Rishi Kapoor (Shashi’s nephew and co-star in Kabhi Kabhie, Doosra Aadmi and others films) is thrilled that his uncle got honoured by the Dadasaheb Phalke award. He however had one question to ask. “Our family is thrilled that Shashi Uncle has been honoured. It’s a great day for the Kapoors. Thank You India, thank you Government of India and thank you audience for believing in the Kapoors. My only question to the government is, why has it not conferred this same honour posthumously on my other uncle Shammi Kapoor? No one can deny that Shammi Uncle too left an indelible mark with his unique acting style, “said Rishi.
He soon got back into celebratory mood and continued, “Having said that, let me not sound like a spoilsport. Let me confess I am delighted! Shashi Uncle is the third member of our family to win the Padma and the Phalke awards. Before him, my grandfather Prithvi Raj Kapoor and father Raj Kapoor received the same. Shashi Uncle has championed the making of the so-called art films at a time during the 1970s when Hindi cinema was churning out masala potboilers. He did the so-called potboilers too, but invested his money in thoughtful cinema like 36 Chowringhee Lane, Vijeta andUtsav. Aaj kal multiplex ka zamana hai. And the kind of films that Shashi Uncle championed are still being made for a niche audience, films like Queen, Badlapur, Dum Laga Ke Haisha and NH10. Shashi Uncle made the Prithvi Theatre into a reality for budding directors and actors to express themselves on stage. He worked relentlessly as an actor and producer and theatre enthusiast. He made a mark in several films and finally got the National award for New Delhi Times.”
