In his filmy career Shammi Kapoor had a very fruitful and friendly relationship with Mohd Rafi. So many times Shammi Kapoor openly admitted that Mohd Rafi has contributed maximum to his career, without him I would not have become dancing/singing star. During his career as a leading man almost 95% of his songs were sung by Mohd Rafi. Shammi Kapoor used to be present at song recording, and he used to explain about his character in the film and wanted Mohd Rafi to sing accordingly, and Mohd Rafi always saw that Shammi Kapoor is more than satisfied. Once Shammi Kapoor was not present at the recording, but knowing this song is going to be picturised on Shammi Kapoor, Mohd Rafi recorded the song, and after listening the song Shammi Kapoor was astonished, and asked Mohd Rafi how you could sing the song in this way, and Mohd Rafi replied knowing you I could feel you will have this type of mannerism and action during picturisation. It so happened that when Mohd Rafi expired in July 1980, Shammi Kapoor was not in Bombay, and where he was, one of his fan came to him and said Shammiji you have lost your voice, Shammi Kapoor replied I am speaking to you in my voice, where I have lost it. Then the fan said to him, Shammiji Mohd Rafi is no more. Shammi Kapoor could not say anything further and started crying very loudly as if he has lost his brother. Such was their association. Once during an interview some one asked Shammiji can you name your 10 favourite songs which were picturised on you during your career, and he listed the 10 songs and as expected all the 10 songs were sung by Mohd Rafi.
Here is that list of Shammi Kapoor’s best song as selected by him with YouTube link:
10 Ehsaan Tera Hoga Mujhpar, Dil Chahata Hai Who Kehne Do- Junglee (F), Hasrat Jaipuri (L), Shankar Jaikishan.
The song is sung by Mohd Rafi is very subtle way, as on the screen Shammi Kapoor the hero is trying his best to cajole his sweetheart who is not taking with him.
9 Dil Tera Deewana Hai Sanam, Jaante Ho Tum Kuch Na Kahenge Hum- Dil Tera Deewana (F), with Lata Mangeshkar (S), Shailendra (L), Shankar Jaikishan.
On screen this song is picturised on a situation where both hero and heroine came to know about their love for each other. The song is sung by Mohd Rafi in a very jovial mood, and any one can feel while listening that he is very happy.
8 Dil Deke Dekho, Dil Deke Dekho, Dil Lene Walon Dil Dena Seekhoji- Del Deke Dekho (F). Majrooh Sltanpuri (L), Usha Khanna (MD).
On screen this is a club song, where Shammi Kapoor is playing drums, as he just realised that he is falling in love and so sing this song. So see the feeling the way Rafiji has sung the song expressing feeling of love.
7 O Haseena Zulfon Wali Jaane Jahan- Teesri Manjil (F), with Asha Bhosle (S), majrooh Sultanpuri (L), RD Burman (MD)
On screen this a stage song in hotel, where Shammi Kapoor is performing and dancing with Helen. The way both Mohd Rafi and Asha Bhosle has sung this song with gay abundance, is worth listening and seeing on screen. This is the movie which brought RD Burman into lime light, and once he said if Shammi Kapoor had not selected me after listening to my tunes and Mohd Rafi had not sung songs of Teesri Manzil, I donot know where I would have been.
6 Badan Pe Sitare Lapete Hue, O Jane Jahan Kidhar Ja Rahi Ho- Prince (F), Hasrat Jaipuri (L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD).
On screen this is a party song. Hero has fallen in love with heroine Vyjayantimala but she has not responded till. So when in the party he sees heroine in dress which is having stars on it, the hero sings this song while going after her. The way Rafiji has matched the mannerism displayed by Shammi Kapoor is seen to be believed.
5 Baar Baar Dekho, Haazar Baar Dekho- China Town (F), Majrooh Sultanpuri (L), Ravi (MD).
This is a club song, where hero is playing violin and singing, while his beloved is sitting in the audience. The way Shammi Kapoor has danced, and his every dance movement is matched by Rafiji’s singing style
4 Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche Har Zuban Par- Brahamchari (F), with Suman Kalyanpur (S), Hasrat Jaipuri (L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD).
On screen this is a party song, where Pran is supposedly in love with Mumtaz, and he request Shammi Kapoor who is singer to say something on his behalf to Mumtaz. Here also Shammi Kapoor’s dance movements are matching with Rafiji’s singing style or vice versa.
3 Aaja Aaja Main Hoon Pyar Tera, Allah Allah Inkaar Tera- Teesri Manzil(F), with Asha Bhosle (S), Majrooh Sultanpuri (L), RD Burman (MD).
This is also a party dance song where hero is trying to woo heroine. The special thing in this song in the way Mohd Rafi has sung “Ah Aaja” which comes at the end of mukhda. Every time Ah Aaja comes seven times, and whenever Ah Aaja comes 7 times Shammi Kapoor has performed differently and matching him Mohd Rafi also sang differently every time or it was vice versa.
2 Yeh Chand Sa Roshan Chehra, Zulfon Ka Rang Sunhera- Kashmir Ki Kali (F), SH Bihari (L), OP Nayyar (MD).
On screen, Shammi Kapoor falls in love with Sharmila Tagore, but she is not responding as she is poor and he is rich. So in the lake during boat ride where she is flower selling girl, he starts praising her beauty. Last line of Mukhda is “ Tareef Karon Kya Uski, Jisne Tumhe Banaya”. Here also every time word Tareef comes Mohd Rafi has sung in different style and matching his singing Shammi Kapoor performed with different action whenever Tareef comes.
1 Chahe Koi Janglee Kahe , Kehne Do Ji Kehta Rahe- Junglee (F), Shailendra (L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD).
On screen Hero, who comes from family where laughing is considered as sin, so he is always serious. Once for 2 nights he struck in snow storm in the hills, and they take shelter in lonely cottage. Slowly he starts thinking differently and starts liking heroine. When on the third morning storm is cleared., he shouts ‘Yahoo’ and sings this song in the snow. Mohd Rafi has sung this full song in high pitch and with the same energy Shammi Kapoor performed in this song.
These were the top 10 songs(as ranked by Shammi Kapoor) of Mohd Rafi/Shammi Kapoor combination. In this I would like to add one song, which according to m can also be considered among best songs of their combination, and the song is
Govina Aala Re Aala, Zara Matki Sambhal Brijbala- Bluffmaster (F), Rakinder Kishan (L), Kalyanji Anandji (MD).
This is the best song ever came on hindi screen on the festival of Gokul Ashtami. Mohd Rahi has sung this song with great masti of this festival, and the way Shammi Kapoor danced in Baombay tapori style is top class.
Waiting for your views, comments.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
15th January 2021
R. N. Mungale.
Very good information..