Celebrating Shashi Kapoor’s birthday anniversary, the brilliant Shabana Azmi speaks with Subhash K Jha about her “crush” on him and fondly remembers working with the esteemed actor that arguably every woman loves.
Shashi Kapoor’s birth anniversary today…how do you remember him?
He was my teenage crush. I used to skip food that was allowed to me for pocket money and buy a photo of him. Then when he came with family to visit Papaji (Prithviraj Kapoor) who was our neighbour, I would shyly give him the photo for his autograph and then run away.
Eventually, he was your co-star in quite a few films, including the outstanding Junoon?
I couldn’t believe I was working opposite him in Heera Aur Patthar! Then several films followed and he used to tease me constantly. He was definitely the most good looking hero of all times.
Was working with him a learning experience?
He taught me several things about lighting, how to keep my head lowered to avoid the top light etc. He would make me stare into the reflector so I could get used to it. Those days, the reflectors were very harsh, and my eyes would tear up.
His passion for theatre was insane?
He used the money he earned to build Prithvi Theatre, which is an institution. And to make films like 36 Chowringhee Lane…he launched Aparna Sen as a director.
His later years were painful for him and his fans?
Sadly, he let himself go after his wife Jennifer passed away, and he fell ill. He was known as the pretty boy, but he was also a good actor and the first to work in Hollywood with Pretty Polly. His contribution to Indian cinema is yet to be fully appreciated. He will always be remembered.
