Shashi Kapoor was one of the stalwarts of Indian cinema and his legacy is often perceived to be a greater enabler of cinema, encompassing many varied themes. In his illustrious career spanning many decades, Shashi Kapoor showcased his impeccable acting skills in many films including Kalyug, New Delhi Times, etc. There is an interesting anecdote related to the 1986 film New Delhi Times.
As per the reports, New Delhi Times director Ramesh Sharma had decided to cast Shashi Kapoor as the male lead in his film. The director narrated the script to the late actor at Mumbai’s Golden Dragon restaurant when Jeetendra arrived. Initially, the Kalyug actor showed no discomfort and introduced Jeetendra to Ramesh Sharma. However, as per the book Shashi Kapoor: The Householder, the Star by Aseem Chhabra, the late actor immediately changed his stance after Jeetendra’s departure.
Shashi Kapoor reportedly asked the director about the money he was having at that moment and after knowing it, i.e.- some thousand rupees signed the film for a meagre Rs 100. He also asked Ramesh Sharma to not talk about this issue publically otherwise it could taint his reputation. Shashi Kapoor was, however, later paid Rs 1,00,000 for his role in the New Delhi Times.
Shashi Kapoor won laurels for the portrayal of an honest journalist Vikas Pande in this film. Besides the Kalyug actor, the film also boasted a stellar star cast Sharmila Tagore, Om Puri, AK Hangal and others. PK Communications backed this film. As per a critic, the New Delhi Times is an unflinching and incisive look at the dirty nexus between politics, media, and business, through one editor’s investigation into a political assassination.
In an earlier interview with PTI, filmmaker Ramesh Sharma recounted another incident from the film. The director said when the film was about to go on the floor, he received a call from Shashi Kapoor. He said that his wife and actress Jennifer Kendal was dying of cancer and it was no longer possible for him to act in the film. “I told him it was difficult for me to take another actor at this point. I had visualised the whole film with him in my mind,” the veteran director recalled. Unfortunately, Jennifer Kendal died, and Shashi Kapoor was forced to act in this film to come out of the grief.
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