesser known face from the famous Kapoor film clan, he then made a switch to production and direction. His first production was ‘Henna’ (1991), directed by his brother Randhir Kapoor. In 1996, Rajiv Kapoor made his feature directorial debut with ‘Prem Granth,’ starring Rishi Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit. He also produced the Rishi Kapoor-directed 1999 romance drama ‘Aa Ab Laut Chalen.’

 

In 2001, he married architect Aarti Sabharwal, but the couple divorced later. Rajiv Kapoor was the youngest among three brothers and two sisters -- Randhir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Ritu Nanda and Rima Jain. His eldest sister Ritu Nanda and brother Rishi Kapoor passed away in January and April last year. Rajiv Kapoor was cremated in Chembur, a suburb in eastern Mumbai, around 7 pm. Randhir Kapoor and nephew, actor Ranbir Kapoor led the funeral procession.