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A Promising Handshake and a Cake Fight: Vir Das Recalls Rishi Kapoor
Updated on: 17 July, 2025 02:04 PM IST |Amruta Karulkar
Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Kapoor
Comedian-actor Vir Das recently shared some truly memorable encounters with the late, legendary actor Rishi Kapoor on Sakshi Shivdasani and Naina Bhan’s Moment of Silence podcast. From a prophetic handshake to a hilarious cake dispute, Das`s anecdotes paint a vivid picture of the charismatic star.
What followed was a powerful prediction. Rishi Kapoor, with a firm grip, told Vir, "Beta, tu bohot accha actor hai. Shake my hand and promise me you’ll keep acting." This brief yet impactful interaction left a lasting impression on Das, who felt it was the encouragement he truly needed to pursue his acting career.
Also Read: Zeenat Aman Reveals That Rishi Kapoor Had to Use 2 Cushions to Reach Her Height
To Das`s surprise, Rishi Kapoor then got up and came to sit with him. The veteran actor proceeded to share stories about other industry stalwarts before, in a quintessential Rishi Kapoor move, asking Das, "You’re going to eat your cake?" and promptly eating Vir`s cake himself. "Then Rishi Kapoor ate my cake," Vir concluded, highlighting the actor`s endearing and unpredictable nature.
Rishi Kapoor, who passed away on April 30, 2020, at the age of 67 after a two-year battle with leukaemia, left behind a legacy of iconic films and cherished memories, as evidenced by Vir Das`s delightful recollections. He and Neetu Kapoor, married on January 22, 1980, starred in numerous hits like Amar Akbar Anthony and Khel Khel Mein, inspiring generations with their on-screen chemistry and off-screen bond. His final film, Sharmaji Namkeen, was released posthumously.
A Prophetic First Meeting
Vir Das first crossed paths with Rishi Kapoor during the filming of Namaste London, where he had a brief role. Das recounted the veteran actor`s immediate warmth: "Cool guy. Rishi Kapoor is like, ‘Beta, tera naam kya hai?’ I said, ‘Sir, Vir Das.’ He said, ‘Shake my hand, son.’" Vir humorously described the effect of the handshake, saying, "When you shake Rishi Kapoor’s hand, you become Tina Munim from Karz. You know what I mean? All your masculine energy just drains, and you are his heroine in that moment."What followed was a powerful prediction. Rishi Kapoor, with a firm grip, told Vir, "Beta, tu bohot accha actor hai. Shake my hand and promise me you’ll keep acting." This brief yet impactful interaction left a lasting impression on Das, who felt it was the encouragement he truly needed to pursue his acting career.
Also Read: Zeenat Aman Reveals That Rishi Kapoor Had to Use 2 Cushions to Reach Her Height
The Mid-Air Cake Battle
Years later, fate brought them together again on a flight, leading to a truly comical incident. Vir Das found himself privy to a lively argument between Rishi Kapoor and his wife, Neetu Kapoor, over a piece of cake. "I’m in the back of a flight, and like in the front of the flight, I hear some chikad chikad happening between a couple in business class, ‘You can’t eat the cake.’ ‘I want to eat the cake.’ ‘You’re not allowed to eat the cake. The doctor said no cake.’ ‘I want the bloody cake. What the f**k?’"To Das`s surprise, Rishi Kapoor then got up and came to sit with him. The veteran actor proceeded to share stories about other industry stalwarts before, in a quintessential Rishi Kapoor move, asking Das, "You’re going to eat your cake?" and promptly eating Vir`s cake himself. "Then Rishi Kapoor ate my cake," Vir concluded, highlighting the actor`s endearing and unpredictable nature.
Rishi Kapoor, who passed away on April 30, 2020, at the age of 67 after a two-year battle with leukaemia, left behind a legacy of iconic films and cherished memories, as evidenced by Vir Das`s delightful recollections. He and Neetu Kapoor, married on January 22, 1980, starred in numerous hits like Amar Akbar Anthony and Khel Khel Mein, inspiring generations with their on-screen chemistry and off-screen bond. His final film, Sharmaji Namkeen, was released posthumously.
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