Shashi Kapoor to get Dadasaheb Phalke Award

The reigning heartthrob of the ’70s, a pioneering crossover star, a leading patron of theatre and a producer of good cinema, the 77-year-old star of iconic films like Deewar, Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Trishul, Kabhi Kabhie and Junoon, has held sway over audiences for many decades now.The veteran actor-producer is the 46th winner of the honour conferred by the Indian government for outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian Cinema. He joins father Prithviraj Kapoor and brother Raj Kapoor in the haloed halls of Phalke winners.Shashi began his tryst with acting at the age of four, with plays directed and produced by his father. He made his debut as a leading man in the 1961 film Dharmputra, and went on to do over 100 Hindi films.He was also one of India’s first actors to go international, collaborating with Ismail Merchant and James Ivory on films like The Householder (1963), Shakespeare Wallah (1965) and Bombay Talkie.Even as he juggled acting, he produced critically acclaimed films like 36 Chowringhee Lane, Junoon, Kalyug and Vijeyta and turned director with Ajooba. He also revived his father’s Prithvi Theatre, along with his late wife Jennifer Kendal.

Veteran actor Shashi Kapoor will be conferred the Dada Saheb Phalke award this year for his contribution to Indian cinema. The 77-year-old yesteryears’ star will be the 62nd recipient of the prestigious award.

Shashi Kapoor, whose work includes several hit and loved films, has been awarded with the National Award thrice, in 1979, 1986 and 1994. Apart from these, Kapoor has also received the Padma Bhushan in 2011.