Born on 18 March 1938,Shashi Kapoor turns 79 today.He is the 3rd and the youngest son of Prithviraj Kapoor; the younger brother of Raj Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor.
From the age of four, Shashi Kapoor acted in plays directed and produced by his father Prithviraj Kapoor.He first appeared in films in the 1948 film AAG where he played the younger version of the characters played by his eldest brother Raj Kapoor and then he appeared in Sangram (1950), where he played younger version of Ashok Kumar. He worked in four Hindi films as a child artist from 1948 to 1954.
He 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 the 60s he was paired with Nanda and both gave many Hit films, Jab Jab Phool Khile (1965) was prominent among them.Later he formed on screen pairs with Raakhee, Sharmila Tagore, Zeenat Aman from the late sixties to the mid eighties.
In 1978, he set up his production house, Film Valas, which produced critically acclaimed films such as Junoon (1978), Kalyug (1981), 36 Chowringhee Lane (1981), Vijeta (1982) and Utsav (1984).In 1991 he produced and directed a fantasy film titled Ajooba which had his frequent co-star Amitabh Bachchan and nephew Rishi Kapoor in the lead.
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 theFilmfare Best Supporting Actor Award in 1976 for Deewar.He also recieved Filmfare Best Movie Award for Junoon 1980 and Kalyug 1982.He got National Film Award for Best Actor for New Delhi Times in 1986
He 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. Geoffrey Kendal's Shakespearean group was also present at the same time in Calcutta and Jennifer was Geoffrey's daughter. After their subsequent meeting, 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 Kapoor. 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 active as an Actor.
For the last few years his health is not permitting him to appear in Public,He recieved Dada Saheb Phalke Award on Wheel Chair assisted by his daughter.
Some of Shashi kapoor's Hit Songs
Song from Jab Jab Phool Khile
Song from Neend Hamari Khwab Tumhare 1966
Song from Haseena Maan Jayegi 1968
Song from Pyar Ka Mausam 1969
Song from Sharmilee 1971
Song from Aa Gale Lag Jaa 1973
Song from Chor Machaye Shor 1974
Song from Chor Machaye Shor 1974
Song from Fakira 1976
Song from Trishul 1978
Song from Suhaag 1979
