The End of an Era

Bollywood Pays Its Respects to Krishna Kapoor

Krishna Raj Kapoor was all of 16 when she got married. And right till the showman’s death in 1988, she was by his side, providing constant support as Raj Kapoor battled various controversies. Often seen in stunning georgette sarees, with a choker round her neck, and shimmering red lipstick, she epitomised style. Her grandson Ranbir Kapoor often mentioned that his grandmother defined elegance.

 Krishna Kapoor, the widow of the legendary Bollywood actor-filmmaker Raj Kapoor, passed away on Monday in Mumbai, said a family member. She was 87.

Krishna, who married Raj Kapoor in May 1946, is survived by her sons Randhir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Rajiv Kapoor, and daughters Ritu Nanda and Reema Kapoor-Jain. Krishna Raj Kapoor was the sister of renowned actors Rajendra Nath, Prem Nath and Narendra Nath. Her sister Uma is married to Prem Chopra who made his mark as a villain Bollywood.

The Kapoor clan and members of the film fraternity arrived at their house in Chembur for the funeral and to pay respects.  Krishna Kapoor was 87. The funeral was held on Monday which was attended by some of the biggest names of Bollywood including Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Kajol, Arjun Kapoor and others. However, amidst the funeral ceremonies, Ranbir Kapoor and his mother Neetu Kapoor were nowhere to be seen.

The real reason behind their absence was that they had accompanied Rishi Kapoor to the US for his treatment. The veteran actor had just left a day before his mother Krishna Raj Kapoor passed away. While leaving the country, he tweeted, “Hello all! I am taking a short leave of absence from work to go to America for some medical treatment. I urge my well wishers not to worry or unnecessarily speculate. It’s been 45 years “plus”of wear and tear at the movies. With your love and good wishes,I will be back soon!”

Talking about Krishna Raj Kapoor, she was complaining of breathlessness for some time. Her eldest son Randhir Kapoor told media in India “My mother passed away at about 5 am today due to cardiac arrest…old age was another factor. We are deeply saddened by her demise.”