Shashi Kapoor's Shaan@77

Veteran Bollywood actor Shashi Kapoor, who charmed generations of cine-goers, turns 77 today. The actor, who has been unwell for some time, was hospitalised for a chest infection in September, but was discharged later.

Here's a look at his Bollywood journey as he turns a year older.

The youngest son of theatre and film actor Prithviraj Kapoor and Ramsarni "Rama" Mehra Kapoor was born Balbir Raj Prithviraj Kapoor on March 18, 1938 in Kolkata.

Shashi Kapoor was one of the first Indian actors to make it big in both Bollywood and parallel cinema and the multi-faceted star wore many hats in his over five-decade-long career.

The young Shashi went to Don Bosco High School in Matunga, Mumbai.

He grew up traveling around the country with his father's theatre group, Prithvi, and began appearing on stage from the age of four.

As a child, he appeared in mythological films as well as in films starring his eldest brother Raj Kapoor, playing the younger version of Raj's character in Aag (1948) and Awaara (1951).

Shashi Kapoor first met his wife Jennifer Kendal in 1956 in Kolkata. At the time, he was working as an actor and assistant stage manager for Prithvi while she was playing Miranda in the play The Tempest, as part of the Shakespeareana theatre group run by her father Geoffrey Kendal.

In true filmy style, Shashi had to win over not just the woman of his dreams but also her disapproving father. A romance blossomed, helped by Shashi's other brother Shammi Kapoor's wife, actress Geeta Bali. Shashi and Jennifer married in July 1958, much before Shashi Kapoor became a Bollywood star.

Jennifer and Shashi starred together in a number of films, many made by Merchant Ivory Productions. The two were instrumental in reviving the Prithvi theatre group, and in establishing the actual theatre itself in Mumbai.

Jennifer Kapoor died of cancer in 1984.

Jennifer and Shashi Kapoor had three children - Karan, Kunal Kapoor and Sanjana. All three looked for Bollywood careers with little luck.

Karan Kapoor debuted with Sultanat (1986) and later acted in Loha (1987). He also appeared in the British TV series The Jewel in the Crown in 1984 and modeled for major Indian brands, including Bombay Dyeing. His blonde good looks were blamed for his failure to score with the Indian audience.

He later became a photographer and now lives in London with his wife, daughter and son.

Shashi's daughter Sanjana was the first Kapoor daughter to act but found little success beyond stage and television. She made her acting debut in the 1981 film 36 Chowringhee Lane, which was produced by her father and starred her mother Jennifer in the lead. She also appeared in Utsav (1984) and played her first leading role in Hero Hiralal (1988) which was a box-office dud. She was last seen in Mira Nair's acclaimed Salaam Bombay (1988) after which she quit films and shifted her focus to theatre. She married environmentalist Valmik Thapar and the couple have a son.

Meanwhile, Kunal Kapoor debuted with the 1972 English film Siddhartha. He then appeared in Shyam Benegal's acclaimed 1978 film Junoon, which also featured his father, mother and both his siblings. In 1981, he appeared in his first mainstream Bollywood film Ahista Ahista which, despite being a hit, failed to launch his career. He was also seen in Vijeta, Utsav (1984), Sajan Tara Sambharna and Trikaal (1985). He then settled into a career as director and producer, making mainly ad films. He has two children with his wife Sheena, daughter of Sholay director Ramesh Sippy.

Shashi Kapoor made his debut as a leading man in Bollywood with Yash Chopra's film Dharmputra (1961). He played the role of Dilip Rai in the film.

His first Merchant Ivory film, 1963's The Householder (Gharbar), also starred late actress Leela Naidu.

Shashi Kapoor had three releases in 1965, which included Yash Chopra's Waqt, Merchant Ivory's Shakespearewallah, and Jab Jab Phool Khile. Of the three, Jab Jab Phool Khile became a blockbuster hit. The movie, which is still remembered for its songs, had Shashi Kapoor's favourite heroine Nanda, playing the female lead.

The year 1967 didn't prove to be a very good year for Shashi as both of his releases, Aamne Saamne and Pretty Polly, flopped at the box office. The latter was a British film directed by Guy Green.

1968 was the year of double roles for Shashi Kapoor. Haseena Maan Jayegi and Kanyadaan both had him playing dual characters.

Shashi Kapoor was seen in the 1969 hit movie Pyar Ka Mausam, directed by Nasir Hussain. The song Tum Bin Jaoon Kahan became a super hit. The movie also starred Bharat Bhushan and Asha Parekh.

Merchant Ivory production Bombay Talkies released in 1970. Shashi Kapoor's wife Jennifer Kendal played the female lead in the movie.

In 1971, Shashi Kapoor acted in the superhit movie Sharmeelee. Rakhee played a double role in the movie, which had music by S D Burman.

Shashi played the main protagonist in the movie Siddhartha (1972). Simi Garewal's nude scene in the film caused a huge controversy at a time when even on-screen kissing was rare in Indian films.

Aa Gale Lag Ja, starring Shashi Kapoor, Sharmila Tagore and Shatrughan Sinha released in 1973. The movie became a hit.

Roti Kapda Aur Makaan, starring Shashi Kapoor, Manoj Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan, became the biggest hit of 1974. It was the first of many hit films starring Shashi and Amitabh.

Deewar (1975) was yet another blockbuster. The movie is still remembered for the famous dialogue “Mere paas maa hai,” spoken by Shashi Kapoor. Directed by Yash Chopra, the movie tells the story of two brothers who struggle to survive on the streets of Mumbai and end up on opposite sides of the law.

Produced and directed by Yash Chopra, Kabhie Kabhie (1976) was a huge commercial success. Apart from Shashi Kapoor, the movie also starred Amitabh Bachchan, Waheeda Rehman, Rakhee, Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh. The movie was also noted for its soundtrack.

Then came Raj Kapoor's Satyam Shivam Sundaram (1978), which had Shashi Kapoor and Zeenat Aman in the lead. The film faced a stiff battle in getting past the Censor Board because of some of its scenes, including one showing a bare-backed Zeenat.

In the same year, Shashi Kapoor released his first production, Junoon directed by Shyam Benegal and co-starring his wife Jennifer.

His other movies Suhaag and Kaala Pathar also released in the same year.

Shashi Kapoor teamed-up with Amitabh Bachchan again in Do Aur Do Paanch (1979), Shaan (1980), and Silsila (1981).

Shashi and Amitabh Bachchan were back with the blockbuster Namak Halaal in 1982. The movie's memorable songs are considered classics of the disco era.

In 1983, Shashi Kapoor appeared in the Merchant Ivory movie Heat And Dust.

After a gap of three years, Shashi Kapoor returned to the big screen with Romesh Sharma's New Delhi Times (1986). The movie dealt with the issue of political corruption and media and many distributors refused to run the film. The same movie later went on to win three National Awards.

The aging Shashi Kapoor was then seen in character roles in movies like Ijaazat, Pyaar Ki Jeet and Clerk. He also continued to feature in some other movies by Merchant Ivory Productions.

Shashi Kapoor also produced and directed Ajooba, starring Amitabh Bachchan, in 1991. He produced movies like Junoon (1978), Kalyug (1980), 36 Chowringhee Lane (1981), Vijeta (1982), Utsav (1984) and Raman (1993).

In 2011, Shashi Kapoor received the Padma Bhushan. He has also won the National Award thrice, and a slew of other film awards.

We wish the actor a very happy birthday.