Shashi Kapoor

This award-winning persona needs no introduction, as the name says it all! Apart from ruling the silver screen as an actor, Shashi Kapoor has worked also as an assistant director and a film director. Shashi Kapoor was born on 18th March, 1938 in Kolkata. His original name is Balbir Raj Prithviraj Kapoor. Shashi Kapoor is the son of the legendary actor Prithviraj Kapoor and younger brother of Raj Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor. English actress Jennifer Kendal was the wife of the actor. He is father of Bollywood actor Kunal Kapoor, Karan Kapoor and Sanjana Kapoor. Kapoor finished his schooling from Don Bosco High School in Mumbai. On 5th November, 1978, the actor established Prithvi theatre in Mumbai along with his wife Jennifer. Jennifer Kendal died of Cancer in the year 1984.

The veteran actor featured in around 161 movies; out of these, 62 films contained his solo performance and 54 films were comprising of multi-star cast. In 21 flicks, he appeared in supporting role, while 19 films saw him as a child artist. In 5 movies, Kapoor was seen in guest appearance. 12 English movies are at the credit of this talented actor. Government of India honored him with prestigious Padma Bhushan Award in the year 2011. As a child, he acted in plenty of mythological and commercial movies like 'Tadbir' (1945) and 'Bachpan' (1945). The film 'Aag' (1948) and 'Awara' (1951) were his best performances as child artist. In these films, he portrayed younger Raj Kapoor. 'Post Box 999' was the film with which Shashi Kapoor commenced working as an assistant director. It was the debut film of Sunil Dutt. 'Guest House' (1959) again witnessed Kapoor as an assistant director. Apart from this, the other films like 'Shriman Satyawadi' and 'Dulha Dulhan' were the ones that had Shashi Kapoor as an assistant director. In these flicks, Raj Kapoor played the lead role.

Shashi Kapoor debuted as lead hero in the film 'Dharamputra' in 1961. During 1960's and 1970's, Kapoor was a famous debonair actor in Bollywood. The iconic actor went on working with the actresses like Zeenat Aman, Rekha, Raakhee, Sharmila Tagore, Asha Parekh, Parveen Babi, Babita, Reena Roy, Hema Malini, Moushumi Chatterjee, Rati Agnihotri, Poonam Dhillon, Neetu Singh and many more. Some of his prominent films include 'Neend Hamari Khwab Tumhare', 'Rootha Na Karo', 'New Delhi Times' (1986), 'Bhawani Junction' (1985), 'Ajooba' (1991), 'Manoranjan' (1974), 'Bandhan Kachchey Dhaagonka', 'Heeralal Pannalal', 'Doosra Aadmi', 'Krodhi', 'Roti Kapada Aur Makaan', 'Waqt' (1965), 'Satyam Shivam Sundaram' (1978), 'Chori Mera Kaam', 'My Love' (1970), 'Baseraa', 'Aa Gale Lag Jaa', 'Kanyadaan', 'Pyar Ka Mausam', 'Aamne Samne' (1967), 'Pighalta Aasman', 'Phaansi'.

Apart from this, the actor also left an unforgettable impression in films, such as 'Kalyug' (1981), 'Chakkar Pe Chakkar', 'Naina' (1973), 'Fakira', 'Aandhi Toofan', 'Vijeta' (1983), 'Trishul' (1978), 'Swayamvar' (1980), 'Namak Halal' (1982), 'Mukti' (1977), 'Sawaal' (1982), 'Shankar Dada', 'Bepanaah' (1985), 'Sindoor' (1987), 'Muqaddar' (1978), 'Abhinetri' (1970) and to list a few. Shashi Kapoor became one of the highest paid actors during 1970's, overriding his male co-stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor, Vinod Khanna, Randhir Kapoor and Jeetendra. However, the actors like Sanjeev Kumar, Pran and Rajesh Khanna still were ahead of Shashi Kapoor in terms of moolah part.

Having a quick glance at Hollywood films by Kapoor, they include 'The Householder' (1963), 'Heat and Dust' (1982), 'Shakespeare Wallah' (1965), 'Sammy and Rosie Get Laid' (1987), 'Bombay Talkie' (1970), 'Pretty Polly: A Matter Of Innocence' (1967), 'The Deceivers' (1988), 'Side Streets' (1998), etc. 'Vozvrashcheniye Bagdadskogo Vora' was the Russian film done by Shashi Kapoor in the year 1988.

Looking at the awards received by this talented actor, the awards include National Film Award for Best Actor in 1986, National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi as a producer for the film 'Junoon', Special Jury Award for the film 'Muhafiz'. In the year 2010, he was conferred with Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award. For the movie 'Deewaar',he received Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award. 'Jab Jab Phool Khilen' was the film for which he achieved Bengal Film Journalists' Association Award. In 2011, Shashi Kapoor won Mohammed Rafi Award. The versatile actor bagged Lifetime Achievement Award at The 7th Pune International Film Festival and The 11th Mumbai Film Festival.

In the year 2012, a cataract surgery was performed on Shashi Kapoor in Mumbai.