Indian actor Shashi Kapoor dies

Veteran Bollywood actor Shashi Kapoor, one of the most charismatic personalities of Hindi cinema, died in a hospital in Mumbai today at the age of 79.

The actor was admitted to Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai suburb of Andheri on Sunday night reportedly for chest infection treatment.

"Shashi Kapoor expired at 5:20 pm on December 4 at Kokilaben Hospital in Mumbai," said Dr Ram Narain of Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital.

Shashi Kapoor is survived by daughter Sanjana Kapoor and his two sons Kunal and Karan. The actor's British wife Jennifer Kendal died of cancer in 1984. The husband and the wife had established the famous Prithvi Theatre in November, 1978.

Son of Prithviraj Kapoor and brother of Bollywood legends Raj Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor, Shashi made his debut in the 1961 film 'Dharmputra' and went on to act in 116 Hindi films.

Shashi was honoured with the government of India's prestigious Padma Bhushan award in 2011. In 2015, he was bestowed with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, making him the third member of the Kapoor clan to receive the Indian cinema's highest recognition, after dad Prithviraj Kapoor and brother Raj Kapoor.

Shashi's funeral will be held on Tuesday morning, his actor-nephew Randhir Kapoor said,"

Born on March 18, 1938, to the illustrious and formidable theatre and film actor Prithviraj Kapoor, Shashi Kapoor hit the spotlight at the age of four, acting in plays directed and produced by his father. He started acting in films as a child artiste in late 1940s.

Shashi's best-known performances as a child actor were in "Aag" (1948) and "Awaara" (1951), where he played the younger version of the character played by Raj Kapoor. Shashi Kapoor also worked as assistant director in the '50s.

He made his debut as a hero in the 1961 film "Dharmputra" and went on to appear in more than 116 films during the '70s and until the mid-'80s.

Known as one of the most popular romantic heroes of 1970s and 80s,  some of Shashi's memorable films include "Deewar", "Kabhie Kabhie", "Namak Halal", "Kaala Pathar", "Satyam Shivam Sundaram,"  "Junoon," "'Shaan" and Shyam Benegal-directed "Kaliyug."