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La Familia: Shashi Kapoor’s son Kunal remembers his superstar father: Sundays were spent with family only
On the eve of Shashi Kapoor’s 83rd birth anniversary, Pinkvilla spoke to his eldest son Kunal Kapoor to know more about his superstar father. Read on...
I saw my first Shashi Kapoor starrer at 15, which was Manmohan Desai’s 1983 romantic-drama Aa Gale Lag Jaa, and it was my mother who introduced me to this film. There were three reasons why she chose this classic for me, one because she is majorly obsessed by the actor, then it was also one of the first films that she saw with my father during their courtship period, and last but not the least, in her own words, she wanted to show me what a “genuinely good film” looks like. And I must admit, I was hooked to it’s narrative of ‘lost and found love’.
However, it is Shakespeare Wallah that I consider my most favourite Shashi Kapoor movie, not only because of its story, screenplay and powerhouse performances but primarily because of its sheer genuinity and intent. His films had a major impact on many of our lives, which is also why his unfortunate demise in December 2017 seemed like a personal loss. Now, on the eve of Shashi Saab’s 83rd birth anniversary, I spoke to his eldest son Kunal Kapoor to know more about his superstar father, who’s often known as the most charming actor of India. 
Kunal says he has too many precious memories with his father. “My dad never worked on Sundays, they were spent with the family only. He would try and move his outdoor schedule to coincide with our school holidays, so we could always travel and be together. But he never let his producers pay for his family expenses. Also, we all had breakfast together every day at 7.30 am, before we went to school and he for work,” reminisces Kunal.
Besides starring in many commercially and critically acclaimed films like Jab Jab Phool Khile, Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Deewar and Kabhi Kabhie, Shashi Kapoor was also known for backing solid content driven cinema. He has produced films like Shyam Benegal’s Junoon, Govind Nihalani’s Vijeta, Girish Karnad’s Utsav and Aparna Sen 36 Chowringhee Lane. However, Kunal states that his father did not differentiate between commercial and art films, and only supported good cinema.
Prithviraj Kapoor’s youngest son was also applauded for his English films. Right from James Ivory’s The Householder and Shakespeare Wallah to Conrad Rooks’ Siddhartha, they were all well received by Indian and international audiences alike. Was Kapoor always interested in collaborating with good filmmakers from abroad, or does he credit his mother Jennifer Kapoor for Shashi Saab’s interest in these projects? “I think his meeting up with Ismail Merchant, James Ivory and their early films exposed him to the international world of cinema. You also forgot to mention - A Matter of Innocence (Pretty Polly), Heat and Dust, The Deceivers, Sammy and Rosie Get Laid, Side Streets, Gulliver’s Travels, Jinnah and Dirty British Boys, many of which have become cult and have received major international critical acclaim & awards,” adds Kunal. His favourite Shashi Kapoor films include Shakespeare Wallah, In Custody, Junoon, Jab Jab Phool Khile, New Delhi Times and Do Aur Do Paanch.
I think his meeting up with Ismail Merchant, James Ivory and their early films exposed him to the international world of cinema
Kunal Kapoor
In memory of Prithviraj Kapoor, Shashi Saab along with his wife Jennifer had established the iconic Prithvi Theatre in 1978, which even today is one of the most notable landmarks in Mumbai. Kunal actively looks after the theater with the same love and warmth. “Theatre is the platform from which my family came from, both sides of my family. I am the third generation and now there is the fourth generation too. It is our heritage. We salute and give back,” says Kunal.
In 2014, Shashi Kapoor was honoured with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award at the same sacred location. Prod Kunal about his memories from that day, and he responds, “That his family, close friends and colleagues all came in support and love, (which is) much better than being held in an obscure venue in Delhi surrounded by politicians and government officers - (but) here in the theatre (which) he built to fulfil his father’s dream, and surrounded by family and work colleagues.”
In the earlier times, whoever would have been a regular at Prithvi, would have met Shashi Saab during his evening visits there. Kunal informs that his father spent the latter part of his life watching plays, films and relished his evening tea at the theatre.
So how does he plan to celebrate Shashi Saab’s 83rd birthday on March 18? “Will have Chinese lunch,” Kunal concludes.
Shashi Sir, you’ll always remain in our hearts.
Meanwhile, here’s leaving our readers with Shashi Kapoor’s dialogue from Yash Chopra’s Silsila that possibly aptly describes the gentleman. “Hum gayab hone waalon mein se nahi hain… Jahan jahan se guzarte hain jalwe dikhate hain… Dost kya dushman bhi yaad rakhte hai.”
ALSO READ: Throwback: Did you know Shashi Kapoor played Amitabh Bachchan’s elder brother in only THIS movie?
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