Shashi Kapoor, Hindi cinema's Adonis, passes away in Mumbai at 79

Actor Shashi Kapoor died in Mumbai today. He was 79. The actor was admitted to the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani hospital in Mumbai late on Sunday and passed away on Monday evening. The actor is survived by daughter Sanjana Kapoor and two sons, Kunal Kapoor and Karan Kapoor. 

Dr Ram Narain, executive director of the hospital, said, "Mr Shashi Kapoor expired at 5.20 pm on 4 December at Kokilaben Hospital in Mumbai."

Shashi, youngest son of Prithviraj Kapoor, made his debut as a child actor in Raj Kapoor's Aag (1948) and also featured in Awara (1951). He made his debut as a lead actor in Yash Chopra's Dharmputra (1961) and went on to act in over 100 films, including some classics like Waqt (1965), Jab Jab Phool Khile (1965) and Sharmeelee (1971). The actor formed a formidable partnership with Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s and early 1980s, starring in films like Deewaar (1975), Kabhi Kabhie (1976), Trishul (1978), Kaala Patthar (1979) and Namak Halaal (1982), among others. 

Kapoor was among the first actors to establish a successful international collaboration through his films with Merchant-Ivory Productions. The actor's performances in The Householder (1963), Shakespearewallah (1965) and Heat And Dust (1983) earned him international recognition. 

Kapoor was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the government of India in 2011 and the Dadasaheb Phalke award in 2015. The actor was also awarded the FIlmfare Lifetime Achievement award in 2010. 

Shashi Kapoor and his wife Jennifer Kendal were instrumental in establishing and nurturing the iconic Prithvi theatre in Mumbai. The actor lost Jennifer to cancer in 1984.