JENNIFER KAPOOR

SHASHI KAPOOR AND JENNIFER KENDALL MET IN CALCUTTA WHILE TRAVELLING WITH THE PRITHVI THEATRE AND SHAKESPEAREANA RESPECTIVELY. AND, AFTER A LONG AND COMPLICATED COURTSHIP, GOT MARRIED. THEY WOULD HAVE LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER, HAD JENNIFER NOT DIED OF CANCER IN 1984. TODAY, SHASHI LIVES WITH HIS MEMORIES AND THREE TALENTED CHILDREN WHO ARE A LIVING LEGACY OF JENNIFER KAPOOR - WIFE AND MOTHER PAR EXCELLENCE

Their closeness was a thing of beauty, of togetherness and then nothing. Twenty eight years must take some adjusting to. "But." says Shashi Kapoor, as he reviews life 13 years after wife Jennifer's passing away, "I sense her presence often. And the house, and everything in it, is just as it was when she was alive." How did the orient meet the occident in this case? Both Shashi and Jennifer were theatre people and it was their love for theatre that brought them together. Those were the days when the Prithvi Theatre, underPrithviraj Kapoor, was a thriving group. On the other hand, you had the Shakespeareana under Geoffrey Kendall, which had its own standing. Both the groups happened to be performing in Calcutta at the time in 1956. Shashi. The youngest son of Prithviraj Kapoor and younger brother of Raj and Shammi Kapoor, was then 18 and doing the dual roles of actor and assistant stage manager at Prithvi Theatre. And then one day, while a performance was on at the Empire theatre, Shashi was peering through the corner of the curtain to check out the audience reaction. "My glance fell on this fabulous looking girl who looked Russian." Shashi remembers. "Her face glowed pink. I tried to find out who she was and learnt that she was part of another theatre group -- one from the U.K. called Shakespearna, and since our contract had been extended they were at a loose end till we vacated the theatre. because they, too, were scheduled to perform there. I saw her in the theatre again the next day, and I couldn't stop thinking about her. So one day, I persuaded a cousin of mine to go with me to their hotel which was close by. I was so shy that I would never have been able to venture out on my own. I'd never had an affair and the only girls we were conversant with were from our own family. When we reached the hotel, she was there having dinner with her family. I was introduced to her father and we chatted a while, but she refused to even look up from her meal and I left without having exchanged a single word with her. I was very dejected. But the next day, she came for our play again and later came backstage and invited me for her play to be performed at a city college. You can imagine how I felt. I went. This was my first experience of watching Shakespeare on stage. I did not quite understand the language, Pucca English, but remember how lovely Jennifer looked in the role of Miranda in the play 'The Tempest'."

Shashi and Jennifer had obviously touched a chord in each other's hearts: but did not know how to make that first meaningful move. Shashi was too young and too inexperienced, and Jennifer too shy, suffering from the usual constraints a girl faces in such a situation. Says Shashi. "I was a real coward. It took me ages to even hold her hand. " Seems a little strange to hear the very suave, very charming Shashi Kapoor, who can today charm anything remotely female, saying this. But, I guess, everyone has to start somewhere. One day, he and Jennifer were to go to see a film. Shashi, who had, by then, been spending every free moment with Jennifer picked her up to go to the.theatre. Those days he earned a very small salary and travelled by local train. It was in the crowded train compartment, when the train suddenly jerked and he caught hold of Jennifer's hand to steady her. It had finally happened. But the problem was, as Shashi says, "I did not know how to let go of her hand after that"

During those courtship days I could only afford to take her to small vegetarian restaurants where a 'puri-bhaji' would cost four annas' and the height of luxury was a slap-up meal at Gordons for the princely sum of Rs. two or Rs. 2.50 The courtship would have continued indefinitely. as Shashl could not nerve himself to make a declaration of any kind. Then one day elder brother Shammi Kapoor took him to task and told him to bring Jennifer home to meet the parents. " But I chickened out because I thought I'd be thrashed." Shashi laughs."So I compromised and took Jennifer to Shammiji's place instead and Geeta Bhabhi promptly fell in love with her. A true romantic herself, she'd loan us her car and a little money to go out for a meal and a drive". Fed up of her sweetheart's delaying tactics, Jennifer, finally told Shashi. "You've known me for so long and never even made a pass at me. And I'm so much in love with you. That did it. Shashi spoke to his brother about Jennifer, who agreed in turn to speak to his father:. His parents, though not exactly overjoyed at the prospect of a British 'bahu', decided to give them a chance. provided they proved it was not puppy love. But Jennifer's father. the actor Geoffrey Kendall. was a different kettle of fish altogether. He was far from pleased. because, Jennifer, for him, was not only his daughter. she was also his heroine and manager of his company and he obviously didn't like the idea of losing her.

He told them in no unequivocal terms that they would have to wait for two years. Shashi started touring with the Shokespeareana Company because they were In need of a male juvenile lead. In 1958, when he asked Kendal once again for his daughter's hand he was refused. But this time Jennifer would have none of it. She put her foot down and told Shashi. "I'm mature and I want to marry you, let my father keep on refusing." So Jennifer and Shashi came to Bombay and were married in the traditional Indian style in July. 1958. The Kendalls did not attend the wedding.

Being a few years older than him, she was so protective of him and looked after him so well. that she became an indispensable part of Shashi's existence. For instance. Shashl, like a true blue Kapoor, loved to eat and drink. But it was Jennifer who'd monitor his diet and make sure he looked and kept fit enough to continue successfully in his career as a film star.

This woman who meant everything to Shashi, had no secrets from her husband. Except one. She tried to hide the fact that she had got cancer as long as possible from him and continued working for their labour of love at the Prithvi Theatre in Bombay. But, after a long and painful battle, Jennifer succumbed on September 7. 1984.

Shashi with a faraway look In his eyes says, "Everybody loved Jennifer. She was friends with everybody and everybody she came in contact with, loved her. I've always had my share of enemies, but Jennifer only had friends." And in this admission lies Shashi Kapoor's acknowledgment of that loving. giving person that was Jennifer Kapoor.

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The most handsome Kapoor

Shashi Kapoor was named Balbir Raj Prithviraj Kapoor when he was born on the 18th of March, 1938, in Kolkata, Paschimbanga. He belongs to the first family of Bollywood, the famous ‘Kapoor Khandaan’. He was born to Prithviraj Kapoor, film and theatre actor and Ramsarni Mehra. He is the youngest of three stalwart siblings; his eldest brother, Raj Kapoor was a famous Bollywood producer-director-actor, his other elder brother was the “Yahoo” star, Shammi Kapoor.

Kapoor Khandaan

With Brothers

He was a student of the Don Bosco High School, Mumbai. In 1958, he married his English sweetheart, theatre and film actress Jennifer Kendal. Both of them established Prithvi theatre in 1978, in Mumbai. They went on to have three beautiful children, Karan, Kunal and Sanjana Kapoor. His children tried their luck in Bollywood as actors, but failed to make a mark. But, they all went on ahead in life and found their goals elsewhere.  Kunal Kapoor moved onto a career of ad film direction and established his successful production house Adfilm-Valas, Karan Kapoor was successful as a model and later settled down in London to pursue a career in photography. Sanjana is the only one of his children who is still actively involved with theatre and has helped her father to keep Prithvi Theatre viable.

Sashi Kapoor’s Family Pictures

Sashi Kapoor as a child in Awara

Shashi Kapoor started young at the movies; in the early 1940s he appeared in various films under the name of Shashiraj, including the films Meena in 1941, Tadbir and Bachpan in 1945. He generally played the younger version of Raj Kapoor’s character in many of his movies. Some of his notable films include Aag in 1948 and Awaara in 1951. As a child artiste he managed to act in an astounding 19 films between 1944-54.

As Shashiraaj

He was active in theater acting too, right from the young age of four; he was part of his father’s Prithvi Theatre which showed plays directed and produced by Prithviraj Kapoor.

In 1959, he took the opportunity to work as an Assistant Director for Sunil Dutt’s debut film Post Box 999 and also for Ravindra Dave in the film Guest House in the same year. His other films as an assistant director include Raj Kapoor starrer film such as Dulha Dulhan and Shriman Satyawadi.

In Dharmputra

Shashi Kapoor debuted as a lead actor in the film Dharmputra, which was released in 1961. These was the start of a wonderful career that spanned three decades of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s; it boasts of impressive statistics that include 63 films as the main leading man, 53 multi starrers, 22 films where he appeared as a supporting actor as well as 5 special appearances.

Though his beginning list of movies that include Prem Patra and Char Diwari cannot be classified as box office successes, his subsequent releases established his image of a handsome, winsome and suave male lead.

In Jab Jab Phool Khile

With Nanda

He managed to click with nearly all the top actresses of that time; he not only shared great chemistry with all of them, he was never pigeonholed into acting with just a few. He has worked with actresses starting with Nanda, with whom he did a lot of commercially successful movies including the films Mohabbat Isko Kahete Hain and Jab Jab Phool Khile in 1965, Neend Hamari Khwab Tumhare in 1966, Raja Saab in 1969 and Rootha Na Karo in 1970.

In Aa Gale Lag Ja

With some actresses; he made popular pairings right from the 1960s, 70s to the 80s and they include Sharmila Tagore and Raakhee, He made a popular romantic on screen pair with Sharmila Tagore and their hits together include the films Waqt in 1965, Aamne Samne in 1967, Suhana Safar in 1970, Aa Gale Lag Ja in 1973 and Paap Aur Punya in 1974.

In Kabhi Kabhie

With Raakhee, Shashi had hit films like Sharmilee in 1971 and Kabhi Kabhie in 1976, Trishna in 1978, Baseraa in 1981,  Zameen Aasmaan in 1984 and Pighalta Aasman in 1985.

In Haseena Maan Jayegi

His outings with Babita created box office successes with films like Haseena Maan Jayegi in 1968 and Ek Shriman Ek Shrimati in 1969. Shashi Kapoor’s fims with Asha Parekh include Kanyadan and Pyar Ka Mausam in 1969.

In Satyam Shivam Sundaram

In Trishul

Shashi saw commercial success with his pairings with other actresses too, like Zeenat Aman, Parveen Babi, Moushumi Chatterjee and Hema Malini.  He starred with Zeenat in films like Chori Mera Kaam in 1975, Deewaange in 1976, Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Roti Kapda Aur Makan and Heeralal Pannalal in 1978. With Hema he starred in Abhinetri in 1970, Aap Beati in 1976, Apna Khoon and Trishul in 1978, Aandhi Toofan in 1985.

In Chor Machaye Shor

 He acted with other top actresses like Mumtaz in the film Chor Machaye Shor, with Reena Roy in the film Bezubaan. He acted opposite Rati Agnihotri in Bepanaah in  1985.

His films with Rekha include Chakkar Pe Chakkar in 1976, Maan Gaye Ustaad in 1981, Kali Ghata and Kalyug in 1981, Vijeta in 1982 and Pyaar Ki Jeet in 1987.

In New Delhi Times

In Muhafiz “In Custody”

Besides commercial success at the movies, Shashi Kapoor was recognized for his acting in the the film New Delhi Times in 1985, for which he was awarded the National Film Award for Best Actor in 1986 by the Government of India and the film Muhafiz “In Custody” in 1994, fetched him the National Award (Special Jury) for his performance.

In Fakira

In Deewaar

Some of his other hits as the solo leading man include the films Dil Ne Pukara in 1967 and Fakira in 1976. His success in the multi starrers include the films Deewaar in 1975, Suhaag in 1979, Namak Halal in 1982.

With Jennifer

In Ilzaam

In 1984, he suffered tragedy in his personal life when his wife Jennifer passed away due to cancer. Shashi soon started gaining weight leaving his debonair looks behind. He shifted to character roles and worked in films like Alag Alag and Ilzaam in 1986 and Sindoor in 1987. His last appearance was for the film Jinnah in 1998 as a narrator and Merchant Ivory’s production Side Streets in the same year.

In Householder

Shashi Kapoor is one of Bollywood’s earliest stars who ventured into British and American films. Merchant Ivory Productions quite often used his talents for their films and he appeared in many of James Ivory and Ismail Merchants’s films like Householder in 1963, Shakespeare Wallah in 1965 and Heat and Dust in 1982

Junoon

Vijeta

Being passionate about films and wanting to make his own brand of movies, Shashi Kapoor set up his production house, Film Valas,in 1978. He produced many movies which were critically acclaimed such as Junoon in 1978, Kalyug in 1981, 36 Chowringhee Lane, which had his wife in the lead role, in 1981, Vijeta in 1982, Utsav in 1984 and Ajooba in 1991.

Kalyug

As a producer, he has received the National Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi as well as the Filmfare Best Movie Award for his film Junoon in 1980 and in 1982, he received the Filmfare Best Movie Award again for his movie Kalyug. In 2010, he received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award and in 2011, he was honoured with the title of Padma Bhushan by the Government of India.

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