There was something different and unique about the late legendary actor, Shashi Kapoor, that even today, an entire generation of women saw him as their 'dream guy'. From his dimples to his looks and the different intensity that only he could exhibit while delivering his dialogues, Shashi was a master in making people fall in love with him. He had acted in more than 174 films in his illustrious career spanning six decades. The handsome actor had also worked in some English films as the lead hero during his lifetime.
For the unversed, Shashi Kapoor had made his acting debut in Indian cinema as a child artist in his brother, Raj Kapoor's directorial debut film, Aag, in 1948, and it was in 1961 when he had made his full-fledged debut in Yash Chopra's movie, Dharamputra. Despite having an illustrious acting career in the film industry, he had always preferred to stay away from the limelight. Shashi had never flaunted his stardom and was known for his humble nature.
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It was in 1995, when Shashi Kapoor had sat down for a heart-to-heart conversation with renowned journalist, Priya Warrier and had shared some completely unexpected 'truths bombs' about his life. When Priya had asked the superstar to reveal the kind of actor he is and how he had ended up becoming an actor. Answering this, Shashi Kapoor had addressed himself as a 'Lazy actor' and had also revealed that he had never wanted to become an actor. Yes! You read it right, he had said:
"I'm a very lazy actor. My coming into films was kind of thrust upon me, not something I had wanted to do. Being thrust upon me, I did my duty and I worked."
Going further in the interview, Shashi Kapoor had also added that during the course of his illustrious career, he had upset a lot of directors, including his brother, Raj Kapoor, because of his style of work. When Priya Warrier had urged the actor to share some details of his working style, Shashi Kapoor had revealed that he had a strict policy of not working on Sundays and important festivals like Diwali, Holi, and others. Reflecting on his working style, he had stated:
"I was on time, very disciplined but did not work on Sundays, took six weeks off from work to be with the family. I did upset a lot of producers and directors, including my brother, Mr Raj Kapoor, when I did Satyam Shivam Sundaram. I refused to work on Sundays, Christmas, New Year, Diwali and Holi. In the hindi film world, there is no such thing like a holiday."
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In the same interview, Shashi Kapoor had also shared that once, he had threatened his mother, Ramsarni Mehra Kapoor, to commit suicide during his schooling in Barnes School, Deolali. Recalling the whole incident and the major reason behind his decision to threaten his mom with such a chilling warning, the actor had revealed:
"I wasn't feeling very happy about my Matric results and he realized that I was in an emotional mess. He took me to Matheran for a holiday. When I was sent to Barnes School in Deolali, it was Shammi ji who came to drop me there. Afterwards, I sent a suicide note: 'The food is not good. I don't like it here. If you don't get me out of here, I'll commit suicide'. My mother told Shammi to bring me back. Khanaa achcha hona chahiye. Shammiji was very soft with me."
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The legacy of Shashi Kapoor has inspired many actors in some way or the other!
