Shashi Kapoor's first film as a lead actor was "Dharmputra," released in 1961. In this film directed by Yash Chopra, Shashi Kapoor played a pivotal role and showcased his acting prowess. "Dharmputra" dealt with themes of religious and social conflicts during the partition of India, and Shashi Kapoor's performance was widely appreciated, marking the beginning of his successful career as a leading actor in the Indian film industry.

Source: IMDb