Shashi Kapoor and his 15 best films that prove why he was an era in himself

Shashi Kapoor was admitted to Kokilaben Ambani Hospital in Andheri on Sunday night, reportedly, for a chest infection treatment. The 79 year old legendary actor was the son of Prithviraj Kapoor.

It’s an end of an era. Shashi Kapoor’s death has not just left a void in the Indian film industry, but also closed a chapter in the memories of generations. The Bollywood veteran, who began as a child artist with films like Aag, Sangam and Awaara, did his first solo lead in 1961 film Dharmaputra. In a career spanning nearly six decades, Shashi Kapoor has been instrumental in giving Indian cinema, some of the most beautiful, heart wrenching dramas.
Here is a list of 15 films which are gold for not just movie aficionados, but is also a reference point for aspiring filmmakers.

1. Jab Jab Phool Khile

The 1965 romantic drama was a blockbuster and was even ranked at the second spot of top ten highest grossing films at the Indian box office in that year. The film starring Shashi Kapoor and Nanda was a story about a poor boatman in Kashmir who falls in love with a rich tourist girl.

Iconic Indian Actor Shashi Kapoor Dies at 79

The star of numerous Merchant-Ivory films, Indian actor Shashi Kapoor has died after a prolonged illness. He was 79. He was admitted to a hospital in Mumbai on Sunday with a chest infection and died on Monday.

Kapoor was one of the few Indian actors who straddled the cinemas of India and the West. He was the youngest son of actor Prithviraj Kapoor.

After appearing as a child actor in Raj Kapoor’s “Aag” (1948) and “Awaara,” Shashi Kapoor debuted as a leading man in 1961 in Yash Chopra’s “Dharmputra.”

Kapoor’s association with the James Ivory-Ismail Merchant team began in 1963 with “The Householder” and continued with “Shakespeare-Wallah” (1965), “Bombay Talkie” (1970) and “In Custody” (1994), which was also his last major film role.

His numerous successes in Hindi-language films in the early part of his career include “Waqt,” “Jab Jab Phool Khile,” “Haseena Maan Jayegi,” “Pyar Ka Mausam,” and “Aa Gale Lag Jaa” (1973).

Kapoor also formed an enormously successful on-screen partnership with superstar Amitabh Bachchan, with whom he acted in blockbusters including “Deewar” (1975), “Kabhi Kabhie” (1976), “Trishul” (1978) and “Namak Halaal” (1982).

In 1979, Kapoor, via his Film-Valas production outfit, began producing acclaimed arthouse films, beginning with “Junoon” and followed by “Kalyug,” “36 Chowringhee Lane,” “Vijeta,” and “Utsav.” In 1991, he directed “Ajooba,” starring Bachchan.

Kapoor married British actress Jennifer Kendal. In 1978 they set up Mumbai’s Prithvi Theatre, which remains India’s leading theatre venue. Kendal died in 1984. They are survived by their daughter, Sanjana, and sons Kunal and Karan, all of whom have had acting stints.