Veteran actor Shashi Kapoor to receive India’s highest honour for showbiz roles
MUMBAI: Veteran actor Shashi Kapoor, will receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2014, the government announced on Monday, becoming the third in his family to receive the country’s highest honour in Indian cinema.
Kapoor, 77, is known for his myriad roles in both mainstream and experimental cinema in India and in several international projects, most notably for his collaboration with Ismail Merchant and James Ivory, who directed him in fi lms like The Householder and Heat and Dust.
Kapoor, one of the Hindi fi lm industry’s three Kapoor brothers (the other two being Raj Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor), is part of what is known as Bollywood’s fi rst family.
“Congrats to Cinema Legend Shashi Kapoor for Dada Saheb Phalke Award.
“His sensitive portrayal of human emotions has touched many a heart!,” Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, tweeted.
Kapoor also set up Mumbai’s iconic Prithvi Theatre that is synonymous with experimental and avant- garde theatre. His daughter Sanjana now runs the venue.
Kapoor’s easy charm and intense demeanour made him an instant hit with audiences in the 60s and 70s.
He acted in blockbusters like Deewaar and Kabhie Kabhie alongside Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan.
Kapoor is also a three-time winner at the National Film Awards. In 2011, New Delhi had bestowed on him the Padma Bhushan award. — Reuters