Shashi Kapoor, Bollywood legend, dead at 79

The world of cinema lost a shining star on December 4, 2017, when Shashi Kapoor, an eminent figure in Indian and international cinema, passed away.

The Illustrious Life of Shashi Kapoor

Born Balbir Raj Kapoor on March 18, 1938, in Calcutta (now Kolkata), India, Shashi Kapoor emerged as one of the most versatile and beloved actors in Indian cinema. He was a member of the renowned Kapoor family, which has produced some of the brightest stars in Bollywood. Shashi was the youngest son of Prithviraj Kapoor and the younger brother of legendary actors Raj Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor.

Shashi began his acting career at a tender age, performing on stage from age four. He gained early recognition with memorable roles in films like Aag and Awaara. However, his acting career took flight as an adult, leading to over 175 films, including 12 English-language movies. His notable films include classics such as Jab Jab Phool Khile, Deewaar, Kabhi Kabhie, Junoon, Kalyug, Namak Halaal, New Delhi Times, and In Custody.

Throughout his career, Kapoor garnered numerous awards. In 2010, he was bestowed the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award, and in 2011, he received the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award. Shashi Kapoor left an unforgettable mark not only on Indian cinema but also in international film circles.

The demise of a legend

Shashi Kapoor’s death on December 4, 2017, at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and Medical Research Institute in Mumbai sent a wave of sorrow across the film industry. He succumbed to prolonged liver cirrhosis at the age of 79.

His final rites were performed in Mumbai, where his body was cremated. Kapoor’s death was officially attributed to complications arising from cirrhosis of the liver. The global film community also remembered him fondly, with Shashi Kapoor and actress Sridevi being the only two Indians honored posthumously in the “In Memoriam” segment at the 90th Academy Awards.

Kapoor’s life, though he passed away in 2017, continues to resonate through his unforgettable contributions to the arts.