Best Friend Rakesh Roshan: “I Warned Rishi Kapoor About His Health”

Rishi Kapoor and Rakesh  Roshan  were  close  friends  for 45  years. Rakesh is  understandably  shaken by  the suddenness  of  his pal’s death.

“I met him last on March 15 over dinner. Only Chintu(Rishi), his wife Neetu and  I were  there, and we chatted  for  nearly three hours.We  discussed each  other’s health.”

Rakesh Roshan himself has come out of a cancer phase . “I am  a hundred  percent cured,  touchwood. Chintu asked me  why I  didn’t start a  new film. I told him I will wait until September when my  final medical tests will happen. I would rather wait until I’m fully sure.  Health comes  first.And this  is what I told Chintu also.”

In fact Rakesh  Roshan  blames  Rishi Kapoor’s trip to Delhi in February for his  health relapse. “Both of  had cancer  , though different kinds. I am aware of how infection-prone we  are. So  when Chintu told me  about his plans to go to Delhi in February for a wedding  I  advised  him against it.But he  still went , and  had a relapse  there. When I met Chintu he admitted he should’ve listened to me and   that he  made a mistake  by going to Delhi.”

Rakesh  reveals how admitting his mistakes came easily to Rishi.  “He was short-tempered and  impulsive and  often regretted what  he said. We both have  our  good and bad points  and our friendship  lasted so long because we  accepted each  other  with our faults.We had no ego issues  between  us.Chintu  would  regret  what he said  or did  and then  apologize the next day. I was also quick to  say sorry to him when I erred. That’s why we remained so close.”

Looking back on their unique friendship Rakesh Roshan says, “We  first met when  we worked together  in  the  musical Khel Khel Mein. We hit it off instantly  .We had  so much in common. That’s when  our professional and  personal association began . No matter  how busy we got  we would meet  3-4 times  a week . A friendship requires commitment  and  time to  last.”

Rakesh remembers  many vacation of  the two families together.  “We went on many holidays  together Chintu, Neetu, Ranbir, me ,my wife Pinky, Duggu(son Hrithik Roshan) and Susanne. Those  times  will never return. But the memories will remain  with me. I find it hard to believe  that Chintu is gone.I feel he is  still with me  that he  will call any moment.Sadly I couldn’t attend his  last rites because of my own health condition.”

Fully cured  of cancer Rakesh  Roshan is  taking no chances.  “I  eat well, sleep well and exercise daily.I  hope to start my new film after  September.”