Yours, Faithfully

Salim Khan, Writer

Shashiji was a wonderful human being. He was also a very committed and professional actor. He wasn't linked to any controversies and led a simple life. Even when he got a small or weak role, he would give it one hundred per cent because he was committed to it. Bahut mehnat se kaam karte the and he never complained. He never had a problem with anyone, whether he was playing the lead or the second hero. He worked with many big directors but never had an issue with anyone.

Subhash Ghai, Filmmaker

I worked with him in two movies, Gautam Govinda and Krodhi in the late '70s. I learnt a lot from him, like work ethics, discipline, time management, compassion, humility and above all his love and passion for good cinema and theatre development in India. He was a handsome gentleman with a beautiful mind and heart. An inspiring institution. R.I.P.

Moushumi Chatterjee, Actor

Naina was our first film together. I was very nervous but he made sure I was comfortable while working with him. There was a lot to learn from him. As an actor, he always supported his co-actors. With his passing, an era has ended. He was a real gentleman and it is just not possible to describe him in words.

Dimple Kapadia, Actor

I have very fond and dear memories of him; he was the first man whose smile made me go weak in the knees. We did a film together that he directed, and he was absolutely stupendous. He was a lovely and brilliant human being. He was also very kind. It is indeed a huge loss for all of us.

Govinda, Actor

My career's first film Ilzaam was with Shashiji and he touched my heart on the very first day, when he saw me dancing on stage in the shot. As a senior, he called me and his first wise words to me have stayed with me ever since: 'Kisi din tum unchaai chuoge. Apni health ka khyaal rakhna.' He was so kind and nice to me. I pray to God that his soul rests in peace.

Poonam Dhillon, Actor

Shashiji was the most charming and handsome man in our industry. He had a huge fan following and everyone loved him; he was a gentleman who cared about everyone around him. There are many good-looking heroes today, but there is only one Shashi Kapoor. Everyone around him always loved him. He was particular about following a disciplined life, which is why he lived life to the fullest.

I never once saw him assert his ego or throw attitude or arrogance towards anyone on the sets. And I believe that is why everyone loved him so much. People who worked with him once wanted to work with him again and again. He was a favourite among producers, co-actors, directors and everyone on the sets. The industry has experienced a major loss.

Padmini Kohlapure, Actor

He was such a fine human being and a polished man. I always called him 'Shashi uncle'. I didn't act with him in Satyam Shivam Sundaram but I interacted so much with him as I am very close to the Kapoor family. He was such a happy, jovial man, I never saw him sulking, morose,

or angry.

When a shot used to be delayed or if something went wrong somewhere, he never once lost his temper. That's how I remember him. I don't know how to explain it but he kind of tried to reconcile people in the industry. The way he used to introduce himself, saying, 'Mera naam hai Shashi Kapoor' was so impactful!

Shekhar Suman, Actor-Filmmaker

The day Shashi Kapoorji passed away was the saddest day of my life, the man to whom I owe my entire career. I am grateful to him for all my professional achievements, for giving me my first and biggest break as a lead in Utsav opposite Rekha. I will miss him every moment of my life. I grew up imitating him and trying to look like him. I can't bear the thought that he is no more. I am heartbroken.

Anees Bazmee, Director

I have seen many of his films over the years. I have been very fond of Shashi Kapoor as he was very charming and a wonderful actor. He had a different kind of style that was distinctively his own. And above all, he was a very good human being. Even his face had that goodness about him which would just show you how innocent he is. I have even seen his earlier works as a child artist. I used to work as an assistant for Raj Kapoor so I knew Shashiji and the entire Kapoor family very well. Whenever I would get the opportunity to meet Shashiji, it would be wonderful to just talk to him and joke around with him. It has been a huge loss for all. I would go to the Prithvi theatre many times to watch plays or just sit there. I would see the energy there and the actors who were performing plays and it seemed amazing the kind of platform Shashiji created and left behind for the theatre world. When I heard about him passing away, I was extremely sad. Everyone has to go some day but some people just leave a void in your life when they go and Shashi sahab was that kind of person. This loss will always be there for us because he was not only a good actor but a spectacular human being too. Whomever one speaks, they all have similar stories about him because of the person he was. If someone met him even once, they would never forget that meeting as Shashiji met everyone with such openness and love, it was just beautiful.

Puneet Issar, Actor

For me, he was the most charismatic actor and also a style icon. He was also very well-educated and had a fantastic sense of humour. I worked on the film Akhri Muqabla with him, where I played the villain and he was the central character. He was immaculate and very sophisticated, not at all loud like the other typical Indian actors. He was a pioneer of the new-age cinema that we talk about now. He was the one who

started offbeat films, the ones that Shyam Benegal made. He lost so much money making these films. He always thought that since he had done so well in commercial films, it was his duty to give back to Indian cinema by making meaningful and good movies.

Rumi Jaffery, Writer

When I came to Bombay from Bhopal in the '80s, I acted in a play called 'Laila Majnu.'

Shashiji saw the play and liked it so much that he kept praising it. He told us this was a play that would be remembered forever. When the Prithvi Theatre festival was held in 1987, he told us to open that prestigious festival with Laila Majnu. This was how my connection with him began.

One of the first friends I made in the industry was Rishi Kapoor. I was close to his brothers too, especially Dabbooji (Randhir Kapoor). When we were all in New York for the shoot of Aa Ab Laut Chalen, Shashi uncle was there to give the first clap.

I learnt that he had passed away when Amitji (Amitabh Bachchan) messaged me about it. I was so saddened that instead of saying anything myself, I wrote a few lines on Shashiji and sent it to Amitji, which he put on his blog.

My only regret is that while I did get many opportunities to interact with him, I didn't get a chance to actually work with him. Sadly, I was too junior for that. Whenever one is around him, one feels so nice. Unse haath milaane aur gale milne mein hi itna acha lagta tha. When he smiled at you, it made your day. And that is why it hurt to see him in a wheelchair during these last few years. It was great to have known a man like him.

Ramesh Taurani, Producer

As an actor, he was brilliant. He was one of the most handsome actors of his time and I don't think the Hindi film industry has ever seen a more good-looking actor than him. I had the pleasure of meeting him just once in my life. He was a very warm and welcoming person. When you are in his company, you are surrounded by his aura. People have grown up watching his movies. My only regret is that I didn't get a chance to work with him.

Boman Irani, Actor

Unfortunately for me, I joined the industry after he had retired, so I didn't get the opportunity to work with him. But I recall an encounter I once had with him before I became an actor.

Years ago, I was attending a friend's wedding. She was a cashier in a bank in South Bombay, where Shashi Kapoor personally went to get his transactions done. It speaks a lot for him, that despite being a star, he would run his own errands instead of appointing someone to do them for him. So when he went to the bank, my friend, as a gesture, invited him to her wedding. He actually showed up for the celebration and took everyone by surprise! The entire Parsi baug went crazy that their darling Shashi Kapoor was there.

Coincidentally, my seat was right next to his and he was so sweet and humble that he casually chatted with me throughout dinner. He spoke to me as if he was just another guest and, that too, for a very long time. He didn't behave like a star at all and was so

gracious to everyone. He enjoyed the Parsi food along with a drink and thanked everyone

so sweetly.