Shashi Kapoor

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in Papa’s Prithvi Theatre. Being chubby and good-looking he was soon spotted by the advertising world and he did many commercial advertisements. His first tryst with films was in the late 40’s playing the younger version of superstar Ashok Kumar in the hit film Sangram (1950). Further, he did many films as a younger version of Raj Kapoor in films like Aag (1948) and Awaara (1951). He rechristened himself as Shashiraj, The addition of ‘Raj’ was intentional because Raj Kapoor was a huge star hence young Shashi wanted to put weight by showing that he is the younger brother of superstar Raj Kapoor! Young Shashi Kapoor warm relationship with their elder brother Raj Kapoor Raj Kapoor was 14 years older than Shashi Kapoor. Hence Shashi Kapoor always revered him not as his brother but as a father. Recalling his early days with Raj Kapoor, Shashi Kapoor in an interview said, “Being the youngest in the film I was quite naughty and since papaji (father) would be travelling out I would get punishment for my mischievous antics from Raj Bhai.” Recalling an anecdote Shashi Kapoor said, “But even in those punishments I found a tinge of love. I remember once I insisted on eating Chinese food in a hotel. Mother was out and Raj Bhai was busy writing the film script. When I created a scene he got angry and thrashed me a lot. Later when he found me sitting in a corner wiping he hugged me and took me to a nearby Chinese restaurant for lunch.”

Shashi Kapoor started as Assistant Director Shashi Kapoor started his career in films as assistant director in his brother Raj Kapoor’s films Dulhan Dulhan and Shriman Satyawadi. Later he did a few more films as Assistant Director for Sunil Dutt’s debut film Post Box 999 and also for Ravindra Dave in the film Guest House. Shashi Kapoor and Nanda –The irresistible pair When Shashi Kapoor made his debut in Bollywood as a leading actor, no actress of that era wished to act opposite the debutant actor. Finally, Nanda gave her nod and the film Dharamputra was released in 1961. Though the film won the National Award for its superb message on secularism the film was an average hit and Shashi Kapoor had to keep struggling as an actor. But during his struggle, actress Nanda, though a big star did not leave him in a ditch. She was the only actress who willingly acted opposite him and reaped rich dividends in the long run with the mega success of Jab Jab Phool Khilen (1965). The duo did many films like Char Diwari (1961), Mohabbat Isko Kahete Hain (1965), Neend Hamari Khwab Tumhare (1966), Juari (1968), Raja Saab (1969) and Rootha Na Karo (1970) From ‘Jinx’ star to ‘Popular’ star! After the success of Jab Jab Phool Khilen (1965), Shashi Kapoor was flooded with films but incidentally, none of his films was a box office hit. He did many films but all were flops. The media termed him a Jinx star!! Finally, in the year 196,8, he got his first solo hit film Haseena Maan Jayegi (1968) followed by Sharmeelee (1971) and Aa Gale Lag Jaa (1972). Thus Shashi Kapoor was on his way to stardom but suddenly out of the blue Rajesh Khanna hit a six with Aradhana (1969) and within three years he gave a row of 17 hits!! This was followed by another upcoming actor Amitabh Bachchan who with Zanjeer took Rajesh Khanna and actor Shashi Kapoor had to take a back seat in this tug-of-war for stardom! Nevertheless, the trend of multi-star movies saved Shashi Kapoor and his association with regaining superstar Amitabh Bachchan helped Shashi Kapoor to retain stardom. The duo worked in many movies like Deewaar, Roti Kapda Aur Makaan, Kabhi Kabhie, Trishul, Namak Halaal etc. T in the mid 70’s he became the most popular star so much so that even his elder brother Raj Kapoor had to run after him to complete his film, Satyam Shivam Sundaram.