Entertainment

IIE DIGITAL DESK : Renowned comedian-actor Vir Das recently offered fans a rare and endearing glimpse into the warm, mischievous side of late Bollywood icon Rishi Kapoor—and his legendary partner, Neetu Kapoor. Sharing the tale on the Moment of Silence podcast hosted by Sakshi Shivdasani and Naina Bhan, Vir took listeners aboard an airplane full of humor and affection as he recounted an amusing in-flight chapter involving the Kapoor couple .

Seated in economy, Vir began to overhear a spirited argument streaming from business class. “Heard some chikad-chikad happening between a couple… ‘You can’t eat the cake.’ ‘I want the bloody cake!’” he recalled. The playful clash unfolded as Neetu warned Rishi against indulging in cake for health reasons—he had been fighting leukemia—and Rishi pushed back with a display of his well-known feistiness .

Amused and surprised by the commotion, Rishi abruptly stood up and strode to the back of the cabin. With a characteristic quip and trademark grin, he greeted Vir with a casual “Arre, Vir,” then shared stories of his early career before eyeing Vir’s dessert. “You’re going to eat your cake?” he mused—and without waiting for a reply, he helped himself to Vir’s slice, polishing it off in true Harry-flower style. “He just ate my cake,” Vir laughed—praising it as a moment only someone of Rishi Kapoor’s stature could pull off .

This wasn’t Vir Das’s first interaction with the Kapoor scion. He fondly remembered their first meeting in 2007 on the set of Namaste London, where Rishi Kapoor greeted him warmly in typical patriarchal fashion. “Beta, tera naam kya hai?... Beta, tu bohot accha actor hai. Shake my hand and promise me you’ll keep acting,” Rishi told him—a gesture that left Vir momentarily starstruck .

Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh tied the knot on January 22, 1980, forging one of Indian cinema’s most beloved partnerships. Their on-screen magic shone through blockbuster hits like Amar Akbar Anthony, Kabhi Kabhie, Khel Khel Mein, and Rafoo Chakkar, anchoring a legacy of romance on and off camera.

Their solid bond endured for more than four decades, weathering stardom, family life, and Rishi’s long battle with leukemia. The actor passed away on April 30, 2020, aged 67, leaving behind their children Riddhima and Ranbir, as well as a treasure trove of cinematic memories .

Vir Das’s recollection captures the essence of Rishi Kapoor: equal parts charming, cheeky, and entirely human. Even grappling with health concerns, he embraced its rare moments of levity. The image of him commandeering someone else’s cake in mid-air—then offering Gary Cooper-level warmth—paints a vivid picture of his larger-than-life personality, one that could transform the most mundane scene into a heartwarming story.

As audiences revisit this mid-air adventure, laughter mingles with nostalgia, reminding us that true stardom isn’t just about screen time—it’s the genuine warmth and spontaneity behind the persona. In his own mischievous way, Rishi Kapoor once again showed why he remains one of Bollywood’s most cherished figures.