In the last weekend blog, I had mentioned that after Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand, the next stars to rise in Bollywood were Rajendra Kumar, Shammi Kapoor & Sunil Dutt. Last week I wrote about Rajendra Kumar, this week I am writing about
SHAMMI KAPOOR
His real name was Shamsher Raj Kapoor. He was born on 21st Oct 1931 to Prithvi Raj Kapoor and Ramsarni Kapoor. His father was theatre and film actor from silent era. He was second of three sons, the other being the great film legend Raj Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor. Though born in Bombay, he spent a major portion of his childhood in Calcutta, as his father was involved with New Theatres Studios, acting in films. After coming back to Bombay, he completed his matriculation. He joined college but left after few months and joined his father’s Prithvi Theatres, as a junior artist, he worked there for 4 years. He started Prithvi theatres for salary of Rs 50 per month and his last salary when he left was Rs 300 per month.
He debuted into Hindi films with Jeewan Jyoti (1953) but the film did average business. His later films like Rail Ka Dibba, Naqab, Laila Majnu, Mem Sahib, Chor Bazar, Mirza Sahiban, Hum Sab Chor Hain and many more. He starred in about 20 films before he found success with Tumsa Nahin Dekha (1957). In this film he totally reinvented himself, and modelled himself on Elvis Presley, and became dancing romantic hero, and publicised himself as Rebel Star.
He established himself with Ujala and Dil Deke Dekho in 1959 and he never looked back, and his innings as dancing romantic hero lasted till early 1970s. In this period his famous films were Singapore and College Girl in 1960; Junglee and Boy Friend in 1961; Dil Tera Deewana, Professor, China Town in 1962; Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya and Bluff Master in 1963; Rajkumar & Kashmir Ki Kali in 1964; Janwar in 1965; Teesri Manzil and Budtameez in 1966; Latt Saheb and An Evening in Paris in 1967; Brahmachari in 1968; Tumse Acha Kaun Hai, Prince, Sachchai in 1969; Pagla Kahin Ka in 1970; Jawan Mohabbat, Jane Anjane, Andaz in 1971.
After this due to his weight issue, he found difficult to get leading man’s role, so he switched over to Character actor and for first time he tried his hand in direction, and for the first time in 1974 with film Manoranjan which he also directed, he appeared as character actor for the first time. He acted in many more films as character actor, and his last film was Rockstar in 2011, which was released after his death, where he acted in small role at the insistence of his grand nephew Ranbir Kapoor( son of his nephew Rishi Kapoor).
Shammi Kapoor met Geeta Bali (famous heroine of 1950s) in 1955 during shooting of Rangeen Raatein, and four months later they got married in temple. They had two children- son Adityaraj Kapoor and daughter Kanchan. Geeta Bali died from small pox in 1965. Shammi Kapoor later married Neela Devi (from the royal family of Bhavnagar) in January 1969.
He was founder & chairman of Internet Users Community of India (IUCI). He also played a major role in setting up organisations like the Ethical Hackers Association. He also maintained a website dedicated to the Kapoor family.
Shammi Kapoor had a great sense of music and most of the time he was present during the recording of his songs. His association with composers OP Nayyar & Shankar Jaikishan was great, and his maximum hits songs were from these two composers. He has also worked with other composers but his best was with these two only, and later with RD Burman in one film(Teesri Manzil) His equation with Mohd Rafi was beyond comparison, Rafi sang 90% of songs which were picturised on Shammi Kapoor. He used to discuss with Mohd Rafi regarding on the screen he will perform song in this way, so Rafi’s voice modulation should suit his action. Classical example is the song ‘ Tareef Karoon Kya Uski Jisne Tumhe Banaya’ from Kashmir Ki Kali. If you have seen this song, you will notice the each time word Tareef comes in the song, Shammi Kapoor’s action is different every time when word ‘Tareef comes, and Mohd Rafi has also sung differently each time to suit Shammi’s action on screen Such was the tuning among them.
Secondly Shammi Kapoor had a great sense of rhythm. He may be the only actor who never took the help of choreographer to help him in creating dance movements. He used to only ask the director and cameraman, please tell me camera movement and in the particular shot he has to move from where to where, and all the dance movement of his was taken care by himself. Sometimes you wonder when you watch his songs on the screen how could he do so much with such a perfection, and in the duet songs it used to become very difficult for heroine, who has to keep pace with him as she was coached by choreographer.
He had many hit songs from his films, I am listing below some of my favourite Shammi Kapoor songs :
1 Sar Par Topi Laal Haath Mein Resham Ka Rumal- From Tumsa Nahin Dekha. Composer OP Nayyar. Singer Mohd Rafi & Asha Bhosle. On screen with Ameeta
2 Ya Allah Ya Allah Dil Le Gayi- From Ujala, Shankar Jaikishan, Manna Dey and Lata Mangeshkar. On screen with Mala Sinha.
3 Yaar Chubula Hai Haseen Dilruba Hai-From Dil Deke Dekho, Usha Khanna, Mohd Rafi & Asha Bhosle. On screen with Asha Parekh.
4 Chahe Koi Mujhe Junglee Kahe- From Junglee. Shankar Jaikishan, Mohd Rafi. On screen with Saira Banu.
5 Mere Yaar Shabba Khair- From Junglee, Shankar Jaikishan, Mohd Rafi & Lata Mangeshkar. On screen with Saira Banu.
6 Dil Tera Deewana Hai Sanam- from Dil Tera Deewana, Shankar Jaikishan, Mohd Rafi,& Lata Mangeshkar. On screen with Mala Sinha.
7 Baar Baar Dekho, Hazaar Baar Dekho- From China Town, Ravi, Mohd Rafi. On screen with Shakila.
8 Khuli Palak Mein Jhootha Gussa, Band Palak Mein Pyar- From Professor, Shankar Jaikishan, Mohd Rafi .On screen with Kalpana.
9 Govinda Aala Re Aala, Jara Mataki Sambhal Brijbala- From Bluff Master, Kalyanji Anandji, Mohd Rafi. On screen with Jr artists.
10 Dilruba, Dil Pe Tu Yeh Sitam Kiyeja- From Rajkumar, Shankar Jaikishan. Mohd Rafi & Asha Bhosle. On screen with Sadhana.
11 Tareef Karoon Kya Uski, Jisne Tumhe Banaya- from Kashmir Ki Kali, OP Nayyar, Mohd Rafi. On screen with Sharmila Tagore.
12 Laal Chadi Maidan Khadi, Kya Khoob Ladi- from Janwar, Shankar Jaikishan, Mohd Rafi. On screen with Rajshri.
13 O Haseen Julfon Wali Jaane Jahan- From Teesri Manzil, RD Burman, Mohd Rafi & Asha Bhosle. On screen with Helen.
14 Aaja Aaja, Main Hoon Pyar Tera- From Teesri Manzil. RD Burman, Mohd Rafi & Asha Bhosle. On screen with Asha Parekh.
15 Aasmaan Se Aaya Farishta, Pyar Ka Sabak Sikhlane Ko- From An Evening in Paris, Shankar Jaikishan, Mohd Rafi. On screen with Sharmila Tagore.
16 Raat Ke Humsafar, Thak Ke Ghar Ko Chale- From An Evening in Paris, Shankar Jaikishan, Mohd Rafi & Asha Bhosle. On screen with Sharmila Tagore.
17 Dil Ke Jharokhe Mein Tujhki Bitha Ke- From Brahmchari, Shankar Jaikishan, Mohd Rafi. On sctreen with Rajshri.
18 Badan Pe Sitare Lapete Hue- from Prince, Shankar Jaikishan, Mohd Rafi.On screen with Vyjayantimala.
19 Tum Mujhe Yun Bhula Na Paoge- from Pagla Kahin Ka. Shankar Jaikishan, Mohd Rafi. On screen with Asha Parekh.
20 Dil Use Do, Jo Jaan Dede, Jaan Use Do Jo Dil Dede- From Andaz, Shankar Jaikishan, Mohd Rafi & Asha Bhosle. On screen with Hema Malini.
I can add so many more, but I tried to restrict one song per film, but it was not possible. There are so many of his films where all the songs were super hits.
Shammi Kapoor died on 14th August 2011 due to chronic Kidney failure. At the time of his death he was two months short of his 80th birthday.
Although he was not a great actor, but still what legacy he has left with song numbers is remarkable.
Awaiting your views/feed backs/comments.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
330th October 2020.
R. N. Mungale.
Very good information about Shammi Kapur.