A Legend of Bollywood Passes Away – Shashi Kapoor – A Legacy of Rich Cinematic Content
Shashi Kapoor (1938 – 2017)
Balbir Prithviraj Kapoor, a.k.a Shashi Kapoor, the legendary Indian film actor and producer, passed away on December 4th, 2017 at 5.20 pm, at the age of 79. It is believed that his death was caused due to prolonged liver cirrhosis. Also, he had a kidney problem and was on dialysis for several years.
Shashi Kapoor was the youngest of the three Kapoor brothers – Raj Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor being the others. Together, they would go on to form in what would be regarded as The First Family of Bollywood (Kapoor Khandaan).
A gifted actor like his siblings, Shashi Kapoor started his film career as a child artiste, acting in four Hindi films from 1948 to 1954. Shashi Kapoor made his debut as a leading man in the 1961 film Dharmputra and went on to appear in over 160 films.
Shashi Kapoor – A Man, A Legend
He was the embodiment of romance and charm playing the smart and cool romantic-action hero, and he ruled the hearts of movie buffs in the 1970s and 80s with blockbusters like Sharmili, Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Kala Patthar, Deewar and Trishul. Kapoor also built the iconic Prithvi Theatre in Bombay, which gave a major boost to quality Hindi theatre in the coming decades.
During the 70s, Shashi Kapoor was renowned for signing films left, right and centre; rumours abounded that he had signed a hundred movies. The actor was so busy with shooting schedules that he sometimes worked in three shifts. His elder brother, Raj Kapoor, once compared him to “a taxi” as he was unable to get the dates from his sibling for the film, Satyam Shivam Sundaram.
Amitabh Bachchan on His Friendship With Shashi Kapoor
Veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan, who worked with Kapoor on several superhit movies like Suhaag, Trishul, Kabhi Kabhie, Namak Halal etc., was a long-time friend of the deceased. Bachchan rushed to offer his condolences to the family and also penned a moving tribute to Shashi Kapoor.
Mere Pass Maa Hai
Standing elegantly without a care in the world, I saw him standing by a Mercedes Sports car, a convertible, a smart trimmed beard and moustache, adorning involuntarily, the face of this incredibly handsome man. It was a picture that filled almost an entire page of a magazine. Shashi Kapoor … son of Prithviraj Kapoor, younger brother to Raj Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor, making a debut in a forthcoming film, is what the caption read .. And I said to myself, as very uncertain thoughts raced through my mind of wanting to become a film actor, that, with men like him around, I stood no chance at all.
1969, and those early years of efforts to join the Industry were also the times when there was a close proximity, to the area of an atmosphere, that swivelled around this most attractive man. On and off, common friends in the Industry, which I was just getting acquainted with, would introduce me to him at select social gatherings. ‘Shashi Kapoor!’ was what one heard as he extended a warm soft hand out to you in introduction; that devastating smile complimenting the twinkle in his eyes. He needn’t have done so. Everyone knew him. But this was his infectious humble self. When he spoke, there was a mischievous, gentle, almost inaudible, delicate, yodel, in his voice – most endearing and comforting to the one he was introduced to. The self-introduction habit was a gem. The one being introduced to, was, quite obviously, prompted to say his or her name as well, when they heard his. It was a remarkable tool to come to know the other person’s name.. and.. if and when there was to be another meeting after many forgettable years, the same technology was most helpful in remembering the other person’s name, in case you had forgotten it..!!
The next .. was his semi curly hair on head, falling carelessly over his forehead and ears, not quite covering it .. and my upper story mumbled again : ‘Hey! Maybe you should think of covering your ears as well ..’ and off I went to Hakim the hairdresser at Taj Hotel with my plan .. and executed, it remained till date.
He had been ailing… Somewhere he had let himself go after the passing away of his dear wife Jennifer .. I had visited him on occasion in Hospital during some of the times he had been hospitalised earlier .. but I never went to see him again .. I would never have .. I never ever wanted to see this beautiful friend and ‘samdhi’ in the state I saw him in hospital… and I did not today, when they informed me that he had gone.
He fondly addressed me as ‘Babbua’ .. and, with him have gone many incredible unread chapters of his and my life.
— Amitabh Bachchan
Shashi Kapoor – Saying Our Goodbyes
Though never a fan of awards, Shashi Kapoor was honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2011 and received the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke award in 2015. Celebrities and politicians all over country condoled the death of the popular actor through social media sites like Twitter and Facebook etc.
Shashi Kapoor, 79, took his last breath at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Bombay. The celebrated thespian is survived by two sons, Kunal and Karan, and a daughter, Sanjana.
Rest In Peace.
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