Indian theatre has much to thank Shashi Kapoor for

The Prithvi Theatre, which he set up with his wife, is a unique space: It embraces all kinds of ideas and people

Over and above the charming chocolate-boy lover in mainstream cinema, the unforgettable phrase “mere paas maa hai” in the film Deewar (1975) and the gems of meaningful cinema to which he committed his money, Shashi Kapoor has left behind a splendid legacy: Prithvi Theatre.

For culture patrons, Prithvi feeds the soul. For practitioners of theatre, it is a place where they will be nurtured and showcased with pride. For travelling troupes, a temporary home; for budget theatre, a stage. For artistes, Prithvi is where pretences can be dropped and interactions with audiences and artistes can become rich. Here’s where Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Nadira Zaheer Babbar, Dinesh Thakur, Makarand Deshpande, Sunil Shanbag showed – and continue to show – their work. For music aficionados, it is among the best baithak-style spaces in the city. On special nights such February 28, Ustad Zakir Husain unveils a music evening, which he curates and performs in an intimate environment. It’s his gift to the late Jennifer Kapoor who passed away that day in 1984.

Every year, Shashi Kapoor would be at the Prithvi, welcoming invitees and making notes without caring about his star status. In later years, he would be there in his wheelchair, smiling and allowing selfies. His special chair would be wheeled in after the last bell and placed near an exit. Prithvi was his and Jennifer’s space, a legacy they built for their parents: Prithviraj Kapoor and Laura-geoffrey Kendall. Prithvi is a small auditorium, accommodating only 200-220 people. Tickets are priced under Rs 500, seating is on a first-comefirst-served basis, and new groups can afford slots. Yet, it stands defiantly in upscale Juhu.

All this might not have been possible without Shashi and Jennifer Kapoor’s dedication, money, time and energy. Prithviraj Kapoor had a travelling repertory called Prithvi Theatres since 1944. By the 1960s, he wanted a “home” for the troupe. The state leased him the plot in Juhu but Kapoor could not build anything before he passed away in 1972. Shashi and Jennifer took the plunge. The theatre was their shared dream. Much hard work later, the Prithvi Theatre opened in 1978. After their mother’s death, Sanjna and Kunal built on their parents’ work. The Prithvi Theatre complex doesn’t have gates. It is because, as Shashi Kapoor once told me, a theatre should be open and welcoming , willing to embrace all ideas and people, and make them its own.

Come rain or shine, the lights come on at Prithvi every evening (except Mondays). They did even on February 28, 1984, when Jennifer passed away. Shashi Kapoor wanted it that way. He breathed his last on December 4. The lights stayed off. His place near the exit is vacant now but his spirit remains in Prithvi.