Man Who Leapt Over Bollywood

Aseem Chhabra weaves his book around the many facets of his subject, Shashi Kapoor, whom most readers would have known only as a star. He was often overshadowed by his brothers, one of whom was a flamboyant showman, who produced, directed and acted in films and was a huge industry figure. Competing with Raj Kapoor for fans was brother Shammi, whose image as the irrepressible lover-boy was imitated but unmatched by peers and future generations.

By contrast, Shashi Kap­oor, despite being the perfect poster boy, with swe­­e­­ping eyelashes and a vulnerable smile, remained the quieter brother who did no wrong. As Shabana Azmi says: “I sincerely believe his good looks went against him. As the first impression was of a strikingly attractive man, people would forget what a fine actor he was!”