Jennifer Kendal was born in Southport, England, but spent much of her youth in India. Her parents (she was the daughter of Geoffrey Kendal and elder sister of Felicity Kendal), ran a travelling theatre company, "Shakespeareana", which traveled around India as described in the book and film, Shakespeare Wallah (starring Kendal herself, her husband Shashi Kapoor, her father, and her sister Felicity).

Shashi Kapoor and Jennifer met for the first time in Calcutta, in 1956, where he was part of Prithvi Theatre troupe, while she was playing Miranda in the play The Tempest', by "Shakespeareana" travelling troupe. Soon, Shashi Kapoor started touring with the Shakespeareana Company, and in July 1958 they married. Kendal and her husband were also instrumental in the rejuvenation of Prithvi Theatre in Mumbai, with the opening of their theatre in Juhu, Mumbai in 1978, which is today one of important theatre destinations in the city, a venture now managed by her daughter Sanjana. Kendal and Kapoor also starred in a number of films together, particularly those produced by Merchant Ivory Productions.

They had three children: a daughter Sanjana Kapoor, who now runs Prithvi Theatre, and two sons, Kunal Kapoor and Karan Kapoor, of whom Kunal Kapoor is an actor and Karan is a photographer.

Filmography

   * Ghare-Baire (1984) - Miss Gilby (The Home and the World)

   * The Far Pavilions (1984) - Mrs. Viccary

   * Heat and Dust (1983)- Mrs. Saunders

   * 36 Chowringhee Lane (1981) Miss Violet Stoneham

   * Junoon - Ruth's Mother

   * Bombay Talkie (1970)- Lucia Lane

   * Shakespeare Wallah (1965) - Mrs. Bowen [5]

Awards

   * 1983: BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role - 36 Chowringhee Lane - Nominated [6]

   * 1982: Evening Standard British Film Awards - Best Actress: 36 Chowringhee Lane - Won

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Kendal