Why Shashi Kapoor Paid Just Rs 100 to Sign the 1986 Movie New Delhi Times

One of the mainstays of Indian film, Shashi Kapoor is often regarded as having had a bigger influence on the genre, having explored a wide range of subjects. Throughout his remarkable multi-decade career, Shashi Kapoor demonstrated his exceptional acting abilities in several films, such as Kalyug and The New Delhi Times. A fascinating tale about the 1986 movie New Delhi Times exists.

According to the New Delhi Times, Shashi Kapoor was chosen by director Ramesh Sharma to play the movie’s male protagonist. When Jeetendra came at the Golden Dragon restaurant in Mumbai, the director read the screenplay to the late actor. The Kalyug actor first introduced Jeetendra to Ramesh Sharma without displaying any signs of concern. But according to Aseem Chhabra’s book Shashi Kapoor: The Householder, the Star, the late actor instantly altered his position upon Jeetendra’s exit.

Shashi Kapoor allegedly asked the director how much money he had at the time, and upon learning that it was several thousand rupees, he signed the film for a pitiful Rs 100. Additionally, he advised Ramesh Sharma to refrain from discussing this matter in public so as to avoid damaging his reputation. But thereafter, Shashi Kapoor received Rs 1,00,000 for his work in the New Delhi Times.

Shashi Kapoor received accolades for his depiction of a truthful journalist in this movie, Vikas Pande. Along with the Kalyug actor, the picture had an amazing ensemble of stars, including Om Puri, AK Hangal, and Sharmila Tagore. PK Communications supported the movie. A critic claims that the New Delhi Times, via the eyes of one editor looking into a political killing, offers an uncompromising and cutting look at the shady relationship between politics, journalism, and commerce.

Earlier, director Ramesh Sharma spoke with PTI about another scene from the movie. The director said that he got a call from Shashi Kapoor just before the movie started shooting. He said that he could no longer play an actor in the movie since his wife, the actress Jennifer Kendal, was terminally ill with cancer. “I informed him that at this time, I couldn’t take on another actor. I had imagined him throughout the whole movie,” the seasoned filmmaker reminisced. Sadly, Shashi Kapoor had to play Jennifer Kendal in this movie in order to get over his loss.