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Actor-filmmaker Shashi Kapoor, who starred in over 100 Hindi films and best known for powerful portrayals in hits such as Namak Halaal, Deewar and Kabhie Kabhie, was on Monday chosen for the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke award, the highest official recognition for film personalities in India.
The 77-year-old actor, who is wheelchair bound and has been ailing from kidney problems, is the third from his family to get the award, after father Prithviraj Kapoor and elder brother Raj Kapoor.
The award consists of a Swarn Kamal (golden lotus), a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh and a shawl, an official announcement here said. The award is given on the basis of recommendations of a committee of eminent persons set up by the government, the statement added.
A five-member jury unanimously recommended Kapoor’s name, who has carved out an equally successful career in alternative international cinema and theatre, for the award.
He will be the 46th recipient of the award.
Born in 1938, Kapoor hit the spotlight from the age of four acting in plays directed and produced by his father, while travelling with Prithvi Theatres. He started acting in films as a child in the late 1940s.
His best known performances as child artiste were in Aag (1948) and Awaara (1951), where he played the younger version of the character played by Raj Kapoor. Shashi Kapoor also worked as assistant director in the 1950s.
Kapoor made his debut as a leading man in the 1961 film Dharmputra and went on to appear in more than 116 films during ’60s, ’70s and the mid-’80s.
One of India’s first actors to go international, Kapoor starred in many 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).
He also starred in other British and American films such as Siddhartha (1972) and Muhafiz (1994).
Kapoor’s nephew, Rishi Kapoor congratulated him on Twitter, saying, “Yes! Shashi Kapoor to get the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke award for contribution to Indian Cinema. Well deserved uncle. God Bless! (sic)”
Kapoor had a hit pairing with Nanda, with whom he starred in eight romantic films, including Jab Jab Phool Khilen, Neend Hamari Khwab Tumhare and Char Diwari, with many memorable songs composed by R D Burman and crooned by Mohammad Rafi.
He also worked with actresses like Raakhee, Sharmila Tagore, Zeenat Aman, Hema Malini, Parveen Babi and Moushumi Chatterjee.
In 1978, Kapoor 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).
He also produced and directed a fantasy film titled Ajooba, which had Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor in the lead role.
Side Streets, a 1998 Merchant Ivory film, directed by Tony Gerber, was Kapoor’s last acting venture. The film featured Valeria Golino, Shabana Azmi, Miho Nikaido, Art Malik, Victor Argo, Rosario Dawson, and Jennifer Esposito.
Kapoor is instrumental in reviving the Prithvi theatre group. He was married to British actress Jennifer Kendal, with whom he co-starred in films like Bombay Talkie and Junoon. They had three children — Kunal, Karan and Sanjana Kapoor.
Jennifer died of cancer in 1984. Sanjana now looks after Prithvi theatre.
Kapoor was honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2011.
In and out of hospital in recent years, Kapoor was in September last year admitted for chest infection. Earlier, he had undergone bypass and cataract surgery. He was also on dialysis.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Arun Jaitley conveyed his congratulations on the occasion. His deputy, Rajyavardhan Rathore said, “Congrats to Cinema Legend Shashi Kapoor for Dadasaheb Phalke Award. His sensitive portrayal of human emotions has touched many a heart.”
SILVER SCREEN HERO
- Shashi Kapoor is best known for his powerful performances in Deewar, Kabhie Kabhie and Namak Halaal
- As a child artist, he played the younger version of the character played by his brother Raj Kapoor in Aag and Awaara
- He made his debut in a leading role in the 1961 film Dharmputra
- He starred in many British and American films, such as The Householder, Shakespeare Wallah, Bombay Talkie and Heat and Dust
