MUMBAI, Dec 04 (TNS): Chocolate hero of yesteryears with having the blend of charming looks and killing smile, Shashi Kapoor has passed away at the age of 79 here Kokilaben Hospital on Monday.
Youngest son of the pioneer of Indian film industry’s Prithviraj Kapoor, Shashi had blockbuster films under his belt like jab Jab Phool Khilay, Doosara Aadmi, Zameen Aasman, Jaanwar Aur Insaan, Pighalta Aasman, Suhana Safar, Deewaar ,Trishul ,Kaala Patthar ,Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Kabhi Kabhie , Namak Halaal , Chor Machaye Shor, Haseena Maan Jayegi , Roti Kapada Aur Makaan, Insaniyat , Basera, ,Ghar Ek Mandir etc.
Born on 18 March, 1938, his real name was Balbir Raj Kapoor in erstwhile Calcutta, Shashi Kapoor He featured in almost nearly 200 movies alongside some English language ones with top Hollywood actors like Felicity Kendal and james bond hero Pierce Brosnan beside acting as Pakistan’s founding Fathe Muhammad Ali Jinnah in ‘Jinnah’.
He romanced in films with likes of Sharmila Tagore, Zeenat Aman, Raakhee among others in late 60s till mid 80s.
Padma Bhushan in 2011 and Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2015, Shashi got the best of what the fraternity and the government had to offer.
He was the third member of his family of receive Indian cinema’s highest decorations after his father Raj Kapoor and grandfather Prithviraj Kapoor.
Jennifer Kendal, daughter of a theatre group founder met the man in Calcutta, his birth place, and fell in love with him. Shashi was at the time assistant stage manager and an actor with his father’s theatre group.The two got married after two subsequent years with Kendal’s family objecting to the relation first.
However, Kendal, sister of Hollywood actress Felicity Kendal left the man mourning in 1984 as she passed away of cancer.
‘Doosara Aadmi’ actor is survived by three children namely, Kunal Kapoor, Sanjana Kapoor and Karan Kapoor. Neither of the three continued their careers in films owing to their accented Hindi and non-Indian looks lent by late mother.
The man was one of the very early batch of Indians who worked in European and British films. He worked opposite his sister-in law Felicity in Shakespeare Wallah (1965), Heat and Dust (1982), Pretty Polly, Sammy And Rosie Get Laid (1987) among others.
He began his career early, assisting in his father s travelling Theatre Company and appearing on stage in a production of “Shakuntala”, a classic Hindu love story, at the age of six.
His Bollywood career also began in childhood and he grew into a matinee idol, appearing in more than 150 films and winning over fans with his charm and suave good looks.
