Filmfare Awards was recently aired on Telly. And apart from the usual fart jokes that floated around with SRK and Saif in the hosting shoes, the highest point of this year’s show was the Lifetime Achievement Award honoured to none other than Balbir Raj Kapoor or as we popularly know him – Shashi Kapoor.
Now, I am a big fan of Shashi jee. But when it comes to fandom, I am miles away from it, considering the existence of fangirls such as Beth whose Shashi fandom [ Beth's house of Shashi ], can give the Twilight Tweens a run for their money. But the body of work that Shashi Kapoor has done over his life speaks for itself. From commercial to international cinema to producing some of the best of Indian cinema, Shashi Kapoor adds up to one word – Uncompromising. While his peers and contemporaries gave in to the Ooty revolution and Ketchup bloodshed, Shashi Kapoor gave us Utsav, New Delhi Times, Junoon and 36 Chowringee Lane. Yes, he gave us Ajooba as well, but then, that is a classic too in a whole another level [and I know most of you'd agree].
Filmfare’s lovely Lifetime Achievement Award this year couldn’t have been more justified. And I couldn’t resist posting a whole post dedicated to the Awesome Shashi Kapoor. So without any further ado, I give to you the lovely screencaps I managed to pull from the Filmfare montage piece. [ Go hit the jump to see the awesome pics ].
Born in 1938, to the Kapoor family from Calcutta, Balbir Raj Kapoor was embraced by the Indian film industry at the tender age of 12.
1948 and 1951 saw him play the younger version of Raj Kapoor’s character in Aag and Aawara respectively.
Jab Jab Phool Khile – who doesn’t remember Pardesiyo se Naa Ankhiya Milaana, and of course – Humko Tumpe Pyaar Aaya.
Amongst commercially successful roles in movies such as Deewar, Sharmilee, Roti Kapda Aur Makaan, Aa Gale Lag Jaa, Kabhi Kabhie, and many others, Shashi Kapoor also gave us one of his most unconventional roles and spellbounding performance as Javed Khan in Junoon
And of course, his collaboration with Merchant Ivory productions is loved all over. My personal favourite – Shakespeare Wallah
Here seen with Shammi Kapoor and Dharamendra.
In 1958, Shashi Kapoor married English theatre actress – Jennifer Kendal, and they acted together in numerous Merchant Ivory productions. With the setting up of his own film production company Film Vala in 1980, Shashi Kapoor produced many critically acclaimed movies such as Kalyug, Utsav, 36 Chowringee Lane [starring his wife Jennifer]
His three children – Karan, Kunal and Sanjana have been associated with films, advertising, and theatre.
Shashi Kapoor and his daughter Sanjana Kapoor have played the major role in keeping Prithvi theatre alive. One of the oldest theatres in Mumbai, Prithvi theatre, named after Shashi Kapoor’s father – Prithvi Raj Kapoor, ran from 1944 to 1960. It was re-opened in 1978 by Shashi Kapoor and his wife Jennifer and in 1993, the Prithvi Theatre company was established and is now run by Sanjana Kapoor.
Salute to the Actor
Salute to the Filmmaker
Salute to the Man
This is what Shammi Kapoor had to say in the Filmfare montage:
He’s done a great job all his life. He’s been doing some things which everyone should be proud of. I’m mighty proud of you. God Bless Sasha. *Mwaa*
***** APPLAUSE *****
This is such an emotional moment. I know it for sure that my mum must have seen this, and she must’ve been in tears [ and so was I ].
Shashi jee receiving the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – It must’ve got so nostalgic. The memories of the years in the Hindi film industry.
Someone stop Yashraj from speaking.. in English and in Hindi. He mumbles, and he mumbles so fast.
***** APPLAUSE *****
P.S. Is that Kunal Kapoor , Shashi jee’s son, [ I think I have seen him in just one movie – 1982 – Vijeta directed by Govind Nihalani? Any idea?
And to end the post, let’s end it on a happy note by giving you a dosage of the Happy Shashi memories.
Courtesy Beth: Multi-Color Shashi
Immortal Bromance – Shashitabh
And the SHAANdar Jodi – yes, Shashitabh again!
SHASHI KAPOOR, the Legend Lives on…
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{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
great job. I too am a grt. fan of shashi kapoor and felt sad seeing him confined to a wheel chair.
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Aww… what a lovely post. Shashi Kapoor was simply adorable. Totally agree with the word 'uncompromising' used to describe him. He perfectly straddled art and commerce. And the contribution of Prithvi to the theater scene is undeniable. Go SHASHI!!
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Great Post on the legend that is Shashi, I'm yet to discover more of his works though
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I have only seen the most popular ones. I am yet to explore most of his Merchant Ivory works, and also those which are not mentioned in this post. He is definitely one of the legends of Indian cinema
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Absolutely…Go SHASHI ..I remember an interview of his.. when he was asked why he did not do as many movies as his contemporaries in the 80s and 90s..He replied that he started doing commercial cinema to enjoy the company of great filmmakers and of course the money too.. But he was seeing mediocrity creeping in in his work. He gave it all up, to revive Prithvi, make his own production company, and then direct some awesome movies. The man is a creative genius. Absolutely awesome.
In that interview, he was gleaming with his trademark cheeky smile while he said – I am proud of my films, no matter how they performed at BO. Salute!!
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Beth, an Ajooba watchalong will be HILARIOUS. ROFL. I asked my mum about it, and she did watch the show. And she loved it. She said she was sad to see him in a film chair
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Thanks for the visit. Glad to know you're also a member of the Shashi fan club
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BHAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
emotional kar diya hai BHAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
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Let me join your Shashi club… I follow his fortune for about thirty years. Ever fascinated both with his acting and personality. Looking so tactful and emotional and having his own firm opinion! He has never shown a superman at the screen but very vivid and psychologically precise, touching your soul. Great love and great respect to him. I can’t help admiring him in any age and condition of his. And course I quite share pitu’s GO SHASHI!!! I wish a knew a way to express to him how I want he had will and strength to create more masterpieces! Or at least made a blog like “-tabh…” from Shashitabh.
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Sujoy Reply:
May 4th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
Welcome to the Shashi club.. So great to know that you have been following him for the last 30 years.. He is indeed one of Indian cinema’s greatest. GO SHASHI !!!
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Shashitastic!!! Shashilicious!!! Shashi Universe!!!!!! Love you! Wanna meet you once in my life! Go Shashiji, GO!!! Awesome man! May god give him a long and peaceful life!!! Seeing him confined to a wheelchair was shocking!!! I burst into tears…He was so adorable, handsome, dashing and such a darling, chocolate boy of the industry!!! Felt very sad………But all will be well again…I HOPE…Best of luck Shashi daadu…Heal soon…We want to see you back on your legs!!!
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I have always admired Shashi Kapoor. He is one Kapoor who has lots of substance. He always looked different, more human than star. You’ve mentioned he had the balance of commercial as well as art cinema. Sometimes I wonder if he was born in a wrong era. Of course, he has done great movies with Shyam Benegal, but today movies are so diverse that he could done much more. I always feel that his role in Trishool is the closest to the person he is in real life.
It’s very rare to find such sensitivity in an actors eyes, and he has very beautiful expressive eyes. Every time they show Kalyug on TV, I watch it without fail, and hats off to him.
It’s saddening to see him frail and in a bad shape. I hope he recovers soon and it would be interesting to see him work with Aamir Khan..another actor who has got very expressive eyes. Shashiji, get well soon !
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Sujoy Reply:
May 22nd, 2010 at 10:28 am
Indeed, with so many genres of Indian movies being made these days with lots of studios experimenting with content , Shashi jee’s presence onscreen could’ve been more felt.
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It hurts me to see my Icon Shashi Kapoor in such a state. A truly wonderful human being.
Just watching Shashiji in his earlier movies such as Deewaar, Do aur Do paanch, Fakira, Sawaal, Niyat, Chori mera Kaam, Dewaangee, Wakil Babu, Holiday in Bombay, Abhinetri, Maan gaya Ustad, Mukti, Amar Shakti, Gautam Govinda, Anari, Need hamari Kwab tumhari, Aamne Samne, Prem Kahani, Kali Ghata, Basera, Trishul, Kabhi Khabi, Suhaag, Duniya Meri jeb Mein, Aa gale lag ja, Chor machaye shor, Chor Sipahi, Krodhi, Trishna, Jab jab phool khile, Sharmilee, Waqt, Salakhen, Kranti, Roti kapda aur makaan, Iman Dharam, Satyam Shivan Sundaram, Kala Patthar, to name a few gives me immense satisfaction. The chocolate hero of the 70s survived the Phenomenon Rajesh Khanna and complimented Amitabh bachan. Long live Shashi. Not only was he a dashing handsome debonair but most importantly he is a wonderful human being. Here s to good health and all the very best.
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n1 knows y h’s in wh chai
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It really hurts a lot when you see a legend like Shashi Kapoor in such a bad health.
I really liked his movies, his acting and his dance. Yes the way he dance was something
quite unique about him. I was really eager to hear him speak but he did’nt spoke.
Shashi kapoor the actor and the charisma we all love you and pray for your good
health.
Satish Shukla.
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Every night before i go to sleep i touch his face which is put in a photo frame in my office and i say lekeya jo kath tujhe his best ever song and i go to my bed room but my wife thinks i am mad but to me i am his die hard fan of sashiji
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hi,
I used to follow shashiji’s films when they used to play on doordarshan. found him fascinating then and find him now. To day I was reading somebody’s blog and they said that there was something very real about actors in the 60′s and 70′s; no plastic surgeries etc; it was and is a delight to watch them … esp shashi kapoor
))))
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Sujoy Reply:
August 3rd, 2010 at 4:33 am
Sure, there was no plastic surgeries etc, but have you noticed the amount of horrendous make up actors used to wear – yes, male ones especially.
For instance, check out the close up shot of Shammi jee in Yahoo- Chahe koi mujhe junglee kahe. To be precise, when he sings – Mere Seene , Mein bhi Dil Hai…
His face is a kilo heavier with powder and foundation and what not, and lips red with cherry coloured lipstick
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Sujoy Reply:
August 3rd, 2010 at 4:34 am
Sorry, that was an off-topic discussion
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I am a very great fan of Mr. Sashi Kapoor,and I felt very sad when I saw him on wheelchair,I adore his smile,dance,voice,and his cheeky sense of humuor on the screen,well I wish you a very healthy and happy life and also to Kunal,Karan and Sanjana.God bless, all the best to you all.With kind Regards from Sydney, Australia.
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