Shashi Kapoor  (born Balbir Raj Kapoor) was an Indian Actor and Film Producer who is best known for his work in  Hindi Films. Shashi Kapoor is one of the leading actors of Indian Cinema having appeared in 160 movies – 12 in English and 148 in Hindi. He has appeared in 148 Hindi films – of them played the solo lead hero in 61 films, was lead hero in 53 released multi star cast Hindi films, and 2 1 Hindi films had him in supporting role, worked in 4 films as a child artist and made 7 guest appearances.

Kapoor acted in plays, directed and produced by his father  Prithviraj Kapoor, while travelling with  Prithvi Theatres. He started acting in films as a child in the late 1940s under the name of Shashiraj. His best-known performances as a child actor were in  Aag (1948) and  Awaara (1951), where he played the younger version of the characters played by his older brother  Raj Kapoor,  and in  Sangram (1950), where he played the younger version of  Ashok Kumar  and  Dana Paani (1953) where he acted with  Bharat Bhushan. He worked in four Hindi films as a child artiste from 1948 to 1954.

Kapoor got an opportunity to work as an Assistant Director in the film  Post Box 999, the debut film of  Sunil Dutt, and worked as an Assistant Director to  Ravindra Dave  in  Guest House (1959), which was followed by movies such as  Dulha Dulhan  and Shriman Satyawadi, where  Raj Kapoor  was the lead hero.

His first role as an adult in  Yash Chopra‘s political drama Dharmputra (1961).

Actress  Nanda, who was an established star at her time,  signed 8 Hindi films with Kapoor, as she believed that he could deliver good performances. Their first two films as a pair were the critically acclaimed romantic film  Char Diwari (1961) and  Mehndi Lagi Mere Haath (1962). In the 1960s, Kapoor acted in several romantic films opposite Nanda, including Mohabbat Isko Kahete Hain (1965),  Jab Jab Phool Khile (1965),  Neend Hamari Khwab Tumhare (1966),  Raja Saab (1969) and  Rootha Na Karo (1970). In an interview in the 1990s, Kapoor declared that Nanda was his favorite actress and that he regarded her as one of his mentors. In another interview, Nanda stated that Shashi Kapoor was her favorite actor.

After their first movie together  Sharmelee became a blockbuster, Raakhee was frequently paired with Kapoor, and they acted in hit films such as  Jaanwar Aur Insaan (1972),  Kabhi Kabhie (1976),  Baseraa (1981), and the critically acclaimed  Trishna (1978). However,  Doosara Aadmi (1977),  Bandhan Kuchchey Dhaagon Ka (1983),  Bandh Honth (1984), and  Zameen Aasmaan (1985).  He starred with Sharmila Tagore in hits such as Waqt (1965),  Aamne Samne (1967),  Suhana Safar (1970),  Aa Gale Lag Jaa (1973),  Vachan (1974), Paap Aur Punya (1974),  Swati (1986), the critically acclaimed  New Delhi Times (1985), which fetched Kapoor a  National Film Award  for Best Actor in 1986. Other films with Sharmila, such as  My Love (1970),  Anari (1975),  Gehri Chot (1983),  Maa Beti (1986) and  Ghar Bazar (1998). With  Zeenat Aman, he worked in hit films such as Chori Mera Kaam (1975),  Deewaangee (1976),  Roti Kapda Aur Makan (1974), Heeralal Pannalal (1978), Pakhandi (1984),  Bhavani Junction (1985),  Satyam Shivam Sundaram (1978). He did 10 films opposite Hema Malini. As a pair, Shashi and Hema Malini  had 7 hits such as  Abhinetri,  Aap Beati,  Trishul,  Aandhi Toofan,  Apna Khoon,  Maan Gaye Ustaad,  Do Aur Do Paanch.

Kapoor’s other successful movies include  Haseena Maan Jayegi (1968) and  Ek S hriman Ek Shrimati (1969), both with  Babita,  Kanyadan (1968). He did ‘double role’ film, of which were box-office hits – Haseena Maan Jayegi.   Pyar Ka Mausam (1969), opposite  Asha Parekh,  Chor Machaye Shor  opposite  Mumtaz,   Bezubaan  with  Reena Roy,  Chakkar Pe Chakkar (1976),  Kali Ghata (1980),  Kalyug (1981),  Vijeta (1982) and  Pyaar Ki Jeet (1987) all with  Rekha  and  Bepanaah (1985) with  Rati Agnihotri. Other films include multi-starrers such as  Dil Ne Pukara (1967),  Trishul (1978),  Neeyat (1980),  Aandhi Toofan (1985),  Naina (1973),  Phaansi (1978),  Salaakhen (1975),  Fakira (1976), and  Junoon (1978). He also worked with  Rajesh Khanna  in  Prem Kahani.

He made a popular pairing with  Amitabh Bachchan and the two co-starred in a total of 12 films :  Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974),  Deewaar (1975),  Kabhi Kabhie (1976),  Trishul (1978),  Kaala Patthar (1979),  Suhaag (1979), Do Aur Do Paanch (1980),  Shaan (1980), and  Namak Halaal (1982) were hits.  He is particularly famous for his role in  Deewaar (1975), a film  about two brothers on opposing sides of the law, with Kapoor playing a cop. One of his lines in the film, “Mere paas Maa hai” (“I have mother”), is a famous phrase hat has become part of Indian popular culture.

Shashi Kapoor was also regularly cast with the acclaimed  Sanjeev Kumar  in films like  Mukti (1977),  Trishul (1978),  Swayamvar (1980),  Sawaal (1982) and  Pakhandi (1984).

He was also known internationally for starring in British and American films, notably  Merchant Ivory  productions run by  Ismail Merchant  and  James Ivory, such as  The Householder (1963), Shakespeare Wallah (1965),  Bombay Talkie (1970) and  Heat and Dust (1982), in which he co-starred with his wife  Jennifer Kendal, The Deceivers (1988) and Side Streets (1998). He also starred in other British and American films, such as  Pretty Polly  (A Matter Of Innocence) (1967) opposite  Hayley Mills, Siddhartha (1972),  Sammy and Rosie Get Laid (1987) and  Muhafiz (1994). James Ivory directed Kapoor in the first  Merchant Ivory  production  The Householder, then in  Shakespeare-Wallah,  Bombay Talkie  and  Heat and Dust, while  Ismail Merchant  directed him in  In Custody (1993). Kapoor won a National (special jury) for his performance for film  In Custody.  He was the first Indian actor to work extensively in  Hollywood  films and  British films.

In 1978, he set up his own production house, Film Valas, which produced critically acclaimed films such as  Junoon (1978),  Kalyug (1981),  36 Chowringhee Lane (1981),  Vijeta (1982) and  Utsav (1984). He won two Filmfare Best Movie Awards for his work as producer and star of  Junoon (1979) and  Kalyug (1981). In 1991, he produced and directed a fantasy  film titled  Ajooba.

In 1998, he retired from acting after his final film appearances in  Jinnah  and  Side Streets. He was seen in the limelight at the  Shashi Kapoor Film Festival  held in  Muscat,  Oman  (September 2007). At the  55th Annual Filmfare Awards  in 2010, Shashi Kapoor received the  Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award.

When Shashi Kapoor was in Kolkata to work, he could be found at room number 17 at Fairlawn Hotel. The 238 year-old hotel has been restored and renamed as Elgin Fairlawn  when Elgin Hotels & Resorts took over the ownership a few years back.  This room has now been renamed as the Shashi Kapoor Room as a tribute.

In 2011, the  Government of India  honored him with the  Padma Bhushan  for his contributions to  Indian Cinema.

Photo courtesy Google. Excerpts taken from Google.