Shashi Kapoor (b. 1938)
Hindi star, producer and director; son of Prithviraj Kapoor and younger brother of Raj and Shammi Kapoor. Started on the stage aged 6 in his father’s production of Shakuntala (1944). Also acted the child, Raj, in Aag and in Awara. Abandoned studies and worked for Prithvi Theatres; then met Geoffrey Kendall’s touring theatrical group Shakespeareana (which toured India between 1953-6) and joined them in Bangalore, playing Shakespeare in English and eventually marrying actress Jennifer Kendall. Turned to film in 1960. Started working with Merchant-Ivory prod. with The Householder (1963). Achieved a reputation in the West (which peaked as he played the title role in Conrad Rooks’s Siddhartha) and stardom in Indian love stories after Jab Jab Phool Khile, often starring opposite Asha Parekh and Sharmila Tagore. Increasingly caught up in dramatically undemanding films and later played the second principal role in a series of Bachchan films following the success of their Deewar (Kabhi Kabhie, Trishul, Kala Patthar, Shaan). Set up his own company, Film-Valas, to distribute Merchant- Ivory’s Bombay Talkie, branching into production in 1978 with Benegal’s Junoon and Kalyug as well as Aparna Sen’s 36 Chowringhee Lane (1981) and Girish Karnad’s Utsav. Regularly acted in British productions. As an actor he was not often given the chance to stretch himself and his image remains that of a lighthearted, slightly cynical seducer. His major cultural achievements are the works he produced and the revival of the Prithvi Theatre in Bombay in honour of his father. Directed one film, Ajooba, an Indo-Soviet production starring Bachchan in an Arabian Nights spectacular. Returned from semi-retirement to play the ageing Urdu poet in Ismail Merchant’s In Custody. Appeared in episodes of the satirical TV series Siyasat as a Chief Minister. Not to be confused with the older Hindi actor, Shashi Kapoor, who acted mostly in mythologicals.
FILMOGRAPHY (* also d): 1948: Aag; 1950: Sangram; Samadhi; 1951: Awara; 1961: Char Diwari; Dharmaputra; 1962: Prem Patra; Mehndi Lagi Mere Haath; 1963: Holiday In Bombay; The Householder; Yeh Dil Kisko Doon; 1964: Benazir; 1965: Jab Jab Phool Khile; Mohabbat Isko Kehte Hain; Waqt; Shakespeare Wallah; 1966: Biradari; Neend Hamari Khwab Tumhare; Pyar Kiye Jaa; 1967: Pretty Polly; Aamne Samne; Dil Ne Pukara; 1968: Hasina Maan Jayegi; Juari; Kanyadaan; 1969: Ek Shriman Ek Shrimati; Jahan Pyar Mile; Pyar Ka Mausam; Raja Saab; 1970: Bombay Talkie; Abhinetri; My Love; Rootha Na Karo; Suhana Safar; 1971: Patanga; Sharmilee; 1972: Jaanwar Aur Insaan; 1973: Aa Gale Lag Jaa; Chori Chori; Naina; Mr Romeo; 1974: Chor Machaye Shor; Insaniyat; Jeevan Sangram; Paap Aur Punya; Vachan; Roti Kapda Aur Makaan; 1975: Anari; Chori Mera Kaam; Deewar; Prem Kahani; Salaakhen; 1976: Aap Beeti; Deewangee; Fakira; Koi Jeeta Koi Haara; Shankar Dada; Naach Utha Sansar; Kabhi Kabhie; 1977: Chakkar Pe Chakkar; Chor Sipahi; Doosra Admi; Farishta Ya Qatil; Heera Aur Patthar; Imaan Dharam; Mukti (H); 1978: Ahuti; Amar Shakti; Apna Khoon; Atithi; Do Musafir; Heeralal Pannalal; Muqaddar; Phaansi; Rahu Ketu; Satyam Shivam Sundaram; Trishna; Trishul; Junoon; Siddhartha; 1979: Ahsaas; Kali Ghata; Duniya Meri Jeb Mein; Gautam Govinda; Kala Patthar; Suhaag; 1980: Do Aur Do Paanch; Ganga Aur Suraj; Kala Pani; Neeyat; Shaan; Swayamvar; Kalyug; 1981: Basera; Ek Aur Ek Gyarah; Kranti (H); Krodhi; Maan Gaye Ustad; Silsila; Vakil Babu; 1982: Bezubaan; Namak Halal; Saval (H); Vijeta; 1983: Bandhan Kachche Dhaagon Ka; Ghunghroo; Heat And Dust; 1984: Pakhandi; Ghar Ek Mandir; Zameen Aasmaan; Swati (H); Yaadon Ki Zanjeer; Utsav; Bandh Honth; 1985: Aandhi Toofan; Alag Alag; Bepanah; Bhawani Junction; Pighalta Aasmaan; New Delhi Times; 1986: Anjaam; Aurat; Door Desh; Pyar Ki Jeet; Karamdata; Ek Main Aur Ek Tu; Ilzaam; 1987: Maa Beti; Ijaazat; Naam-o- Nishan; Sindoor; Ghar Ka Sukh; Sammy And Rosie Get Laid; Chakma; 1988: Commando; Hum To Chale Pardes; Farz Ki Jung; The Deceivers; Meri Zabaan; Aakhri Muqabala; 1989: Bandook Dahej Ke Seene Par; Apna Ghar; Desh Ke Dushman; Mera Muqaddar; Mera Farz; Tauheen; Oonch Neech Beech; Gair Kanooni; Clerk; 1991: Ajooba*; Raeeszada; Akela; 1992: Siyasat; 1993: In Custody/ Muhafiz.