Here's How Shashi Kapoor Had A Name Change From Balbir Raj Kapoor!

The passing away of one of the most charming and talented actors of Bollywood - Shashi Kapoor leaves Bollywood with a void which none can fill. The charismatic actor had a great run during the 70's and 80's and made a hit team with Amitabh Bachchan in films such as Deewar, Kabhi Kabhie, Namak Halaal, Do Aur Do Paanch, Trishul, Suhaag etc. Shashi was born into the illustrious Kapoor family which is considered as one of the first families of Bollywood. But did you know, there is some interesting trivia behind the actor's name and how he came to be known as Shashi Kapoor. Read on.

Born to Prithviraj Kapoor and Ramsarni Kapoor on March 18, 1938 in Calcutta. He was given the name Balbir Raj - in keeping with the Kapoor family tradition of adopting the word 'Raj' (or 'king') in its many variations. But his mother Ramsarni did not like the name and began calling him Shashi - or moonbeam - since he was obsessed with the moon and spent long hours watching it. Thus Balbir Raj Kapoor became Shashi Kapoor.

This nugget of information is courtesy the book "Shashi Kapoor: The Householder, The Star", written by Aseem Chhabra and published by Rupa Publications.

Quite an interesting piece of trivia about the legend!