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For all the avid fans and followers of theatre, the news related to Sanjana Kapoor to quit the Prithvi Theatre came as a shock. The graceful daughter of Shashi Kapoor was taking care of the affairs of the Mecca of experimental theatre in Mumbai for the last many years.



Post her exit from her life and soul, her brother, Kunal, would take care of the affairs of Prithvi. Sanjana now wants to focus on her new organisation, ‘Junoon’. While it can not be said categorically, it looks that due to some rift within her family,Sanjana made her mind to move on. The Prithvi Theatre Company was set up by Kapoor and her brother Kunal in 1993. It was named after their grandfather, actor-director Prithviraj Kapoor.




Prithvi was came into existence under the watchful eyes of her mother,Jeniffer. Shashi Kapoor also worked in third grade films in order to earn enough money to realise the dreams of her wife, who was also a theatre personality. It is said that even though her parents too were involved in theatre, she decided to establish a theatre in the memory of her father-in-law,Prithivi Raj Kapoor. Notwithstanding her English background, she was vegetarian and did not touch liqour.





Scared of wife’s dislike for cigrette, Shashi used to smoke outside the four walls of his home. She used to present gifts to her in-laws on the birthday of her husband. After her demise in England from deadly cancer, she was cremated according to her wishes.




While Sanjana made a debut in film ‘Hero Heeralal’ directed by Ketan Mehta, but she was more inclined towards theatre. After all, theatre was in her blood. Her Dada,Dadi,Nana and Nani were all ace theatre actors. After taking over the reigns of Prithvi, she was working overtime in order to popularize theatre in India. And now, Kunal Kapoor to handle Prithvi. It is difficult to speculate as why ailing Shashi did not support his daughter in the power struggle within the family. One has to believe that before taking her call to quit the Prithvi which was part of her life, the kids of Shashi would have fought.





Sadly, Sanjana is leaving Prithvi when her father is not at all well. More than any ailment, once lifeline of Kapoor clan,Shashi, is leading a life of a very depressed person. Sense of negativism has badly gripped him. Yash Chopra had offered him a wonderful role in ‘Veer Zara’, which he declined. For close to one decade,Shashi has snapped his ties with Bollywood. He does not attend any function at all. He is spending his life quietly and lonely. This is his own decision.





Avid film buffs would always remember Shashi’s films like Jab Jab Phool Khile, Kanyadaan, Pyar Ka Mausam , Ek Shriman Ek Shrimati , Haseena Maan Jayegi, Sharmeelee, Aa Gale Lag Jaa, Fakira, Phaansi, Chor Machaye Shor, Mukti, Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Heeralal Pannalal , Junoon, Swayamvar and many such films, including ones he starred in with Pran like Chori Mera Kaam, Phaansi, Shankar Dada, Chakkar Pe Chakkar and with Amitabh Bachchan, such as Deewar, Namak Halaal. He has also played leading roles in a number of English-speaking Indian films, including the very first Merchant Ivory production The Householder followed by such as Shakespeare-Wallah, Bombay Talkie, Heat and Dust, etc.





Amitabh Bachchan was shocked to see Shashi Kapoor, his co-star of Trishul, Deewar and so many other hits, confined to a wheelchair. Amitabh was supposed to present the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award to the 71-year-old actor, but could not attend. However, Amitabh saw pictures of the event later and was shocked -- just like so many of his other fans.
Seeing him confined to a wheel chair, was something I could never associate with Shashi ji," the 67-year-old said.




"Shashi Kapoor, that handsome gentle man. A smile on his face forever. A considerate calling on each meeting, now in this condition? Never," he added.




While his filmi family always like to give him work, it is he who is distancing from one and all. He has also not turned seer or Sadhu. While Shashi’s elder brother, Shammi remained extremely jovial and active till his last breath and he also worked in Ranbir Kapoor’s Rockstar. However, the younger sibling opted the of life of recluse without any apparent reason. It seems that the life of father has also impacted daughter.

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