Prithviraj Kapoor led a very interesting life that spanned not just across movies but also theatre, though it began with a lot of struggle.
Now a book released by Roli Books called "The Prithviwallahs" is the story of a theatre that has become a living legend and of the men and women who made it happen.
The book was launched Thursday at the newly opened ITC Grand Central Sheraton Hotel.
Sadly, there was little participation from the Kapoor family as only Randhir Kapoor attended the function. Kareena and Karisma Kapoor too were not there and Sanjana Kapoor - the force behind Prithvi Theatre and daughter of Shashi Kapoor - was busy with a theatre group from Europe in Delhi.
But those who graced the book launch included Shyam Benegal, Talat Aziz, Ila Arun, the erstwhile royal of Udaipur Arvind Singh Mewar and Lillete Dubey.
The book has been written by Shashi Kapoor and well known film critic Deepa Gahlot. It carries an exhaustive collection of photographs of Prithviraj and Shashi Kapoor's theatre career.
"It is a very small event and a very big occasion for me. I'm a matric (Class 10) failure and this book is a big surprise for me too," said Shashi Kapoor.
"Deepa Gahlot got the most accurate information in the book that I narrated to her and many times she corrected me when I was going wrong. In the film industry one thing is common - that many a time what is written is not the truth. But in this book you will find the most accurate information," added Kapoor.
Deepa Gahlot said it was a great experience to interact with Shashi Kapoor who has a great memory and at the same time is a very good storyteller.
"After writing this book, I can proudly say that I too am a Prithviwallah," she said.
Delhi-based ad man Suhel Seth read out a few passages from the book. "This book captures the evolution of the Kapoor family but at the same time the intelligent media of theatre," said Seth.
On Jan 15, 1944, Prithviraj Kapoor, already a film star, realised a long-cherished dream with the birth of Prithvi Theatres.
Over the next 16 years, his repertory toured the country, giving one remarkable performance after another -
"Shakuntala" (1944), "Pathan" (1947) and "Paisa" (1953) among them - a total of 2,662 performances over
5,982 days in 112 places! This was theatre history in the making, as stars were born and legends created.
Uzra Mumtaz, her sister Zohra Sehgal, Prithviraj's cousins Premnath Rajindernath, Sajjan and Mohan Saigal, L.V. Prasad and the young Kapoors - Raj, Shammi and Shashi - made sterling appearances on the Prithvi stage.
Shashi Kapoor gave his first performance on stage in 1945, in Prithvi Theatres' first production, "Shakuntala". He was then aged seven, and had a bit part in a crowd scene.
From then on, acting became a passion to him, and he toured the country through his schooldays and beyond with Prithvi Theatres and later with Shakespeareana, the company run by Geoffrey and Laura Kendal whose daughter Jennifer he married in 1958.
Shashi Kapoor has dedicated the book to his wife Jennifer.
