Bollywood actor Shashi Kapoor has passed away.
He was 79 years old, and was the youngest son of Raj Kapoor, the tallest actor of early Indian cinema.
Kapoor has been keeping unwell for several years.
The actor died in the Kokilaben hospital in Mumbai today. He was undergoing a routine dialysis.
The news was confirmed by Prithvi Theater, the institution that he founded.
Among his most memorable roles were in ‘The Householder’ from the ‘Merchant Ivory Productions’. He is one of the few Indian actors who have successfully straddled both Bollywood and Hollywood.
He was also crucial in funding the emergence of the parallel cinema by funding films like 36 Chowringhee Lane.
“The news is devastating for me, he was a beautiful man,” said actress Khushboo, who used to call him ‘Shashi uncle’.
“He would always keep smiling. I’ve never seen him angry. I am completely lost,” he said.
Shashi Kapoor was born as Balbir Raj Kapoor on 18 March 1938.
He has appeared in a large number of Hindi films as well as in a few English-language films. He has also been a film director and assistant director in the Hindi film industry.
He is famous for his dialogue: “Mere pas ma hain (I have my mother with me)” from his film Deewar, which also starred Amitabh Bacchan.
Other films include Namak Halal, Junoon, Kabhi Kabhie, Jab Jab Phool Khile and Kalyug.
In fact, Shashi Kapoor is remembered for his willingness to act in films in which he was not the only hero.
He is the 3rd and the youngest son of Prithviraj Kapoor, the younger brother of Raj Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor, the widower of Jennifer Kendal (sister of actress Felicity Kendal), and the father of Karan Kapoor, Kunal Kapoor, and Sanjana Kapoor.
He more or less dropped out of his acting career when his wife Jennifer Kapoor died in 1984.