Golden Days: When the iconic and humble actor Shashi Kapoor said NO to the National Award because he felt his work was not competent enough

Shashi Kapoor, an epitome of charm and talent in the Bollywood industry, left an indelible mark with his stellar performances. From his debut in 1961's ‘Dharmputra’ to iconic films like ‘Deewaar,’ ‘Kabhi Kabhie,’ and ‘Trishul,’ his journey was nothing short of legendary. His demise on December 4, 2017, left a void in the hearts of millions.

When we reminisce about his illustrious career, a lesser-known fact emerges about Shashi Kapoor's humility and integrity. Did you know that he once declined a National Award nomination, citing his perceived lack of competence in his performance?


The incident dates back to his debut as a lead actor in Yash Chopra's ‘Dharmputra.’ Despite earning critical acclaim for his portrayal, Shashi Kapoor felt his performance fell short of the excellence expected for such a prestigious honor. Reflecting on this decision in an interview with Indian Express, Kapoor expressed his belief that he hadn't delivered a performance deserving of the accolade.


However, Shashi Kapoor's humility didn't diminish his eventual success. He went on to receive multiple National Awards, including honors for his production ‘Junoon’ in 1979, Best Actor for ‘New Delhi Times’ in 1986, and a Special Jury Award for ‘In Custody’ in 1994. Further, his contributions to Indian cinema were recognized with the Padma Bhushan in 2011 and the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2015.