Shashi Kapoor dies at 79, an 'era has ended' say friends

Veteran actor-producer Shashi Kapoor, the romantic screen icon of the 70s and early 80s, died on Monday at a hospital here. He was 79.

"Shashi Kapoor expired at 5.20 p.m. on December 4 at Kokilaben Hospital, here," Dr Ram Narain, Executive Director of Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, told IANS in a message.

Shashi Kapoor's nephew and actor Randhir Kapoor too confirmed the news.

"He has passed away," Randhir told IANS.

Actress Simi Garewal tweeted: "Am deeply saddened by the passing away of my co-star ShashiKapoor. The last of that generation of Kapoors gone. A gentleman and friend gone. An era gone.. All that remains are his films...and precious memories.. ?? RIP Shashi-ji."

Taran Adarsh, film critic and business analyst, tweeted: "ShashiKapoor ji is no more... An era comes to an end... Thoughts and prayers with the family... RIP."

Third and the youngest son of late Prithviraj Kapoor and brother of late Raj Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor, Shashi underwent a cataract surgery in 2012.

Married to Anglo-Indian theatre actress Jennifer Kendal, Shashi had three children -- Kunal, Karan and Sanjana Kapoor.

Shashi made his debut with Yash Chopra's "Dharamputra" in 1961.