Mumbai, September 14, 2023: Bollywood has been plunged into mourning as the industry mourns the loss of beloved veteran actor Rio Kapadia, who passed away at the age of 66. Kapadia, renowned for his iconic roles in hit films like “Chak De India,” “Dil Chahta Hai,” and “Mardaani,” breathed his last on September 14.
The heart-wrenching news was confirmed by his close friend Faisal Malik in an exclusive statement to India Today. Kapadia leaves behind a grieving family, survived by his wife, Maria Farah, and their children, Aman and Veer.
The news of Kapadia’s untimely death has sent shockwaves through the entertainment world, leaving fans and fellow actors devastated. His cremation ceremony is slated to take place on September 15 at the Shiv Dham Shamshan Bhumi in Goregaon, where friends, family, and admirers will bid their final farewell to the beloved actor.
Actor Rio Kapadia demise a mystery
The exact cause of Rio Kapadia’s passing remains shrouded in mystery, adding to the sorrow of those who cherished his work on screen. As condolences pour in from across the nation, tributes have flooded social media platforms, with fans reminiscing about the indelible mark he left on Indian cinema.
Beyond his remarkable contributions to the silver screen, Rio Kapadia also graced the television industry with his talent, notably in the popular show “Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke,” where he portrayed the role of Gandhari’s Father, King Subala of Gandhara in Siddharth Tewary’s “Mahabharat.” His versatility and dedication to his craft earned him respect and admiration from both peers and fans alike.
However, Rio Kapadia’s legacy extends beyond his on-screen achievements. He was a vocal advocate for actor’s rights within the television industry, often urging fellow actors to unite and support one another. In 2012, when he faced the unfortunate experience of being replaced by another actor for a prominent role in a show, Kapadia fearlessly addressed the systemic issues that actors encounter in the entertainment industry.
In an interview, Kapadia had passionately expressed his concerns, stating, “I belong to no such group; I have grown up in a different way and have certain values in life. This is a very bad situation for any actor to be in, and many of them have faced this in the industry… When you see the shows made abroad, they prepare the entire script of a particular serial and submit it. Only when the whole story gets approved, the show is aired. But here, one particular concept goes to the channel, and nobody knows what is going to be written by the writer in the episodes to come.
Our audience needs their daily dose of drama and to provide that, the scripts get modified day in and day out. This is the reason why not many of our new shows exist for a time span of more than two months. Gone are the days when shows used to run for a year to two years to a maximum of five to ten years.”
As the nation comes to terms with the loss of Rio Kapadia, his passion for his craft and his unwavering commitment to improving the industry for actors will remain an enduring part of his legacy. His absence leaves a void in Indian cinema that may never be filled, but his remarkable contributions to the world of entertainment will continue to shine brightly in the hearts of those who admired and cherished him.