The legendary actor of Hindi Cinema, Shashi Kapoor was born on March 18, 1938. He was the third and youngest son of Prithviraj Kapoor. When he was only four years old, he started working as an artist in plays directed and produced by his father Prithviraj.
Shashi Kapoor also acted as a child artiste in films and is remembered for his roles in Aag and Awara, where he played the younger version of Raj Kapoor.
Remembering Shashi Kapoor on his 83rd Birthday: Journey of the veteran actor in Hindi Cinema
The veteran actor made his debut as a leading man in the 1961 film Dharmputra and went on to appear in 116 Hindi films, including 61 films as the solo lead hero and 55 multi-star-cast films, 21 films as supporting actor and special appearance in 7 films. He also acted in English language films, which include The Householder and Shakespeare-Wallah.
He was a very popular actor in Bollywood during the 60s, 70s, and until the mid-80s. He made a hit Jodi with Amitabh Bachchan in the 70s.The two co-starred in a total of 12 films: Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974), Deewaar (1975), Kabhi Kabhie (1976), Immaan Dharam (1977), Trishul (1978), Kaala Patthar (1979), Suhaag (1979), Do Aur Do Paanch (1980), Shaan (1980), Silsila (1981), Namak Halaal (1982),.
In 2015, he was awarded the 2014 Dadasaheb Phalke Award, making him the third member of his family to receive the highest award in Indian Cinema after Prithviraj Kapoor and Raj Kapoor.
He got the Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award in 1976 for Deewar. He also received Filmfare Best Movie Award for Junoon 1980 and Kalyug 1982. He got National Film Award for Best Actor for New Delhi Times in 1986.
Shashi met English actress Jennifer Kendal in Calcutta in 1956 while both were working for their respective theatre groups. Shashi was both assistant stage manager as well as an actor for his father’s theatre group, Prithvi Theatre.
The couple fell in love and after facing initial opposition from the Kendals and support from sister-in-law Geeta Bali, they got married in July 1958. They had three children: Kunal Kapoor, Karan Kapoor, and Sanjana.
Jennifer and Shashi established Prithvi Theatre on 5 November 1978 in Mumbai. Jennifer died of cancer in 1984 which shattered him. After that, he was not acting as an Actor.
For the last few years, his health is not permitting him to appear in Public, He received Dada Saheb Phalke Award on Wheel Chair assisted by his daughter. The superstar bid adieu to the world on December 4, 2017.
