Shashi Kapoor receives Dada Saheb Phalke award
For close to three decades in the 1960s, 70s till mid-80s, Bollywood's veteran actor Shashi Kapoor has captivated Hindi film lovers with his image of a romantic hero with nuanced performance in films like “Deewar, “Junoon”, “Kabhi Kabhi” and “Trishul”. So, happiness swept India's biggest commercial cinema segment when Indian government announced on Monday its highest cinematic recognition for him—the Dada Saheb Phalke award for 2014 for outstanding contribution to the growth and development of cinema.
The award, which carries Rs 10 lakh in cash, a Golden Lotus and a shawl, was decided by a five-member jury consisting of eminent film personalities.
Shashi, who turned 77 on March 18 this year, is the third Phalke award winner in the Kapoor family, considered the first Bollywood family. His father Prithviraj Kapoor and elder brother Raj Kapoor are the other recipients.
Born in 1938, Shashi is a well-known actor and producer in a career that has spanned nearly four decades -- during which he acted in 160 films.
Shashi began his acting career at the age of four, with plays directed and produced by Prithviraj Kapoor and started acting in films as a child in late 1940s. His best known performances as child artist were in “Aag” (1948) and “Awaara” (1951) in which he played the younger version of the character played by his elder brother Raj before making it as a leading man in the 1961 film “Dharmputra”.
Shashi was one of India's first actors to go international. He is known for starring in British and American films, notably Merchant Ivory Proudctions run by Ismail Merchant and James Ivory, such as “The Householder” (1963), “Shakespeare Wallah” (1965), “Bombay Talkie” (1970), “Heat and Dust”(1982), “Siddhartha” (1972) and “Muhafiz” (1994).
In 1978, Shashi set up his production house Film Valas, which produced critically acclaimed films such as “Junoon” (1978), “Kalyug” (1981), “36 Chowringhee Lane” (1981), “Vijeta” (1982) and “Utsav” (1984).
He also produced and directed a fantasy film titled “Ajooba” which had Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi in the lead roles.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Shashi Kapoor on winning the Phalke award and described him as a “fine” actor and a “stalwart” of the film industry.
Comments