Friends and Family react to Shashi Kapoor receiving the Dada Saheb Phalke Award
Mumbai: Yesteryear actor Shashi Kapoor will be conferred the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke award for his contribution to Indian cinema. The Dadasaheb Phalke Award will be given out with the National Film Awards this year. Last year's recipient was lyricist-director Gulzar.
Shabana Azmi(co-star in Junoon, Fakira) : “It is fantastic news! I am over the moon!! He has been a trailblazer in so many ways. He was the first Indian actor to work in Hollywood. He was the first mainstream actor who when he turned producer did so with artistic cinema like 36 Chowringhee Lane and Junoon. He is a dream producer. He has built an institution, Prithvi Theatres which has given Mumbai a cultural space like no other. All that he earned he gave back to the world of art. He didn’t become a real-estate dealer or pump his money into stocks and shares. My congratulations to Shashiji.”
Sharmila Tagore(co-star in Waqt, Paap Aur Punya, My Love, Aa Gale Lag Jaa,Anari): “I am very happy for Shashi. His work as an actor and then as a producer of important off-mainstream cinema makes him unique. He was the first Indian actor to work abroad, and that too with an eminent director like James Ivory. Together they did exemplary work. Shashi worked really hard to achieve what he did as an actor and producer. He is an exceptionally soft-spoken co-star and also a very considerate team player on the sets. He is very kind to all the technicians. He has generated tremendous goodwill in cinema and theatre. He is an extraordinarily versatile artiste.”
Hema Malini(co-star in Abhinetri, Jahan Pyar Miley, Naach Uthe Sansaar, Trishul): “It is wonderful news. I am genuinely happy for him.”
Raakhee Gulzar(co-star in Sharmilee, Kabhi Kabhie and Trishna): “He has been neglected for too long. This award is richly deserved.”
Kunal Kapoor(son): “Dad chuckled when I told him about the award. I am very happy and proud.”
Aditya Raj Kapoor(Shashi’s brother Shammi Kapoor’s son): “A handsome gift to an extremely handsome man. I was an assistant to Raj Kapoor Saab in Satyam Shivum Sunderam. And I remember no one in the unit, male or female, could take their eyes off Shashi Uncle. He used his divine looks and stellar performances against one and all to embellish movie history with his remarkable presence.”
Shyam Benegal(director of the Shashi Kapoor productions Junoon and Kalyug): “I am absolutely delighted. But this award could have come sooner. Shashi’s contribution to both cinema and theatre has been immense.”
Govind Nihalani(director of the Shashi Kapoor production Vijeta): “The Dada Saheb Phalke award to Shashiji is most eminently deserved. It is not just for his splendid performances but also for his genuine commitment and contribution and support to Indian cinema of refined content, aesthetics and human values.”
Pahlaj Nihalani: “Shashi Kapoor is the only person from the film industry outside my family whom I’ve co-produced a film with. The film was Chor Sipahee in 1977. Shashi said to me, ‘Your film with me is the only one that has given me any profits.’ We couldn’t produce any more films together. Shashi got too busy as an actor. I remember he was shooting for four films simultaneously at Filmistan studios. He would change his shirt and move from one set to another. Shashi has had an amazing career as an actor. He started as child in Awara, did his first film as hero in Dharmputra when he was a teenager, then moved to films like Jab Jab Phool Kile in the 1960s, Fakira and Chor Machaye Shor in the 1970s. I worked with him in three films. He was and he is one of his kind.”
