Shashi Kapoor Songs Lyrics

About Shashi Kapoor

Shashi Kapoor was born as Balbir Raj Kapoor on 18 March 1938 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India, now Kolkata, West Bengal. He was the youngest son of legendary theatre and film actor Prithviraj Kapoor and belonged to the renowned Kapoor family of Indian cinema. His elder brothers included Raj Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor.

He began acting as a child artist and appeared in films including Aag (1948) and Awara (1951). He later worked with his father's Prithvi Theatres, gaining valuable experience in theatre before establishing himself as an adult film actor.

Shashi Kapoor made his adult leading-man debut with Dharmputra (1961), directed by Yash Chopra. After several early films, he achieved major commercial success with Waqt (1965) and Jab Jab Phool Khile (1965). These films established him as a leading romantic star.

During the 1970s and 1980s, he became one of the most successful actors in Hindi cinema. He appeared in major films including Deewaar, Kabhi Kabhie, Trishul, Suhaag, Kranti, Roti Kapada Aur Makaan, Chori Mera Kaam, and Namak Halaal. His frequent pairing with Amitabh Bachchan produced several iconic films, particularly Deewaar, Kabhi Kabhie, Trishul, Silsila and Namak Halaal.

Shashi Kapoor also had a significant international career. He worked extensively with Merchant Ivory Productions in films such as The Householder, Shakespeare Wallah, Siddhartha, In Custody and other English-language productions. He was among the earliest Indian mainstream stars to establish a substantial presence in British and international cinema.

Alongside commercial cinema, he supported parallel and art-house cinema and produced critically acclaimed films such as Junoon (1978), Kalyug (1981), 36 Chowringhee Lane (1981) and Vijeta (1982). He also played acclaimed dramatic roles in films such as Junoon, Kalyug, Vijeta and New Delhi Times.

Shashi Kapoor was married to English actress Jennifer Kendal from 1958 until her death in 1984. Together they had three children—Kunal Kapoor, Karan Kapoor and Sanjana Kapoor. He was also closely involved with Prithvi Theatre in Mumbai, helping preserve his family's theatrical legacy.

For his contribution to Indian cinema, he received the Padma Bhushan in 2011 and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2014. He also received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010.

Shashi Kapoor died on 4 December 2017 in Mumbai at the age of 79.

Personal Details

• Name: Shashi Kapoor
• Birth Name: Balbir Raj Kapoor
• Profession: Actor, Film Producer, Director
• Birth Date: 18 March 1938
• Birth Place: Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India (now Kolkata, West Bengal, India)
• Death Date: 4 December 2017
• Death Place: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• Age at Death: 79
• Child Artist: Aag (1948)
• Adult Film Debut: Dharmputra (1961)
• Notable Films: Waqt, Jab Jab Phool Khile, Sharmilee, Deewaar, Kabhi Kabhie, Trishul, Suhaag, Kranti, Namak Halaal, Junoon, Kalyug, New Delhi Times
• Padma Bhushan: 2011
• Dadasaheb Phalke Award: 2014
• Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award: 2010
• Father: Prithviraj Kapoor
• Brothers: Raj Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor
• Wife: Jennifer Kendal
• Children: Kunal Kapoor, Karan Kapoor and Sanjana Kapoor