Khushbu Sundar Reflects on Rajiv Kapoor’s Struggles and Untimely Demise: It has been over three years since Rajiv Kapoor, the youngest son of legendary filmmaker Raj Kapoor, passed away due to a heart attack. His sudden demise in 2021 left the film industry and his loved ones in shock. Recently, actor-politician Khushbu Sundar, a close friend of Rajiv, opened up about his struggles with alcoholism and the toll it took on his health. AishwaryaaRajinikanth and Dhanush confirmed their divorce in court, putting to rest reconciliation rumors.
A Friendship That Endured
Khushbu and Rajiv shared a deep bond that began during their work on the iconic film Ram Teri Ganga Maili. Though Khushbu was initially slated to debut in the film, she was later replaced by Mandakini. Despite this, their friendship flourished. Reflecting on their bond, Khushbu revealed,
“Rajiv, or Chimpu as we fondly called him, was a rare soul with liveliness and a strong commitment to his friendships. Even now, I have not deleted his number from my phone. It feels like he is still with us.”
Struggles with Health and Addiction
In a candid interview with Vickey Lalwani, Khushbu shared Rajiv’s struggles with his health and addiction to alcohol. She noted,
“He did have a heart issue, but his addiction to alcohol made things worse. We tried to help him quit, but he wasn’t taking it seriously. He treated his drinking casually, and it eventually took a severe toll on his health.”
Rajiv also suffered from a major knee problem, undergoing multiple surgeries that did not yield the desired results. Khushbu revealed that he had been feeling low for a while, yet his spirit remained unbroken.
The Final Conversation
Khushbu recounted her last conversation with Rajiv, which occurred just a day before his passing.
“When I spoke to Chimpu, he had a high fever. It was during the COVID-19 pandemic, and despite being unwell, he was his usual self. He even promised to meet me soon. His death came as a rude shock,” she said.
Rajiv’s passing was first conveyed to her by producer Boney Kapoor, who called to inform her of the devastating news.
A Legacy Cut Short
Rajiv Kapoor, who made his acting debut with Ek Jaan Hain Hum in 1983, starred in several films, including Aasmaan (1984), Lover Boy (1985), and Zabardast (1985). However, none of his works achieved the acclaim of Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985), directed by his father, Raj Kapoor.
He was 58 years old at the time of his death. As the youngest of the Kapoor siblings, Rajiv shared a close relationship with his brothers, the late Rishi Kapoor and Randhir Kapoor.
Khushbu’s Regret
While Khushbu cherishes her memories of Rajiv, she expressed regret about not staying in touch with his family after his passing.
“I regret not being in touch with his family. It’s difficult to move on from such a loss, especially when the person was so full of life,” she admitted.
Remembering Rajiv Kapoor
Rajiv Kapoor’s demise is a poignant reminder of the importance of addressing health issues and seeking support for addiction. For Khushbu Sundar and many others, his memory remains alive through his work, his friendships, and his spirit.
As Khushbu poignantly puts it,
“It’s rare to find someone with so much liveliness and dedication to friendships. Rajiv will always be in our hearts.”