Actor Rishi Kapoor's daughter Riddhima Kapoor Sahnihas been given permission to travel by road to Mumbai for his funeral amid thenationwide coronavirus lockdown. Riddhima Kapoor, 39, who is married to anindustrialist and stays in Delhi, had reportedly asked the Union Home Ministrylast night for permission to fly to Mumbai by a chartered flight.
While she sought permission she wastold that it could only be given by Home Minister Amit Shah. As an option, sheasked to be allowed to drive to Mumbai.
She will now travel by road and is expected to reach Mumbai after a 1,400 km-journey, which roughly takes 18 hours. Flights, trains, and inter-state travel have been banned during the lockdown to slow the spread of the highly contagious COVID-19 in the country.
Rishi Kapoor, 67, died in Mumbai on Thursday morning after a long battle with cancer. He was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday. His wife, actor Neetu Kapoor, and son Ranbir Kapoor are in Mumbai.
In a statement, Rishi Kapoor's family said he wouldlike to be remembered by his fans with a smile and not with tears.
The family said, "In this hour of personal loss, we also recognize the world is going through a very difficult and troubled time. There are numerous restrictions around movement and gathering in public. We would like to request all his fans and well-wishers and friends of the family to please respect the laws that are in force. He would not have it any other way."