Comedian and actor Vir Das recently opened up about his memorable, and rather amusing, encounters with the late Rishi Kapoor, offering a blend of nostalgia and laughter as he recalled moments spent with the legendary star.

Speaking on the podcast 'Moment of Silence' with hosts Sakshi Shivdasani and Naina Bhan, Vir shared two unforgettable interactions with Rishi - one during the filming of 'Namaste London', and another years later during an unexpected meeting aboard a flight.

Vir Das remembers first meeting with Rishi Kapoor

Recalling their first meeting, Vir said Rishi Kapoor once described him as a "cool guy." The veteran actor had asked for his name and then extended a hand for a shake. Vir, ever the humorist, joked that the gesture made him feel like one of Rishi’s film heroines, completely overwhelmed by his aura.

He added, “Rishi Kapoor then praised Vir, calling him a great actor and asking him to promise to continue acting.”

Rishi and Neetu Kapoor's fight over cake

Years later, their paths crossed again - this time at 30,000 feet. Vir recounted sitting toward the rear of the aircraft when he overheard a couple bickering in business class.

“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?’ Then, Rishi Kapoor stands up,” Vir narrated.

To his surprise, Rishi Kapoor spotted him, walked to his seat, and struck up a conversation, reminiscing about his early days and contemporaries. But the best part of the story?

“He’s like, ‘Arre, Vir.’ He comes and sits down next to me, and he tells me this story… Then at some point, he’s like, ‘You’re going to eat your cake?’ Then Rishi Kapoor ate my cake,” Vir said with a laugh.

Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh

Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh, one of Indian cinema’s most iconic couples, tied the knot on January 22, 1980. Their love story, both on and off the screen, captured the hearts of millions. Together, they delivered several blockbusters in the ‘70s and ‘80s — including Khel Khel Mein, Kabhi Kabhie, Rafoo Chakkar, Amar Akbar Anthony, and Besharam.

The beloved actor passed away on April 30, 2020, after a long battle with leukaemia. He was 67. His final film, Sharmaji Namkeen, released posthumously in 2022, with Paresh Rawal completing the remaining portions after Rishi's demise.