By Jagmohan Singh Barhok

Born Balbir Raj Kapoor , Shashi Kapoor was the youngest of three sons of Prithvi Raj Kapoor. The father wanted his sons to stand on their own feet and carve a niche for themselves of their own. Raj Kapoor, the eldest, initially worked on a monthly salary & went home in the late evenings on foot while his father enjoyed the luxury of a car. This background enabled Rajkapoor to eventually become a star director and show- man in his own right. Shammi Kapoor was gifted with a dancing feet and was sort of romantic lad who rose to stardom with “Tumsa Nahin Dekha, “Ujala” and ” Kashmir Ki Kali”. Shashi Kapoor, however, was not lucky enough to taste stardom until “Jab Jab Phool Khile” in 1965 opposite Nanda. She is a visitor who stays at his luxury boat and he falls for her.She too later develops an emotional rapport sort or inkling. The film is remembered for its songs ‘Pardesiyon Se Na Akhiyaan Milana’ and ‘Yeh Sama ,Sama Hai Yeh Pyaar Ka’.

Yash Chopra’s “Deewar” which proved a mile stone & established Amitabh Bachchan, also proved a gold mine sort for him to rub shoulders with other biggies in the film industry, needless to mention names. Shashi Kapoor formed on screen pairs with Raakhee, Sharmila Tagore and Zeenat Aman from the late sixties to the mid eighties.

” Waqt” ( 1965), “Aamne Samne”, “Sharmelee” (1971) ” Aa Gale Lag Ja” (1973), “Roti Kapada Aur Makaan” (1974), “Kabhi Kabhie” (1976) “Trishna” (1978)), and the critically acclaimed “New Delhi Times” (1985), which fetched him a National Film Award for Best Actor in 1986. Kapoor’s other noteworthy movies include “Haseena Maan Jayegi” (1968) and “Ek Shriman Ek Shrimati” (1969), both with Babita,” Kanyadan” (1968) and “Pyar Ka Mausam” (1969), both opposite Asha Parekh.

Kapoor enjoyed the distinction of being the first Indian actor to work extensively in Hollywood films . His own production company produced some of the finest and highly acclaimed movies like Junoon (1978), Kalyug (1981), 36 Chowringhee Lane (1981) and Utsav (1984). The second last could have won an Oscar but it did not happen as it was represented as an Indian film where as it was to be included as an English film.

I had the opportunity to meet the actor during his visit to Chandigarh to attend the charity-premiere of his film : ” Utsav” in 1985.The proceeds of the show were meant for ‘Nishant’ a voluntary organization which then looked after homeless children.

At a hurriedly- summoned press conference at Hotel Mount View Shashi answered questions on a variety of subjects, but mostly concerning Indian cinema. Some of the questions asked by this writer were too direct, probing and embarrassing, too. But not once did he lose his ‘savoir-faire’. When this writer pointed to some of the trivialities, and absurdities in “Utsav”, especially portraying the learned scholar of sexology, Vatsyayana as a comedian, played by Amjad khan, including the treatment of a delicate subject like ‘adultery by consent’, the actor pulled no punches and accepted that Amjad’s role was dovetailed into the movie to provide a few thrilling moments to the front-benchers. .He made some interesting observations when he was talking to some of his fans and admirers later.

Kapoor’s accolades include Dadasaheb Phalke Award, three National Film Awards, and two Filmfare Awards.

Born this Day in 1938.