The suave and chic Shashi Kapoor took Indian cinema by storm in the 1960s and continued to impress the audiences till 1980s. A descendant of the Kapoor family, Shashi Kapoor was born as Balbir Raj Kapoor. He is the youngest son of Prithviraj Kapoor and brother to Raj Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor. He married Jennifer Kendal who died in 1984 because of Cancer. He is the father of Karan Kapoor, Kunal Kapoor, and Sanjana Kapoor.

Film career of Shashi Kapoor
Shashi Kapoor began his career as a child artist with films like Bhakta Dhruva (1947) and Muraliwala (1951). He also acted in the movies Aag (1948) and Awaara (1951) as a child. His first film as the lead actor was in the film Char Diwari (1961). In the 1960s he appeared in several blockbuster films and quickly captured the hearts of the audiences. His innate charm and dashing looks completely bowled over the masses and classes alike. Shashi Kapoor delivered his performances with utmost ease. He has starred in many blockbuster movies like, Waqt (1965), Jab Jab Phool Khile (1965), Kanyadan (1969), Haseena Maan Jayegi (1968), Aa Gale Lag Jaa (1973), Roti Kapda Aur Makan (1974), Chor Machaye Shor (1974), Fakira (1976), Satyam Shivam Sundaram (1978), Kaala Patthar (1979) and Kranti (1981). One of the films in the 1970s that deserves special is Sharmilee (1971) with Rakhee. This intriguing film was a box office hit and it gave a big boost to Shashi Kapoor`s film career. Apart from Rakhee Mumtaz, Hema Malini, Rekha, Parveen Babi, Neetu Singh, Sharmila Tagore and Zeenat Aman are some of the leading ladies with whom Shashi Kapoor shared the screen. Shashi Kapoor made a magnificent pair with Amitabh Bachchan. Together they starred in films like Deewar, Do aur Do Paanch, Silsila, Trishul, Shaan, Kabhi Kabhi, Namak Halaal and Suhaag. He was also a regular face in the Yash Chopra movies. In fact it was Yash Chopra`s Deewar (1975) that fetched him Best Supporting Actor Award at the Filmfare Awards. Shashi Kapoor got the opportunity to work with Shyam Benegal time and again. The Bollywood actor`s love for the stage is unprecedented. It is his association with theatre that had also helped him to deliver some of the finest performances in his career. He was the main driving force behind the resurrection of the Prithvi Theatre after Prithviraj Kapoor fell ill. Both he and his wife Jennifer Kapoor helped Prithvi theatres to thrive.

Shashi Kapoor is also credited with working in British and American films, particularly Merchant Ivory productions, such as Shakespeare Wallah (1965), Bombay Talkie (1970), and Heat and Dust (1982) He his other English films include Pretty Polly (1967), Siddhartha (1972), and Sammy and Rosie Get Laid (1987). He has set up his own production house Film Valas and produced movies like Kalyug (1981), 36 Chowringhee Lane (1981) and Utsav (1984). He is also credited with directing a fantasy movie `Ajooba` starring Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor.

It was the tragic death of his beloved wife that was responsible to a large extent in his alienation from the silver screen. But the heartthrob of the yesteryears, Shashi Kapoor, is still involved with theatres along with his daughter, Sanjana Kapoor.

Awards and Honours of Shashi Kapoor

National Film Awards
1986 - National Film Award for Best Actor for New Delhi Times
1994 - National Film Award - Special Jury Award / Special Mention (Feature Film) for Muhafiz (1993)
1979 - National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi (as producer) for Junoon

Filmfare Awards
1975 - Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for Deewar
1980 - Filmfare Award for Best Movie for Junoon
1982 - Filmfare Award for Best Movie for Kalyug
2010 - Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award

Civilian Award
2011 - Padma Bhushan by the Government of India

Other Awards
2009 - Lifetime Achievement Award at the 7th Pune International Film Festival
2009 - Lifetime Achievement Award at the 11th Mumbai Film Festival

Filmography of Shashi Kapoor

1963	The Householder	1978	Trishul, Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Junoon
1965	Waqt, Shakespeare Wallah, Jab Jab Phool Khile	1979	Suhaag, Kaala Patthar
1967	Aamne Samne, Pretty Polly	1980	Kalyug, Do Aur Do Paanch, Shaan
1968	Haseena Maan Jayegi	1981	Kranti, Silsila, Baseraa
1969	Pyaar Ka Mausam	1982	Vijeta, Namak Halaal, Heat and Dust, Sawaal
1970	Bombay Talkie	1986	New Delhi Times, Ilzaam
1971	Sharmilee	1987	Sammy and Rosie Get Laid, Pyaar Ki Jeet
1972	Siddhartha	1988	The Deceivers
1973	Aa Gale Lag Jaa	1993	In Custody
1974	Roti Kapda Aur Makaan, Chor Machaye Shor	1996	Gulliver`s Travels
1975	5 Rifles, Deewaar	1998	Jinnah, Side Streets
1976	Kabhi Kabhie	-	-