Shashi Kapoor Indian actor Shashi Kapoor, 1938. (more) Shashi Kapoor Indian actor and producer Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/biography/Shashi-Kapoor Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

　　External Websites Ask the Chatbot a Question Also known as: Balbir Raj Kapoor Written by Shatarupa Chaudhuri Shatarupa Chaudhuri is a senior editor at Encyclopaedia Britannica, bringing over 15 years of editorial experience in news media and publishing. Shatarupa Chaudhuri Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Mar 25, 2025 • Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot Quick Facts Byname of: Balbir Raj Kapoor (Show more) Born: March 18, 1938, Calcutta [now Kolkata, West Bengal], India (Show more) Died: December 4, 2017, Mumbai, Maharashtra (Show more) { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What was Shashi Kapoor known for in Bollywood? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Shashi Kapoor was known for his versatile acting prowess, eloquence, and good looks. He was acclaimed for his work in mainstream Bollywood films and art-house productions. He popularized gentle, elegant romantic leads in Hindi-language movies in the 1960s and u201970s." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What was Shashi Kapooru2019s debut lead role in Bollywood? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Shashi Kapooru2019s debut lead role was in Dharmputra (1961; u201CDutiful Sonu201D), a film on the partition of India. Although it was a box office disaster, it was regarded as a classic and received the National Film Award for best Hindi film in 1962." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What theater company did Shashi Kapoor join, and whom did he meet there? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Shashi Kapoor joined Shakespeareana, a theater company run by British actor Geoffrey Kendal. There he met and fell in love with Kendalu2019s elder daughter, Jennifer Kendal." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What are some notable films in Shashi Kapooru2019s collaboration with Amitabh Bachchan? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Their notable films include Deewaar (1975; u201CWallu201D), Kabhi Kabhie (1976; u201CSometimesu201D), Trishul (1978; u201CTridentu201D), Kaala Patthar (1979; u201CBlack Stoneu201D), Shaan (1980; u201CGloryu201D), Do Aur Do Paanch (1980; u201CTwo Plus Two Equals Fiveu201D), Silsila (1981; u201CDilemmau201D), and Namak Halaal (1982; u201CLoyalu201D)." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What awards did Shashi Kapoor receive for his contributions to cinema? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Shashi Kapoor received the Padma Bhushan in 2011, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2014, the National Film Award for best actor in 1986 for New Delhi Times, and several Filmfare Awards, including a lifetime achievement award in 2010." } } ] } Top Questions What was Shashi Kapoor known for in Bollywood? Shashi Kapoor was known for his versatile acting prowess, eloquence, and good looks. He was acclaimed for his work in mainstream Bollywood films and art-house productions. He popularized gentle, elegant romantic leads in Hindi-language movies in the 1960s and ’70s.

　　What was Shashi Kapoor’s debut lead role in Bollywood? Shashi Kapoor’s debut lead role was in Dharmputra (1961; “Dutiful Son”), a film on the partition of India. Although it was a box office disaster, it was regarded as a classic and received the National Film Award for best Hindi film in 1962.

　　What theater company did Shashi Kapoor join, and whom did he meet there? Shashi Kapoor joined Shakespeareana, a theater company run by British actor Geoffrey Kendal. There he met and fell in love with Kendal’s elder daughter, Jennifer Kendal.

　　What are some notable films in Shashi Kapoor’s collaboration with Amitabh Bachchan? Their notable films include Deewaar (1975; “Wall”), Kabhi Kabhie (1976; “Sometimes”), Trishul (1978; “Trident”), Kaala Patthar (1979; “Black Stone”), Shaan (1980; “Glory”), Do Aur Do Paanch (1980; “Two Plus Two Equals Five”), Silsila (1981; “Dilemma”), and Namak Halaal (1982; “Loyal”).

　　What awards did Shashi Kapoor receive for his contributions to cinema? Shashi Kapoor received the Padma Bhushan in 2011, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2014, the National Film Award for best actor in 1986 for New Delhi Times, and several Filmfare Awards, including a lifetime achievement award in 2010.

　　Shashi Kapoor (born March 18, 1938, Calcutta [now Kolkata, West Bengal], India—died December 4, 2017, Mumbai, Maharashtra) was an Indian actor and producer whose career spanned more than five decades. Kapoor, known for his versatile acting prowess, eloquence, and good looks, was acclaimed for his work in mainstream Bollywood films as well as art-house productions. He also earned praise for his performances in theater and international cinema. In the 1960s and ’70s he popularized the gentle, elegant romantic leads in commercial Hindi-language movies, as opposed to the overtly masculine heroes of the time. A memorable example is Raja in Jab ...(100 of 1260 words)

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