The rebel star is back

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After a series of dialysis procedures, he looks fitter. He says, “I am very grateful to God for blessing me with all I have achieved and I have no regrets.”

In the late 50s, Shammi Kapoor was the only actor to carve a niche for himself when he had stalwarts like Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand to compete with. And he highly praises these senior actors, including talented performers like Uttam Kumar and Shivaji Ganeshan. Says Shammi, “Dilip Kumar is unparalleled in intense and tragic performances; Raj Kapoor was unbeaten in tragi-comedy. Uttamda was versatile while Shivaji Ganeshan was a marvelous actor.” As for actresses, Asha Parekh, Saira Banu, Sadhna and Sharmila Tagore are his favourites.  

Kapoor’s filmography is impressive. He has worked with Bollywood biggies of his time including Nasir Hussain, Shakti Samanta and Lekh Tandon. Vijay Anand, with whom he teamed up and performed in the very successful Teesri Manzil, lamented throughout his life for not working in another film with the actor.

Shammi made it big with Tumsa Nahin Dekha, a role which was refused by Dev Anand. He worked in this Nasir Hussain movie along with Ameeta and the film went on to celebrate its silver jubilee all over India. This was followed by Dil Deke Dekho, China Town, Junglee, Professor and Raj Kumar; there was no stopping him. A nostalgic Kapoor says, “For the yahoo song, I rehearsed sliding down the snow-capped mountains of Kashmir with Saira Banu for three days and then gave the final take.”

The veteran actor is better known for his flamboyant sense of style and natural performances; a rare ability of blending emotions, comedy, rhythm and action like no other actor of his times did. He was the first actor to be present for every song recording for his films and worked on each of his song sequences. How did he develop his unique sense of rhythm, which is unabashedly copied even today by the likes of Aamir Khan, Salman Khan and even Ranbir Kapoor?

In fact, Ranbir once said that his famous song sequence — khuda jaane main from Bachna Ae Haseeno was influenced by his iconic grandfather’s performance in deewane ka naam to pucho from An Evening In Paris. Shammi Kapoor reacts, “Rhythm came spontaneously to me and still does. I personally conceptualised and choreographed badan pe sitare in Prince and dil use do in Andaaz. After the final shooting of both the songs, Vyjayantimala and Hema Malini personally requested me to direct them in the future.”

He says, “Mohammad Rafi was my true ghost voice just as the duo Shanker-Jaikishan was my musical soul. Once, when I was away abroad, Rafi was recording a song for me. Just hearing the sequence from Shanker Jaikishan, he sang it in one take exactly as I should have performed it on screen. Manna De, Mukesh and Hemant Kumar have also rendered memorable numbers for me just as OP Nayar, Usha Khanna, Ravi and Kalyanji Anandji created beautiful numbers which went very well with my acting style.”

Though considered an entertainer, Shammi Kapoor performed with gravitas in many films like Brahmchari. He shed original tears in Pagla Kahin Ka. With KA Abbas’s Char Dil Char Rahen, he silenced his critics with his mind blowing performance as Tony, the motor mechanic. He clearly refused to perform any song sequence in the film as he felt it was not required, though KA Abbas insisted on one. Shammi’s fight sequences were so natural that even action composer Shetty personally confessed of being afraid of his left hand punches!

Talking about of present day films and actors Shammi says, “Amitabh Bachchan has always been the most versatile since the past four decades. However, actors today are also impressive. While Aamir Khan and Hrithik Roshan are heavyweights for sure, Kareena Kapoor is an ideal combination of beauty and talent.”

He adds, “If you ask me my favourite character roles, they are definitely from films like Parvarish, Meera Bai, Ahista Ahista, Harjaee and Prem Rog.” At the mention of his super hit melody, aye hain door se from Tumsa Nahin Dekha, a tear drop of joy trickles down his right cheek. “Are Are, you still remember me as the Sardar in disguise during the song? You know, I concentrated fully on my facial expressions, lips and maintained a balance between my neck and shoulders while performing the duet.”