Born on March 18, 1938, Shashi Kapoor was more than just a heartthrob, he was an actor, producer, and a visionary who redefined Indian cinema. While his iconic dialogue, "Mere paas maa hai," became immortal, there's much more to his legacy than just mainstream success.

Few know that Shashi started his career as a child actor in his brother Raj Kapoor’s films, playing the younger versions of lead characters. Later, he became Bollywood's first true international star, working in multiple British and American films, including The Householder and Heat and Dust.

A lesser-known fact? Shashi was the only Kapoor to receive the Padma Bhushan and Dadasaheb Phalke Award in his lifetime. Despite being a superstar, he was incredibly humble, he once sold his sports car to pay his theater crew's salaries when Prithvi Theatre was struggling financially. He also turned down several big-budget Bollywood films to support parallel cinema, backing path-breaking movies like Junoon and Kalyug.

His life was a blend of charm and substance, romance and realism. Even today, his twinkling eyes and unforgettable performances remind us that Shashi Kapoor wasn't just an actor—he was a storyteller who lived his art.