Born on March 18, 1938, Shashi Kapoor was part of the illustrious Kapoor family, which has been a cornerstone of Bollywood for generations. With his charming looks, effortless acting, and magnetic screen presence, Shashi Kapoor carved a unique niche for himself in both Indian and international cinema. From romantic leads in films like Waqt, Jab Jab Phool Khile, Kabhi Kabhie, and Deewaar to critically acclaimed performances in parallel cinema such as Junoon, Utsav, New Delhi Times, and Kalyug, his versatility as an actor remains unmatched. Shashi Kapoor Birth Anniversary Special: 10 Iconic Roles Of The Actor That Makes Us Miss Him Everyday.

Thanks to his illustrious collaboration with the duo Ismail Merchant and James Ivory, Kapoor also became part of several acclaimed international films, including Shakespearewallah, Bombay Talkie, Heat and Dust, and The Deceivers. Shashi Kapoor was not just a talented actor but also a visionary producer who championed meaningful cinema through his production house. He was also a connoisseur of the theatre arts and continued his father Prithviraj Kapoor’s love for the stage through Prithvi Theatres, which he built with his wife, the late Jennifer Kendal. This legacy has been carried forward by his children, Kunal Kapoor and Sanjana Kapoor.

There is so much to celebrate about Shashi Kapoor - a wonderful actor and producer - but let’s revisit his origins as an actor. Shashi Kapoor’s debut role was that of a brainwashed Hindu fundamentalist in Dharmputra. Even today, his portrayal remains relatable and relevant. Such was the impact of his performance that he was nominated for a National Award, though he declined it. ‘Deewaar’: Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor’s Iconic Film Returns to the Big Screen for Its 50th Anniversary.

Watch a Song From 'Dharmputra' Featuring Shashi Kapoor:

Dharmputra, directed by Yash Chopra under the banner of BR Films, tells the story of a child who is Muslim but raised by a Hindu family. The film depicts the chaos, tension, and radicalisation of youth during the Partition. Speaking about the movie, Shashi Kapoor told Ranjan Das Gupta in a 2012 interview, “I had the chance to play the role of a lifetime in the film Dharmputra, directed by Yash Chopra in 1961. I was nominated for the National Award for it, but I refused it as I felt my performance was not competent enough.”

So what if he declined the National Award for Dharmputra? Shashi Kapoor later won Best Feature Film in Hindi for Junoon as a producer in 1979 and then Special Jury Award (Feature Film) for In Custody in 1994. He also won Best Actor for his excellent performance in Ramesh Sharma's New Delhi Times in 1986. Before he passed away on December 4, 2017, at the age of 79, Shashi Kapoor was also conferred Padma Bhushan in 2011 and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2015.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 18, 2025 08:31 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).