The year 2020 was heartbreaking for both Bollywood and Bollywood fans as they lost two legendary actors within a span of just two days. Irrfan Khan and Rishi Kapoor, who starred together in the 2013 film D-Day passed away on April 29 and April 30, respectively, both due to cancer. Director Nikkhil Advani, who helmed the film found himself reflecting on this tragic coincidence during a recent interview with Lehren Retro. Meanwhile, Advani’s birthday falls on April 28, just before their death anniversaries making the timeline even more poignant for him.
In the exclusive interview, Nikkhil Advani recalled how he learned about Irrfan Khan’s passing on April 29 and immediately reached out to D-Day co-stars Arjun Rampal and Shruti Haasan. While trying to contact Rishi Kapoor, he received no response. Soon after, Kapoor’s secretary informed him that the veteran actor was in critical condition and the very next day, the devastating news of Rishi Kapoor’s passing came in, leaving the filmmaker and the entire industry in deep sorrow.
Advani also spoke about a viral meme that surfaced following their deaths. A meme featuring a scene from D-Day where Irrfan Khan’s character catches Rishi Kapoor’s character – Dawood Ibrahim and they sit next to eachother in a car. Although they shared only one scene in the film, Advani recalled how Rishi Kapoor used to get frustrated with Irrfan Khan’s method of acting.
“Main jaanta hoon tum bahut bade Oscar-winning actor ho! Abhi toh you come from whatever that Life of Pi film but give me my cue! (I know you are a great Oscar-winning actor! You just came from that Life of Pi film, but at least give me my cue!)” Rishi Kapoor would joke with Irrfan during rehearsals, director Nikkhil Advani recalled
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Nikkhil also explained how Rishi Kapoor held a pride in giving cues to his co-stars, but Irrfan Khan known for his improvisational style, would would not give cues. This difference in their approaches to acting sometimes led to humorous exchanges on set. Despite this, both actors deeply respected each other’s craft.
Reminiscing about his experience working with them, Advani shared how rare it is to find such camaraderie among actors today and how he cherishes such moments. For more such rare insights about iconic stars, watch an exclusive interview below with Nikkhil Advani:
D-Day, released on July 19, 2013, was a gripping thriller about a group of intelligence agents attempting to capture India’s most wanted terrorist, Iqbal Seth (Goldman). Despite receiving critical acclaim, the film did not perform well at the box office. However, it remains memorable for its intense storytelling and the performances of Rishi Kapoor, Irrfan Khan, Arjun Rampal, and Shruti Haasan.
The loss of Rishi Kapoor and Irrfan Khan within 24 hours remains an unforgettable moment in Bollywood history. Nikkhil Advani’s memories of working with them highlight the bond they shared, both on and off-screen. Their legacy continues to inspire future generations of actors and filmmakers.
