On March 18, 2026, the film world celebrated the 88th birth anniversary of the legendary Shashi Kapoor.
Known for his infectious charm, crooked-tooth smile, and “taxi” speed, often shooting multiple films in a single day, Kapoor was a rare bridge between high-octane Bollywood masala and nuanced international art-house cinema. Here is a look back at the most iconic films from his six-decade-long career:
Perhaps the most significant film in Shashi Kapoor’s career, this Yash Chopra classic
pitted him against Amitabh Bachchan in a clash of ideologies. Kapoor played Ravi, the
principled police officer who chooses duty over his criminal brother. He delivered the
most famous rebuttal in Indian cinema history: “Mere paas maa hai”, a line that remains
etched in Bollywood lore. He won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for this
performance. Source: YouTube/@shemaroomovies via ANI
Perhaps the most significant film in Shashi Kapoor’s career, this Yash Chopra classic
pitted him against Amitabh Bachchan in a clash of ideologies. Kapoor played Ravi, the
principled police officer who chooses duty over his criminal brother. He delivered the
most famous rebuttal in Indian cinema history: “Mere paas maa hai”, a line that remains
etched in Bollywood lore. He won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for this
performance.
Source: YouTube/@shemaroomovies
Produced under his own banner, Film Valas, this historical drama directed by Shyam
Benegal showcases Kapoor’s commitment to “meaningful” cinema. Based on Ruskin
Bond’s ‘A Flight of Pigeons’, Kapoor played Javed Khan, a reckless feudal lord during the
Indian Rebellion of 1857.
The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi.
Source: YouTube/@FilmValas
In this multi-starrer romantic saga, Kapoor played a character that was remarkably
progressive for the era. He played Vijay, the jovial and secure husband who is fully
accepting of his wife’s (Raakhee) past love. His effortless chemistry and mature
performance provided a perfect balance to the film’s intense emotional beats.
Source: YouTube/@yrf
Directed by his brother Raj Kapoor, this film was known for its bold storytelling and lush
musical score. Kapoor played Rajeev, an engineer who struggles to reconcile his love for
a woman’s soul with his obsession with physical beauty. The film broke many social
taboos of the time regarding sensuality on screen.
Source: YouTube/@ultra