Bollywood
Bollywood mourns veteran actor Shashi Kapoor's demise...
Updated : Dec 04, 2017, 10:49 PM IST
The Indian film industry today mourned the death of actor Shashi Kapoor, as friends and admirers -- led by Lata Mangeshkar, Shyam Benegal and Aamir Khan -- recalled his passion for cinema, while paying homage to a man known for his easy charm and good nature. The actor, aged 79, breathed his last at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital at 5.20pm.
Director Shyam Bengal described him as "god's good man" and a beautiful human being. "He was god's good man and a beautiful human being beyond anything else," Benegal, who worked with the late actor in Kalyug and Junoon, said.
Melody queen Lata Mangeshkar, a close friend of the actor, mourned his death. "I just received the news that Shashi Kapoor ji has passed away. I am really saddened. He was a good human being. My heartfelt condolences," she posted on Twitter.
Mujhe abhi pata chala ki guni Abhineta Shashi Kapoor ji ka aaj swargwas hua .Ye sunkar mujhe bahut dukh hua, wo ek bahut bhale insaan the. Meri unko vinamra shraddhanjali.
— Lata Mangeshkar (@mangeshkarlata) December 4, 2017
Actor Aamir paid his respects to the actor, saying he was not just a "great star and a passionate filmmaker", but also a "wonderful human being". "His work has always given Indian audiences great joy. His contribution to Indian theatre was huge, Prithvi theatre is the favourite venue of both performers and audiences alike. His passing a sad day for all of us. My condolences to Sanjana, Kunal, Karan and everyone in the family. May his soul rest in piece," Aamir wrote on Twitter.
— Aamir Khan (@aamir_khan) December 4, 2017
Yesteryear actor Simi Garewal said she was deeply saddened by the demise of her friend. "Am deeply saddened by the passing away of my co-star Shashi Kapoor. The last of that generation of Kapoors gone. A gentleman and friend gone. An era gone... All that remains are his films and precious memories," she tweeted.
Am deeply saddened by the passing away of my co-star #ShashiKapoor. The last of that generation of Kapoors gone. A gentleman and friend gone. An era gone.. All that remains are his films...and precious memories.. RIP Shashi-ji.
— Simi Garewal (@Simi_Garewal) December 4, 2017
Veteran actor and his co-star in several films, Shabana Azmi, posted on Twitter a black-and-white picture of the actor, with the caption, "We will miss you ...".
We will miss you ... pic.twitter.com/ZMGoFk0DCM
— Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) December 4, 2017
Noted film critic Aseem Chhabra, who penned the authorised biography on Shashi, "Shashi Kapoor: The Householder, the Star", tweeted, "I am heartbroken! It was expected but the loss of #ShashiKapoor has left me feeling very low, very empty."
I am heartbroken! It was expected but the loss of #ShashiKapoor has left me feeling very low, very empty.
— Aseem Chhabra (@chhabs) December 4, 2017
Actress Saira Banu remembered him as a "bubbly person". "I remember him as a bubbly person. He was full of fun, full of jokes and at the same time he was really a smart person," Banu, legendary actor Dilip Kumar's wife, said.
Veteran actor Moushumi Chatterjee remembered him as a great actor and jovial person. "He was a gem of a person, a very nice human being. He was a very protective person. He was a very talented hero. I learnt a lot of things from him in the beginning of my career," she said.
Leading Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar recalled the late actor's classic line from Deewar and said it inspired aspiring artistes. "Innumerable Bollywood dreams came to life watching your iconic dialogue, 'Mere paas maa hai.' Your tremendous contribution to cinema will always be remembered," he tweeted.
Innumerable Bollywood dreams came to life watching your iconic dialogue, "Mere paas maa hai." Your tremendous contribution to cinema will always be remembered. RIP #ShashiKapoor ji
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) December 4, 2017
Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt said Shashi Kapoor revolutionised Indian theatre. "Shashi ji also contributed to the theatre movement hugely. Prithvi Theatre is like a 'shrine'... His contribution to the alternate cinema movement is also huge," he wrote.
As the skies burst and it begins to rain in this part of Mumbai. My heart is filled with deep gratitude. Thank you Sir ! You touched our lives only the way you could have . pic.twitter.com/IzRvKDOXM9
— Mahesh Bhatt (@MaheshNBhatt) December 4, 2017
Director Hansal Mehta tweeted, "RIP Shashi Kapoor. The charming man, the brave producer, the lovely actor, my neighbour is no more."
RIP Shashi Kapoor. The charming man, the brave producer, the lovely actor, my neighbour is no more.
— Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) December 4, 2017
Actor Ajay Devgn wrote, "You won't be forgotten. Rest in peace #ShashiKapoor ji."
You won't be forgotten. Rest in peace #ShashiKapoor ji.
— Ajay Devgn (@ajaydevgn) December 4, 2017
While Sanjay Dutt said the veteran actor would never be forgotten by his fans. "Shashi Kapoor ji you will be missed always," the actor tweeted.
His contribution to this industry will be remembered. May his soul rest in peace. Shashi Kapoor ji you will be missed always.
— Sanjay Dutt (@duttsanjay) December 4, 2017
Actor-writer Vinay Pathak posted one of the late star's photographs on social media and described him as his personal "Prithvi Theatre genie". "Nothing but diligence beauty and innocence... He was my Prithvi Theatre Genie! The stage is silent Truly a sad day!" he posted.
Nothing but diligence beauty n innocence.There can never b another(the most)easy handsomeness to the eyes,to the screen.He never shied away from stopping you on the street n giving U a hug!He was my Prithvi Theatre Genie!The stage is silent
— Vinay Pathak (@pathakvinay) December 4, 2017
Truly a sad day !<heartbroken>
RIP pic.twitter.com/beMkjaOxPc
Actor Boman Irani tweeted, "Handsome is that handsome does ... He was. He did. He lives on."
Handsome is that handsome does.....
— Boman Irani (@bomanirani) December 4, 2017
He was. He did. He lives on......#RIPShashiKapoor
Poonam Dhillon also took to Twitter to express her heartfelt condolences.
Just landed in Mumbai to extemly sad news of my very dear #ShashiKapoor ,co actor of my First film passed away!!Gentleman with Charm personified,Classy, Witty,Disciplined and handsome are just few of the words that mildly discribe him . Cherish my time With him!Irreplacable Man! pic.twitter.com/rn4vi9VqaI
— poonam dhillon (@poonamdhillon) December 4, 2017
Did films like Trishul , Sawaal, Basera, Bepanah Etc with this utterly beautiful handsome man!!!Loss not only to The Kapoor Family & Film Industry but to Nation. RIP Shashi uncle
— poonam dhillon (@poonamdhillon) December 4, 2017
Karan Johar wrote, "#RIPShashiKapoor ...the most charming and enigmatic actor ever...a gentleman movie star! His legacy in film and theatre is exceptional...thoughts and prayers with the family....his work will always live on..."
#RIPShashiKapoor ...the most charming and enigmatic actor ever...a gentleman movie star! His legacy in film and theatre is exceptional...thoughts and prayers with the family....his work will always live on... pic.twitter.com/U9jsAGxGET
— Karan Johar (@karanjohar) December 4, 2017
Filmmaker Subhash Ghai said working with Shashi Kapoor was a learning experience for him. "I worked with him in two movies. 'Gautam Govinda' and 'Krodhi' in late '70s. And learnt a lot from him like work ethics, discipline, time planning, compassion and above all his love and passion for good cinema and theatre development," Ghai tweeted.
Actor Shekhar Suman, who made his Bollywood debut with Utsav, produced by Shashi Kapoor, said he was grateful to the late actor for giving him his first break. "Saddest day of my life... The man to whom I owe my entire career. I am grateful to him for all my professional achievements, for giving me my first and the biggest break as a lead in 'Utsav' opposite Rekha... I'm heartbroken," Suman said in a statement.
Saddest day of my life..Shashi Kapoor ji passed away.The man to whom i owe my entire career.all my professional achievements is thanks to him who gave me my first n the biggest break as a lead in "Utsav" opp Rekha.will miss u ev moment of my life.
— Shekhar Suman (@shekharsuman7) December 4, 2017
Shashi Kapoor was the handsomest man the film industry has ever seen.A ladies man..a gentleman..a great actor and a passionate producer.i grew up imitating him trying to look like him.i can't bear the thought that he is no more.im heartbroken.
— Shekhar Suman (@shekharsuman7) December 4, 2017
A host of artistes paid homage to the late actor at his residence today. Among them were the Bachchans -- Amitabh, Aishwarya and Abhishek -- Rani Mukerji, Kajol, Kareena Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Boney Kapoor and Karisma Kapoor.