Mumbai, Mar 18 (UNI) Thespian Shashi Kapoor, whose cinematic oeuvre transcended national boundaries and continues to inspire generations, was born on this date in Kolkata 87 years back.
Late Shashi Kapoor, though a scion of the illustrious Kapoor dynasty and younger brother of Raj Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor, left behind a distinctive stamp of individuality in his magnificent journey as an artist through his intellectual curiosity and an abiding love for the performing arts.
Shashi Kapoor forayed into the industry as a child artist in plays directed by his father, Prithviraj Kapoor, and soon transitioned to cinema, debuting in "Aag" (1948), but it was his role in "Awaara" (1951) that cemented his presence in the public consciousness.
His breakthrough came with "Dharamputra" (1961), and by the 1970s, he became a leading star with hits like "Deewar", "Kabhi Kabhie", "Trishul", and "Namak Halaal". His on-screen charm, often highlighted through his roles opposite stalwarts like Amitabh Bachchan, earned him a special place in the heart of audiences. His famous line in Deewar, "Mere paas maa hai," (my mother is with me) became emblematic of Bollywood's golden era.
Concurrently, Kapoor made noteworthy inroads into international cinema, featuring in landmark productions like "The Householder" (1963), "Shakespeare Wallah" (1965) and "Heat and Dust" (1982), thereby earning global recognition.
An astute producer and visionary, Kapoor established his production house, Film Vala's, in 1978, under which he championed critically acclaimed films like "Junoon", "Kalyug", "36 Chowringhee Lane", "Vijeta" and "Utsav", each marked by artistic integrity and thematic depth. His directorial venture, "Ajooba" (1991), though commercially ambitious,, underscored his penchant for storytelling on an epic scale. He even directed a Russian-language film, "Vozvrashcheniye Bagdadskogo Vora" (1988), further showcasing his global outlook.
Despite personal bereavement - the untimely demise of his wife, British actress Jennifer Kendal in 1984 - Kapoor’s dedication to theatre and cinema remained unwavering. He co-founded Mumbai’s iconic Prithvi Theatre, a cultural bastion that nurtures emerging talent and fosters artistic expression to this day.
He was honoured with the nation's third highest civilian award Padma Bhushan in 2011 and Indian cinema's highest acclaim the Dadasaheb Phalke award in 2015 for his outstanding contribution to films. Earlier, he had won two National Film Award s- one as Best Actor for "New Delhi Times" and another as a producer for "Junoon".
Raj Kapoor's affectionate moniker "Taxi" for the actor hinted at the actor’s non-stop schedule and willingness to help colleagues, often ferrying them around.
His favourite quote, "It will be a great achievement for mankind when a man finally learns to become a human", reflected his core belief in compassion and social responsibility.
Shashi Kapoor passed away in 2017, but his legacy continues through his children Kunal, Karan and Sanjana and grandchild Zahan.
On his 87th birth anniversary, Zahan Kapoor paid homage to Shashi Kapoor in the sweetest way. The actor dropped a couple of throwback pictures of the veteran star on Instagram. Zahan Kapoor's side note read, “Saalgirah dadaji (Happy birth anniversary, grandpa).” UNI XC SSP