Veteran actress and politician, Khushbu Sundar recently opened up about her close bond with the late actor, Rajiv Kapoor. Khushbu shed light on the late actor’s personal struggles, particularly with alcoholism, and the events that led up to his tragic demise. Rajiv Kapoor, fondly known as Chimpu, passed away in 2021 after suffering cardiac arrest, leaving behind an indelible mark on his family and friends. Recently, in an emotional interview with Vickey Lalwani, Rajiv’s dear friend, Khushbu opened up about the actor’s battle with alcoholism and his untimely demise.
Rajiv Kapoor was the youngest son of legendary filmmaker, Raj Kapoor and the brother of actors, Rishi Kapoor and Randhir Kapoor. He had been grappling with health challenges which became even more complex due to his alcohol addiction. Talking about the same, Khushbu shared:
“He (Rajiv) did have a heart issue, but because of his addiction to alcohol, we knew that it could create a huge problem. We were not successful in making him quit this habit.”
Khushbu revealed that Rajiv Kapoor had undergone multiple knee surgeries but his physical health continued to deteriorate. Despite his health condition, the actor’s lively spirit always shone through. Recalling the time she got to know about his death, Khushbu said:
“He was keeping extremely low. He had a major issue with his knee, so he underwent a couple of surgeries. But that didn’t help him at all. We were definitely aware that Chimpu was unwell. I was in Bombay when Chimpu died. I was informed about his death by Boney Kapoor. He called me and said, ‘Chimpu is no more’. It came as a rude shock to me.”
Khushbu revealed that she had spoken to Rajiv just a day before his death. Despite battling high fever during the pandemic, Rajiv appeared to downplay his health issues. Recalling their final conversation, Khushbu said:
“I spoke to Chimpu just a day before his death. He was down with very high fever and it was during COVID-19. Despite being unwell, he was being his usual self… He was taking his health lightly and promised to meet soon… His death came as a shock to me. It is very rare to find people with so much liveliness and commitment towards their friends and friendships. We still believe he is with us.”
Khushbu Sundar and Rajiv Kapoor became friends during the making of Ram Teri Ganga Maili. The actress was originally considered for the lead role in the iconic film, but at just 14 years old, she was eventually replaced by Mandakini. Despite not sharing the screen in the movie, their bond remained unshakable.
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A year after Rishi Kapoor's death, Rajiv Kapoor passed away on February 9, 2021, at the age of 58 after suffering a massive heart attack at his brother, Randhir Kapoor’s residence. The Ram Teri Ganga Maili star was rushed to the hospital immediately, but doctors declared him dead upon arrival. His sudden demise was a devastating shock to both the Kapoor family and the film industry. A year later, his final film, Toolsidas Junior, was released, serving as his posthumous return to the big screen.
What do you think about Khushbu Sundar's revelations?
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