Mumbai, Dec 4 (PTI) Shashi Kapoor, the embodiment ofromance and charm who wooed the top leading ladies of the '70sand '80s on the silver screen and captivated millions of fans,died today. He was 79.
The actor-producer took his last breath at the KokilabenDhirubhai Ambani Hospital here.
"Yes, he has passed away. He had a kidney problem and wason dialysis for several years," his nephew Randhir Kapoor, theson of the late Raj Kapoor, told PTI.
President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister NarendraModi condoled the death of the popular actor.
"Sorry to hear of the demise of Shashi Kapoor, well-knownactor, with a repertoire of Indian and international films.
His support for meaningful cinema as a producer and pivotalrole in the theatre movement in India too are cherished.
Condolences to his family," said Kovind in a message onTwitter.
Prime Minister Modi said he was saddened by the news andrecalled Kapoor's contribution to cinema and theatre.
"Shashi Kapoor's versatility could be seen in his moviesas well as in theatre, which he promoted with great passion.
His brilliant acting will be remembered for generations tocome. Saddened by his demise. Condolences to his family andadmirers," Modi tweeted.
Randhir Kapoor said the funeral would be held in themorning tomorrow.
"Shashi Kapoor expired at 5:20 pm on December 4 atKokilaben Hospital in Mumbai," Dr Ram Narain from the hospitaltold PTI.
Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting SmritiIrani said Kapoor's death was "the end of an era".
"Saddened by the demise of legendary actor Shashi Kapoorji. His contribution to Indian cinema is monumental. ShashijiÂ’s passing away marks the end of an era. My deepestcondolences to his loved ones, colleagues and fans. May hissoul rest in peace. Om Shanti!" Irani tweeted.
Director Shyam Bengal described him as "god's good man"and a beautiful human-being.
"He was god's good man and a beautiful human-being beyondanything else," Benegal, who worked with the late actor in"Kalyug" and "Junoon", told PTI.
Born on March 18, 1938, to the illustrious and formidabletheatre and film actor Prithviraj Kapoor, Shashi Kapoor hitthe spotlight at the age of four, acting in plays directed andproduced by his father. He started acting in films as a childartiste in the late '40s.
His best known performances as a child actor were in"Aag" (1948) and "Awaara" (1951), where he played the youngerversion of the character played by Raj Kapoor. Shashi Kapooralso 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 filmsduring the '70s and until the mid '80s.
Among his memorable films were "Deewar", "Kabhie Kabhie","Namak Halal" and "Kaala Pathar".
He was honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2011 andreceived cinema's prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke award in 2015.
PTI KKP SHD BDSSHD.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.