Veteran actor Shashi Kapoor passes away at 79

Legendary Bollywood actor Shashi Kapoor, the romantic screen icon of 70s and 80s, died on Monday evening. He was 79.

He took his last breath at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai. Actor Randhir Kapoor, son of veteran actor Raj Kapoor, confirmed the news.

“Yes he has passed away. He had kidney problem since several years. He was on dialysis for several years,” Randhir Kapoor said.

The funeral will be held tomorrow morning, he said.

“Shashi Kapoor expired at 5:20 pm on December 4 at Kokilaben Hospital in Mumbai,” Dr Ram Narain fron Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital 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 the late 40s.

His 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 leading man in the 1961 film Dharmputra and went on to appear in more than 116 films during 70s and until the mid 80s.

Some of his memorable films include Deewar, Kabhie Kabhie, Namak Halal, Kaala Pathar and others.

He was honoured with Padma Bhushan in 2011 and received the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke award in 2015.

Tributes to the suave, handsome actor are pouring in on Twitter. Prime Minister Modi, the President of India, Vice President of India, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee,eminent cricketers and politicians are among many who paid tribute to the veteran actor.