New Delhi: Veteran actor Shashi Kapoor, the 46th recipient of the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke award, could not make it to the 62nd National Film Awards due to ill health, but was recognised with a special documentary and a standing ovation by the audience here.
President Pranab Mukherjee hailed Kapoor, the third in his family to get Indian cinema's highest award after father
Prithviraj Kapoor and brother Raj Kapoor, as a "living legend".
"His contribution to cinema has been manifold and tremendous. He is a true living legend," the President said.
"Shashi Kapoor is the third person to win the Dada Saheb Phalke award from his family, the others being Prithviraj
Kapoor and Raj Kapoor. My compliments to the family, which has given so much to Indian cinema," Mukherjee said while wishing the actor good health and life.
Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Arun Jaitley, congratulated the veteran actor for the award.
"The contribution of his illustrious family to Indian cinema is immense and Shri Shashi Kapoor has played a unique
part by producing a number of meaningful films as well as performing in well-known international productions," Jaitley said.
Kapoor, 77, will be given the trophy at his home by the government. His colleagues from the industry like Amitabh
Bachchan, Sharmila Tagore and Shabana Azmi paid him a tribute in a documentary on the actor's life. The video had voice-over by the young star from the family, Ranbir.
Shashi Kapoor, the youngest of Prithviraj's four children, grew up to be a charismatic actor. He charmed the audience
with his good looks ans flamboyant dancing style in mainstream films while also nurturing alternative cinema and theatre.
One of the first actors to venture into international cinema through Merchant-Ivory productions, Kapoor fulfilled
his father's dream by establishing Prithvi Theatre.
Making his debut with 'Dharmputra' in 1961, Kapoor went on to deliver hits like 'Char Diwari', 'Deewar' and 'Jab Jab Phool Khilen'.
His international films include 'The Householder', 'Shakespeare Wallah', 'Bombay Talkies', co-starring wife Jennifer Kendal, 'Siddhartha' and 'Heat and Dust'.
He won National Film awards for 'New Delhi Times', 'Muhafiz', '36 Chowringhee Lane' and 'Junoon'.
