Shashi Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan were an extremely successful on-screen pair who have given multiple blockbusters like Deewar, Kabhie Kabhie, Namak Halal, Trishul and many more. Shashi Kapoor passed away yesterday at the age of 79 after battling a prolonged illness and his family and friends rushed to his residence last night, including his frequent co-star Amitabh Bachchan.
Mr. Bachchan has written a heartfelt and moving tribute to Shashi Kapoor and their friendship, which is honestly one of the sweetest things you will read today.
Here’s an excerpt –
Standing elegantly without a care in the world, I saw him standing by a Mercedes Sports car, a convertible, a smart trimmed beard and moustache, adorning involuntarily, the face of this incredibly handsome man. It was a picture that filled almost an entire page of a magazine.
Shashi Kapoor … son of Prithviraj Kapoor, younger brother to Raj Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor, making a debut in a forthcoming film, is what the caption read ..
And I said to myself, as very uncertain thoughts raced through my mind of wanting to become a film actor, that, with men like him around, I stood no chance at all ..
1969, and those early years of efforts to join the Industry were also the times when there was a close proximity, to the area of an atmosphere, that swivelled around this most attractive man. On and off, common friends in the Industry, which I was just getting acquainted with, would introduce me to him at select social gatherings ..
“ Shashi Kapoor !” was what one heard as he extended a warm soft hand out to you in introduction ; that devastating smile complimenting the twinkle in his eyes. He needn’t have done so. Every one knew him. But this was his infectious humble self. When he spoke, there was a mischievous, gentle, almost inaudible, delicate, yodel, in his voice – most endearing and comforting to the one he was introduced to.
You can read the entire blog here.