Whether it was his natural charm or personality magnetism, Shammi Kapoor was never the ‘Hero material’ of Bollywood. You can’t help thinking about the rebel star while listening to “Kashmir ki kali” or “Oh Haseena Zulfon Wali”. He was an Indian Film Actor or director who worked and gained prominence in the Hindi Film Industry. The actor was born on 21 October 1931. His energetic personality, huge fan following, striking energy, and great songs were the identity of Shammi Kapoor.
He was a popular rebel star who modified the traditional Hero Image. When he entered the industry, the group of Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, and Raj Kapoor were the leading icons in the industry with Individual personalities and distinct identities. Dev Anand was an Urban and modern man with addictive charm while Raj Kapoor was the masses’ favourite with Dilip being the popular tragedy king. The “Elvis Presley of India” was a member of the prominent Kapoor clan in Bollywood.
Early life:
At his birth, he was named “Shamsher Raj Kapoor” in Bombay. He was the son of actor Prithviraj Kapoor and Ramsharni Kapoor. He was second in the 3 siblings with the other two being Raj Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor who themselves were successful Bollywood actors. He was born in Mumbai and spent most of his childhood in Kolkata. He then shifted back to Mumbai and after a short stint in college joined the theatre company of his father. He began his career in cinema as a junior artist with a salary of Rs. 50 p.m in 1948.
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Career:
Shammi Kapoor made his debut in the Film Industry with the film Jeewan Jyoti in 1953. It was directed by Mahesh Kaul. The first heroine opposite Shammi Kapoor was Chand Usmani. The film starred Shashikala and Leela Mishra. His initial career was unsuccessful in the early years of the 50s but he was reduced to a second fiddle cast opposite established actresses. He worked in films like Rail Ka Dibba, Naqab, Mehbooba Shama Parwana, Mem Sahib, etc from 1953-1957 but none were successful.
Films like Tumsa Nahin Dekha and Dil Deke Dekho in 1957 and 1959 created his light-hearted-young and stylish lover boy Image. Further, Junglee strengthened the image and he became the synonym for Romcoms. Mohammed Rafi was frequently the voice behind the characters played by Shammi Kapoor. Then in the 1960s, he starred opposite new actresses like Asha Parekh, Saira Banu, Sharmila Tagore, and Sadhana who themselves carved a successful journey for themselves. Some of his popular films in the 1960s were Boy Friend, Rajkumar, Professor, Dil Tera Diwana, Junglee, College Girl, Basant, Vallah Kya Baat Hai, Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya, Bluff Master, Janwar and Teesri Manzil, China Town, Kashmir Ki Kali.
His film Brahmachari in 1968 made him get his first Filmfare best actor award. He carved a unique identity and was the sole dancing hero till the 1970s. He mostly used to compose his dancing steps without a choreographer. His pairing with the south Indian actress also brought success. However, after the 60s some of his films were unsuccessful. Additionally, his weight proved to be a hindrance to his romantic Hero Image. His last film was Andaz (1971) and Chhote Sarkar (1974) released late, which became his last film as a lead actor.
After that, he became a successful supporting actor and played the role of Saira Banu’s father in Zameer. Even though he earlier starred opposite him in the movie junglee in 1971. He continued working as a supporting actor and won Filmfare best-supporting actor for his performance in Vidhaata. He even worked on Zee television’s social melodrama serial called Chattan in the 1990s. He made a handful of appearances in films during the 2000s. His last film appearance was in Imtiaz Ali’s 2011 film Rockstar. It starred his grand-nephew, Ranbir Kapoor.
Marriage and Personal life:
Shammi Kapoor met Actress Geeta Bali in 1955 at the shoot of Rangeen Raaten. Shammi Kapoor was the leading actor in the film and Geeta Bali made a cameo in the film. They married 4 months later at Banganga Temples near Malabar hills in Mumbai. The couple had a son named Aditya Raj Kapoor a year after the marriage in 1956. They had their second child five years later in 1961 and she was named Kanchan. However, Geeta Bali died in 1965 from Smallpox.
In 1969, Shammi Kapoor married Neila Devi, from Bhojapara, Gujarat. Actress Mumtaz in 2011 revealed that the rebel actor had proposed to her when the 2 came close at the shoot of the film Brahmachari. The incident took place after the death of his first wife.
She refused because the actor wanted her to give up her career for marriage. He was admitted to Breach Candy hospital of Mumbai on 7 August 2011. He was suffering from Chronic Kidney failure and his condition was critical for the next few days. He took his last breath on 14 August 2011 at the age of 79.
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