In my last weekend blog, I had started with Trioka of Bollywood heroes namely Manoj Kumar, Shashi Kapoor & Dharmendra. Last week I wrote about Manoj Kumar, and this week I am covering Shashi Kapoor.
SHASHI KAPOOR
He was born on 18th March 1938. He was youngest son of Prithviraj Kapoor. His real name was Balbir Raj Kapoor. His elder brothers were Raj Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor.
He started his career by acting in plays of his father’s drama company Prithvi Theatres. He started acting as child artist in late 40s under the name of Shashiraj, as there was already another child artist with name of Balbir. He played the part of young Raj Kapoor in Aag (1948) and Awara (1951). He also acted in Sangram( 1950) and Dana Paani (1953).
His career as adult started with he becoming assistant director to director Ravindra Dave. He debuted as a leading man in Dharaputra (1961). But his early films like Dharamputra, Char Diwari, Prem Patra, Mehndi Lagi Mere Haath did not do wonders at the box office, and success eluded him. But he found his first major success with Jab Jab Phool Khile (1965), which was a block buster. In the same year he acted in multi starrer Waqt, where his work was also appreciated, but as he was not leading man the credit of film’s success was no to be his. There after he was accepted as hero in Bollywood romantic films. Some of his successful films of later part of 1960s were Pyar Kiye Ja, Rootha Na Karo, Neend Hamari Khwab Tumhare, Dil Ne Pukara and many more.
In the 70s/80s he formed a hit pairing with Raakhi, Sharmila Tagore and Zeenat Aman. In this period he acted with Raakhi in Sharmilee (1971), Jaanwar Aur Insaan (1972) Kabhi Kabhi (1976), Trishna (1978) Doosra Aadmi (1977) were their most successful films. With Sharmila Tagore he acted in Waqt (1965) Aamne Samne (1967) Suhana Safar (1970) Aa Gale Lag Ja (1973),Anari (1975), New Delhi Times (1985), and few more. With Zeenat Aman he acted in Chori Mera Kaam (1975) Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974),Satyam Shivam Sundram (1978) and many more. He also acted with Hema Malini in 10 films, as some of them are Abhinetri (1973), Aap Beati (1975), Trishul (1978), Jahan Pyar Mile ( 1970). He also acted in few films with Reena Roy..With Asha Parekh in Kanyadaan (1968) and Pyar Ka Mausam (1969).. In the 1970s his elder brother Raj Kapoor, who was directing him in Satyam Shivam Sundram, used to call him Taxi, as he used to shoot for 3 or more films in same day, by allotting few hours to each producer. He had acted with with Amitabh Bachchan in many films like Deewar (1975), Kabhi Kabhi (1976) Trishul (19780, Kala Pathar I1979), Suhaag (1979), Do aur Do Paanch (1980), Shaan (1980), Silsila (1981), Namak Halal were most successful films. His dialogue in confrontation scene in Deewar with Amitabh Bachchan “Mere Paas Maa Hai” is considered as one of the best iconic dialogue in Hindi films.
Hev also acted with Sanjeev Kumar in many films, some of them were Mukti (1977), Trishul (1978) Swaymwar( 1980), Sawaal (1982)..
He also acted in many international films such as The Householder I1963), Shakespeare Wallah (1965), Bombay Talkie (1970), Heat and Dust (1982), The Deceivers (1988) and Side Streets (1998). His other international films were A matter of Inocence (1967), Siddhartha (1972), Sammy and Rosie Get Laid (1987), Muhafiz (1994), In custody (1993). He was the first Indian actor to work intensive in British and Hollywood films.
After his wife Jennifer Kendell expired in early 80s, he started putting on weight and slowly heroes roles were eluding him, and then he started doing character roles. In this period he also directed a film called Ajooba with Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor. The film did not do well at the box office. In 1998 he retired from films. He regarded Rajesh Khanna and Sanjeev Kumar as the most versatile actors of Hindi cinema among his contemporaries along with 2 senior actors Ashok Kumar and Pran.
In 1978 he started his production house ‘ Film Valas’ which produce critical films like Junoon (1978), Kalyug (1981), 36 Chowringee Lane (1981) and Utsav (1984).
He had three children Kunal Kapoor, Karan Kapoor and Sanjana Thapar. Kunal acted in few Hindi films, Karan also tried in films but both were not successful. Sanjana was earlier managing the Prthvi Theatres, which is being managed by Kunal now.
Shashi Kapoor expired due to chest infection on 4th December 2017.
Most popular songs of Shashi Kapoor
1 Pardesiyon Se in Ankhiyan Milana –Jab Jab Phool Khile (F), Mohd Rafi (S), Anand Bakshi (L), Kalyanji Anandji (MD)
2 Na Na Karte Pyar Tumhi Se Kar Baithe- Jab Jab Phool Khile (F), Suman Kalyanpur & Mohd Rafi (S), Anand Bakhi (L), Kalyanji Anandji (MD). On screen with Nanda.
3 Khilte Hain Gul Yahan, Khil Ke Bichad Ne Ko- Sharmeeli (F), Kishore kumar (S), Neeraj (L), SD Burman (MD).
4 Tera Mujhse hai Pehle Ka Nata Koi- Aa Gale Lag Ja (F) Kishore Kumar (S), Sahir Ludhianavi (L), RD burman (MD).
5 Tum Bin Jaaon Kahan- Pyar Ka Mausam (F), Mohd Rafi (S), Majrooh Sultanpuri (L), RD Burman (MD).
6 Le Jaayeng Le Jaayenge, Dilwale Dulhania Le jayenge- Chor Machaye Shor (F), Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle (S), Ravindra Jain (L & MD). On screen with Mumtaz.
7 Yama Yama Ye Khubsoorat Saman- Shaan (F), Mohd Rafi & RD Burman (S), Anand bakshi (L), RD Burman (MD). On screen with Amitabh Bachchan.
8 Mohabbat Bade Kaam Ki Cheez Hai- Trishul (F), Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar & Yesudas (S), Sahir Ludhianvi (L), Khayyam (MD). On screen with Hema malini and Amitabh Bachchan.
9 BeKhudi Mein Sanam, Uth Gaye Jo Kadam- Haseena Maan Jaayegi (F), Mohd Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar (S), Anand Bakshi (L), Kalyanji Anandji (MD). On screen with Babita.
10 Likhe Jo Khat Tujhe, Who Teri Yaad Mein- Kanyadaan (F), Mohd Rafi (S), Neeraj (L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD)
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Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
18th December 2020