Shashi Kapoor: Rare pictures of the veteran actor

Veteran actor Shashi Kapoor’s sudden demise after a prolonged illness had left Bollywood mourning. While many took to their social media handles to give their heartfelt condolences to the family of the bereaved, Neetu Kapoor shared a rare childhood picture of the late actor as a tribute to him.

Neetu took to her Instagram handle and posted an unseen childhood picture of the late actor with his father Prithviraj Kapoor. Captioning the image she wrote, “Shashi uncle with his father RIP."

The actor, who breathed his last at the age of 79, is survived by his three children Karan Kapoor, Kunal Kapoor, and Sanjana Kapoor. His funeral will reportedly take place today.

Shashi Kapoor has been one of the rare gems of the industry who has been a part of many evergreen films that has left footprints in the sands of time. The actor, who has time and again proved his mettle, breathed his last on Monday after prolonged illness. He was 79.


Kapoor, who started his career as a child actor in his father Prithviraj Kapoor's plays, was well-known for his roles in films like 'Deewaar' (1975), 'Satyam Shivam Sundaram' (1978), 'Junoon' (1978), 'Shaan' (1980), and 'Namak Halaal' (1982).


Here's walking down the memory lane with some rare pictures of the actor:

Not many achieve the kind of feat Shashi Kapoor and Raj Kapoor achieved very early on in their life. The duo were not only the epitome of brotherly love but also made sure to stand by each other's side through the thick and thins of life. This particular picture sees the two indulging in a heart-warming conversation that is bound to make your heart melt.

Shashi Kapoor was a member of the Kapoor family, a film dynasty in India's Bollywood cinema. His early life acting stint started with movies like Meena (1944), Tadbir and Bachpan (1945). Shashi Kapoor's name was credited under the screen name of Shashi Raj Kapoor. While growing up he dropped 'Raj' and kept only Shashi Kapoor.

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, congratulated Shashi Kapoor on having been conferred with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award back in 2015. The internet-savvy PM took to his Twitter handle to express himself. He tweeted, "It was wonderful seeing the versatile & much admired Shashi Kapoor-ji being presented the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Congratulations to him." [sic]


The veteran actor was unable to attend the award ceremony in Delhi because of his ill-health, therefore, he was handed over the award at a function at Prithvi Theatre in suburban Mumbai. Members from the Kapoor clan including Karisma Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor, Neetu Kapoor and Rekha came out to support the veteran actor in all their glory.

Shashi and English actress Jennifer Kendal met in Calcutta in 1956 while both were working for their respective theatre groups. After their subsequent meeting, the couple fell in love and after facing initial opposition from the Kendals and support from sister-in-law Geeta Bali, they got married in July 1958.


They acted in a number of films together and had three children - Kunal Kapoor, Karan Kapoor and Sanjana Kapoor. Jennifer and Shashi established Prithvi Theatre on 5 November 1978 in Mumbai.

Shashi was a prolific Bollywood actor, film director, film producer and assistant director. He has acted in Hindi and English films as the lead hero and contributed to as many as 175 films.


Shashi Kapoor made his debut as a leading man in the 1961 film 'Dharmputra' and went on to appear in 61 films as the solo lead hero and 55 multi star-cast films, 21 films as supporting actor and special appearance in seven films. He was a very popular actor in Bollywood during the 60s, 70s and until the mid 80s. In an interview in the 1990s, Kapoor declared that Nanda was his favourite heroine and that he regarded her as one of his mentors.