Jab Jab Phool Khile (1965)
Belonging to the second
generation of the Kapoors, Shashi was the youngest son and had two
great examples in front of him in Raj Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor. After
a slow start to an otherwise illustrious career, Shashi Kapoor became
a superstar after Jab Jab Phool Khile. Starring opposite
Nanda, who was a bigger name in the industry than him, Shashi
mesmerised the audience with his sharp features on a childlike face.
The duo went on to act in several films together and had mutual
admiration for each other. Set in the heaven-on-earth setting of
Kashmir, the film saw Shashi as a boatman who falls in love with a
rich tourist girl. The film is remembered for its romantic songs like
'Ye Sama, Sama hai ye pyar ka' and 'Pardesiyon Se Na
Ankhiyan Milana'.
Shakespeare Wallah (1965)
One of the first Indian
actors to go international, Shashi Kapoor has acted in several
English films in the early days of his career and also in his
twilight. Shakespeare Wallah was a story of a theatre troupe
that toured India performing Shakespearean plays. Shashi played the
role of Sanju, and was cast opposite Felicity Kendal. Interestingly,
Shashi fell in love with her sister Jennifer and got married. As a
couple, they made a huge contribution to cinema before Jennifer’s
death in ‘84. Shashi also produced 36 Chowringhee Lane which
starred Jennifer, the 1981 film by Aparna Sen.
Deewaar (1975)
You know you have had the
last word in any argument when you are the one saying “Mere Paas
Maa hai”. When Shashi Kapoor’s Ravi says it to Amitabh’s
Vijay, for the first time in the film, you see him as more powerful
than the angry-young-man. One of his most powerful supporting roles,
Shashi did a lot of films with Amitabh, like Namak Halal, Do Aur
Do Paanch, Suhaag, Kaala Patthar, Trishul, Kabhie Kabhie and
Silsila among others. In many, his role could easily be
classified as a supporting actor, but his Inspector Ravi Verma was by
no means a supporting role. He was a parallel hero.
Junoon (1978)
Yet another collaborative
with Shyam Benegal saw Shashi Kapoor produce and act in this period
drama based on A Flight of Pigeons, a novella by Ruskin Bond.
Set around the revolt of 1857, the film is about an unexpected love
that blooms between a British girl and a feudal lord. A gripping tale
of love, jealousy and loyalty; the film explores the period and
strikes the right balance between the personal and the social
aspects. Shashi Kapoor plays the role of Javed Khan, the feudal lord
whose world revolves around breeding carrier pigeons. The film won
the National Award for best film as well as for cinematography
(Govind Nihalani)
Kalyug (1981)
Taking cues from the most
important story in the world, Shyam Benegal's Kalyug was quite
unfairly dubbed as a modern Mahabharat. The characterisation of most
important characters was indeed derived from the epic, but the plot
and the screenplay of the film were very different from what Vyas
originally wrote. However, in a role as Karan Singh, Shashi Kapoor
had the opportunity to portray Indian literature's most tragic
character. The film was critically well received and Shashi Kapoor's
role was applauded by many and remains one of his best performances
on screen.
New Delhi Times (1985)
After having established
himself as an actor and appearing in nearly 10 blockbusters in the
60s and 70s including the epic Waqt (1965), the only thing
that made Shashi stand apart from his brothers was his interest in
the alternative cinema. New Delhi Times, a rare film that
dealt with the issue of corruption, saw Shashi play the role of a
newspaper editor who exposes the politician-media nexus. His powerful
performance in the film rightfully won him the National Award for
Best Actor. Even today, it remains one the few films made in India
that deals with the plague that is corruption.
Published in DNA After Hrs (Pune) on March 15, 2013
