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‘We Weren’t Allowed to Smile’: Riddhima Kapoor on Family’s Struggles with Trolls Rishi Kapoor’s Death

Animesh Kumar2 years ago2027 mins

In an honest interview with Galatta India about the series Fabulous Lives vs Bollywood Wives Season 3, jewelry designer Riddhima Kapoor Sahni opened up about the backlash her family experienced following the death of her father, the legendary actor Rishi Kapoor. According to Riddhima, the family faced harsh criticism for their public appearances, as people often misjudged them for carrying on with their lives.

Misunderstood Strength: Judged for Showing Composure

Riddhima adds that her attempt to keep calm and avoid showing off her grieve was often mistaken for being indifferent. “My pain is listening to people in the public say that they look happy as they go out, do something,” she said, referring to her family’s public appearance. “No one can see what it will come out to when we get home and find out what reality is all about”. These comments added to the pain that the family was going to endure when dealing with deep loss quietly; it wasn’t easy to harmonize public personas with private sorrows.

Conquering Privilege-Based Criticism

Riddhima discussed the assumption made on the privilege tied to her family and how some individuals made reckless claims that they weren’t feeling the impact of the loss. She was miffed with this mental setup as it states what people are and are struggling with: “People say so-and-so are privileged, they have everything; but how do you know what insecurities they might be facing?

In this assertion, the speaker has underlined the typical trend wherein the rest of the population fails to appreciate the hidden issues that accompany the phenomenon of bereavement along with other psychological problems without any differentiation.

Admiration for Neetu Kapoor’s Resilience

She’s an amazing person I admire so much. It is really true that even now she had to take lots of flak for deciding to work again after the passing away of Papa ji and we do know the trolling on the web against her resumption of films so soon,” the hero of the film said while addressing a press conference to release a poster. She chose to get moving, but we judge her not for weeping in public. Riddhima stated, “My mom handled it very well. I will say she was very concentrated and dignified during those times.”

This strength of Neetu has proven to be of great inspiration for others while facing loss.

Remembering Rishi Kapoor: The Legacy of Resilience

The very courageous two-year long battle with leukemia that Rishi Kapoor had, took away his life on April 30, 2020, when he was 67 years old. His lively spirit kept him engaged in living life at its fullest while he suffered from the illness, where he spent time interacting with family and friends and going to movies. In a poignant family statement, they explained how he managed to be “jovial and determined” as he faced two years of treatment across two continents. There was everyone who found solace in his resiliency.

His enduring legacy continues touching the hearts of fans, who admire him not only for his talent but also for the zest of living life at its fullest best.

Kapoor Legacy in Indian Cinema

Born into Hindi cinema’s first family, Rishi Kapoor was the son of “The Showman” Raj Kapoor and grandson of Prithviraj Kapoor, the great man. Sharing his siblings with his parents were Randhir, Ritu Nanda, Rima Jain, and Rajeev Kapoor. His wife was the actress Neetu Kapoor, and with her, he had the two children, Ranbir Kapoor and Riddhima Kapoor Sahni.

Ranbir, too being a son of a dashing father, married a beautiful actress Alia Bhatt in 2022 and has recently welcomed daughter Raha. As the Kapoor family walks their healing journey, they carry the spirit and teachings of Rishi. The thoughts of Riddhima and shared experiences of the family will be a poignant reminder that grief is a journey, and not everyone is going to understand it when you are walking through the dark. The life and contribution of Rishi to Indian cinema continues to be celebrated through the Kapoor family as a tribute to his memory so that love and creativity will continue to be the legacy of many in their hearts.