Shammi Kapoor started his career in 1953, and till 1956 he acted in 16 films, and they are Jeevan Jyoti, Rail Ka Dibba, Thokar, Laila Majnu, Khoj, Gul Sanobar, Shama Parwana, Mehbooba, Ehsaan, Chor Bazaar, Tangewali, Sipah Salaar, Rangein Raatein, and Mem Sahib.. So friends, even in those days nepotism exists, as he was Prithviraj Kapoor’s son and Raj Kapoor’s brother, he got all these films. And Then came ‘Tumsa Nahin Dekha in 1957, when he changed his style and came out as a flamboyant hero who could dance and sing. Till date, the Indian screen had not seen such a star. Shammi realized it is music which has saved him, and after that he saw to it the music of his films should always be hit. Tumsa Nahin had a music by OP Nayyar, with him he had fruitful association and they worked in few films afterwards. But it was the music duo of Shankar Jaikishan (SJ) who created magic for him in his career, and after 1959 he did maximum films with them. SJ were one of the most important factor in Shammi Kapoor’s journey in Bollywood.
Their association started with Ujala in 1959, and this film had so many hit songs like- Jhoomta Mausam Mast Mahina, Duniyawalon Se Door, Tera Jalwa Jisne dekha, Mora Nadaan Balma, Sooraj Jara Aa Paas Aa, and more. As usual, songs were penned by Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri, without whom SJ team never worked. Like SJ were instrumental in boosting Raj Kapoor’s career with Barsaat, and the same thing they did with his younger brother Shammi Kapoor.
In 1960-61, there were three films by Shammi Kapoor with music by SJ, and they were Singapore, College Girl, and Boy Friend. Then came Junglee with music by SJ and new girl Saira Banu as his heroine, which rocketed Shammi’s popularity and he became a rebel star. The music of this film was a super duper hit and songs like “ Yahoo- Chahe Koi Mujhe Junglee Kahe, Aiyya Aiyya Karoon Main Kya Suku Suku, Ehsaan Tera Hoga Mujh Par, Din Saara Gujar Tore Angana and more. Shammi Kapoor was now known as Indian Elvis Presley. SJ and Shammi Kapoor pairing became such a super hit.
In 1962, Shammi Kapoor’s two films had the music of SJ and both were hit. Professor and Dil Tera Deewana. Professor had Kalpana as his heroine, and its song became hit- Ae Gulbadan, khuli Palak Mein Jhootha Gussa, Main Chali Main Chali, Awaaz Dekar Humen Tum Bulao. In Dil Tera Deewana he starred with Mala Sinha and Mehmood, and it had songs- Dil Tera Deewana Hai Sanam, Nazar Bacha Kar Chale Gaye, Dhadkane Lagta Hai Mera Dil, Mujhe Kitna Pyar Hai Tum Se.
In 1964, his film Raj Kumar released, and it had hit songs like- Yahan Ke Hum Hain Raj Kumar, Tumne Pukara Aur Hum Chale Aaye, Dilruba Dil Pe Tu Yeh Sitam Kiye Ja, Aaja Aai bahar, Dil hai Bekarar. In this film, he acted with Sadhana.
In the years to follow Shammi Kapoor’s films with SJ were Jaanwar, Budtameez, An Evening In Paris, Tumse Achcha Kaun Hai, Sachchai, Preetam, Pagla Kahin Ka, Jawan Mohabbat, Andaaz and Jaane Anjaane. All these films had great music.
Some of the hit songs from the above films
1 Jaanwar with Rajshree- Lal Chadi Maidaan Khadi, Tum Se Achcha Kaun Hai, Dil Aur Jigar Aur Jaan Lo, Meri Mohabbat Jawan Rahe Gi, Dekho Ab To Kis Ko Nahin Hai Khabar.
2 Budtameez with Sadhana- Budtameez Kaho Ya Kaho Jaanwar, Haseen Ho Tum Khuda Nahin Ho.
3 An Evening In Paris with Sharmila Tagore- Aji Aisa Mauka Phir Kahan Milega, Raat Ke Humsafar, Thak Ke Ghar, Aasmaan Se Aaya Farishta Pyar Ka Sabak, Akele Akele Kahan Jaa rahe Ho, Deewane Ka Naam To Poocho.
4 Brahamchari with Rajshree- Main Gaon Tum So Jao, Dil Ke Jharokhe Mein Tujhko Bitha Ke, Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche Har Jaban Par, Chakke Mein Chaaka, Chaake Mein Gaadi.
5 Prince with Vyjayantimala- Badan Pe Sitare Lapate Hue, Mukabala Humse Na Karo, Nazar Mein Bijli Ada Mein Shole.
6 Tumse Achcha Kaun Hai with Babita- Janam Janam Ka Saath Hai Nibhane Ko, Rangat Teri Soorat Si Kisi Mein Nahin, Kis Kis Ko Pyar Karoon.
7 Sachchai with Sadhana- Sau Baras Ki Zindigi Se Achchen Hain, Re Dost Maine Duniya Dekhi Hai.
8 Pagla Kahin Ka with Asha Parekh- Tum Mujhe Yoon Bhula Na Paoge, Aashiq Hoon Main Mehjabeen Ka.
9 Jawan Mohabbat with Asha Parekh- Jab Mohabbat Jawan Hoti Hai, Na Rootho Na rootho Na Meri Jaan.
10 Jaane Anjane with Leena Chandavarkar- Teri Neeli Neeli Ankhon Ke Dil Par teer Chal Gaye, Cham Cham Baaje Re Payaliya.
In the end, Shammi Kapoor started his career in a very bad way, and for the next many years, it was Shankar Jaikishan who were instrumental in charting the destiny of this dancing and singing star. Secondly, Mohd Rafi who became the voice of Shammi Kapoor also had a big contribution in making the SJ’s creation a super hit. Even Shammi Kapoor had a great music sense, and he always ensured that he was present at the song’s recording, who so ever may be the music director.
Waiting for your views on this blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
4th November 2022.