Shabana Azmi On Her ‘Teenage Crush’ Shashi Kapoor On His 87th Birth Anniversary.

Shashi Kapoor’s birth anniversary today…how do your remember him?

He was my teenage crush . I used to skip food  that was allowed to me for pocket money and buy a photo of him . Then when he came with family to visit Papaji(Prithviraj Kapoor)  who was our neighbour , I would shyly give him the photo for his autograph and then run away .

Eventually he  was your co-star in quite  a  few films including the  outstanding Junoon?

I couldn’t believe I was working opposite him in Heera Aur Patthar ! Then several films followed and he used to tease me constantly .He was definitely the most good looking hero of all times .

Was working with him a learning experience?

He taught me several things about lighting , how to keep my head lowered to avoid the top light etc . He would make me stare into the reflector so I could get used to it . Those days the reflectors were very harsh and my eyes would tear up .

His  passion for theatre was insane?

He used the money he earned to build Prithvi Theatre which is an institution . And to make films like 36 Chowringhee Lane…he launched Aparna Sen as a director.

His later years were painful for him and his fans?

Sadly he let himself go after his wife  Jennifer passed away and he fell ill. He was known as the pretty boy but he was  also a good actor and the first to work in Hollywood with Pretty Polly. His contribution  to Indian cinema is yet to be fully appreciated.He will always be remembered