This Kapoor star survived his mother's rejection, film failures, and heartbreaking loss

Shashi Kapoor, born on March 18, 1938, into the illustrious Kapoor family, was a celebrated figure in Indian cinema. As the youngest son of the legendary Prithviraj Kapoor and younger brother to renowned actors Raj and Shammi Kapoor, Shashi faced a tumultuous journey before becoming a superstar himself.

He met resistance from his mother upon his arrival into the world who initially did not want to have him. In an interview with Filmibeat, Shashi revealed that his mother attempted various means to terminate her pregnancy, including falling off bicycles and tumbling down stairs. Despite her efforts, he was born and would go on to become a celebrated actor.

Interestingly, Shashi's mother initially did not want to have him. During her pregnancy, she experienced distress as she already had two children and attempted various means to terminate the pregnancy. Despite her efforts, Shashi was born and would later rise to prominence in the film industry.

He began his career as a child actor in Raj Kapoor's film 'Aag' and made his adult debut in Yash Chopra's 'Dharmputra'. Over the years, Shashi starred in numerous successful films, including 'Deewaar', 'Kabhi Kabhie', and 'Kanyadaan'. However, the road to success was not always smooth. After experiencing some film failures, Shashi faced financial difficulties that forced him to sell his beloved sports car. During this challenging period, he and his wife Jennifer Kendal struggled to make ends meet, with Jennifer even selling her valuables to support their family.

The couple's financial woes were compounded by the pressures of the film industry. Despite these hardships, Shashi's career took a turn for the better when he starred in 'Jab Jab Phool Khile', which became a significant hit and helped stabilize their situation.

Tragedy struck again in 1982 when Jennifer was diagnosed with colon cancer. Her battle with the illness lasted two years before she passed away in 1984, leaving Shashi heartbroken. This loss plunged him into a deep depression that affected both his personal life and career.