Raj Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor (standing); Prithviraj Kapoor with Randhir Kapoor on his lap and Shashi Kapoor (sitting)The stage was set for SHAMMI KAPOOR…MUCH BEFORE HE MASTERED THOSE ELVIS PRESLEY- MEETS- JAMES DEAN MOVES FOR HIS SILVER SCREEN AVATAR, THE LATE SHAMMI KAPOOR TOOK BABY STEPS INTO THE WORLD OF ACTING DURING HIS ENCOUNTERS WITH THEATRE. HERE’S A LOOK AT THE SUPERSTAR’S HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
Shammi Kapoor with his father Prithviraj Kapoor, seen here after a show of the play Pathan, produced by Prithvi Theatres.
Premnath and Bina Rai with a beaming Shammi Kapoor and his beautiful bride Geeta Bali
Shammi Kapoor and his Wife Geeta Bali
Shammi Kapoor and his First Wife Geeta Bali
Shammi Kapoor and his Wife Geeta Bali
Shammi Kapoor With SAIRA BANU ( Junglee & Zameer) ‘ During Junglee, he was very upset with me’ When I was offered Junglee, I had come down for my holidays from London. At that point, the only heroes I had heard of were Dilip Saab, Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand. I hadn’t watched a single film of Shammi Saab. The first thing we shot was the Yahoo song in Srinagar. I had no idea how to lip sync or react to the music. He was so upset with me. He told me that I was wasting time, and that I should learn acting. It made me so angry that I took it as a challenge to do the song right. It became a cult number. We were offered a lot of films together, which I refused to sign because I was still upset with him. Now I feel I could have done so much more work with him. But we were family friends; Yusuf Saab ( Dilip Kumar) and he would speak in Punjabi for hours. I will never forget those moments.
Shammi Kapoor With SHARMILA TAGORE ( Kashmir Ki Kali & An Evening In Paris) ‘ He was not at all like his family’ He was not like the rest of the Kapoors. He was completely out- of- the- box, and that’s what everyone loved about him.When I first heard that I was doing my first Hindi film with Shammi Kapoor, I couldn’t really believe my ears. But it is when I started working with him that I realised what a fine actor he was. On screen his mannerisms and eccentricities would overshadow a lot of other elements, but he was an extremely sensitive performer … you can see that in the song Ishaaron ishaaron mein in Kashmir Ki Kali. That quality of acting comes from theatre, which is where he first began his training.
Shammi Kapoor With ASHA PAREKH - ‘ We shared a rapport...’ He was a great person. He loved life and lived it to the utmost… he was a very happygo- lucky human being. I started my career with him, so there was a very comfortable rapport between us. In fact, I met him a few months back and there was nothing so serious.I think everyone should learn how to value life and live it to the fullest from Shammiji.
Shammi Kapoor With MUMTAZ ( Bramhachari) ‘ He loved entertaining people’ I did just one film with Shammiji, but we were good family friends. He was a very generous person. But he was also a little short- tempered with people who managed to rub him the wrong way. He had many friends and he loved entertaining people. I think he did not get his due until Pagla Kahin Ka and Bramhachari. I was just 18 when I gave my first shot with him, and even then I could very well gauge what an excellent performer he was.You can never ever compare him with anyone because there will never be another Shammi Kapoor.
Shammi Kapoor With SADHANA ( Rajkumar & Badtameez) ‘ He used to lend me books all the time’ I have to confess that initially I was a little apprehensive about working with Shammi Kapoor because I did not know if I would be compatible with him as a co- star. But it was an absolute delight to work with him. He was not just a co- star, but also a friend and a guide.The one thing that stood out was his sense of humour. He would make everyone laugh, easing the tension. Not many know this, but he was a voracious reader and he had an excellent library at home. He used to suggest authors and books to me, and sometimes even force me to read stuff.There was and will be no one like him.
Shammi uncle was, is and always be for me, the epitome of the joy-of-life, positive energy. His big support and anchor in life was Neela aunty and my heart goes out to her at this time. Indians will always be indebted to him for the joy that he brought to our lives — AAMIR KHAN
Docs say he was a role model for many suffering from kidney disorders.Shammi Kapoor’s death is just not a loss for the Indian film community, but also for the medical fraternity. The veteran actor played an important role in creating awareness of kidney disorders as he too was suffering from renal failure.
On Sunday morning, Shammi Kapoor breathed his last in the intensive care unit ( ICU) of Breach Candy hospital.
Kapoor was admitted to the hospital after he developed breathlessness and low blood pressure. On Friday his condition deteriorated, and he was put on a ventilator for support.
Kapoor was on dialysis for the last nine years. “ He had developed cardiac complications along with the infection.
He passed away on Sunday morning,” said Dr Bhupendra Gandhi, who was treating him.
Awe- inspiring Though suffering from renal failures and undergoing dialysis at least thrice a week, Kapoor would never turn down a request when it came to attending any patient meets or programs to spread awareness on kidney disorders.
Dr Bharat Shah, nephrologist, Narmada Kidney foundation, said, “ He was always associated with programmes on kidney disorders. He has attended our ‘ DONOR’ day celebration and has been a role model for many patients who have not been able to find a donated or cadaver kidney and are on dialysis.”
Pictures of Shammi Kapoor on the Sets of His Last Film Rockstar
Director Imtiaz Ali gets emotional as he talks about his interactions with Shammi Kapoor on the sets of his forthcoming film“ How are you feeling sir?” I asked Shammiji on one particular day of the shoot. “ How am I? I have been on dialysis for the last 10 years. I am on a wheelchair, I’ve lost two more toes in an operation a few days back, my tail bone’s fractured, I can’t sit for long because of the pain… But I am fine,,” he said. Then he showed me the thumbs up and smiled. “ I am fine.” Such a soul as Shammi Kapoor can’t be lamented. We can only lament for ourselves that he has decided to walk away. I feel the blessing, the good fortune that all of us had to have met him, to have seen his smile, to have touched his feet and hugged him, to have felt the warmth of his presence that permeated each corner of the set. Everyone was in top form when he was there. We all knew that the rockstar was on sets and all of us — including Ranbir — were just his attendants.
Thanks for the blessing Shammiji. Haan, hum tumhein yoon bhula na paayenge. Jab kabhi bhi sunenge geet tere, sang sang hum bhi gungunaenge. And once again, to you from all of us – Yaaahhhhooooo .
