By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
‘आओ बैठो हमारे पहलू में पनाह ले लो
मेरी जलती हुई आँखों पे ये आँखे रख दो
ऐ मेरे प्यार के ख्वाबो की हसी शहज़ादी
होठ क्यों काँप रहे हैं कुछ तो बोलो
तुमने पुकारा और हम चले आए
जान हथेली पर ले आए रे
तुमने पुकारा और हम चले आए’
Shammi Kapoor Born 21 October,1931 has undoubtedly been the most lively,stylish , agile,acrobatic of all actors of his time.The youngest son of Prithviraj Kapoor Shammi had germs of acting in his blood since childhood.Although his debut film was Jeewan Jyoti”( 1953) directed by Mahesh Kaul opposite Chand Usmani,it was Sashadhar Mukherjee who saw sparks of acting in the boy & cast him in Tumsa Nahin Dekha”( 1957) opposite a newcomer Ameeta.Directed by Nasir Hussain,the film turned out to be a musical hits with foot-tapping & clapping numbers to boast under the baton O.P.Nayyar-“Sar Par Topi Lal, Haath Mein Resham Ka Rumal” ,”Dekho Kasam Se Kehte Hai Tumse Haan”,”Jawaanian Yeh Mast Mast Bin Peeye”,”Chhupnewale Saamne Aa”,and the theme song” Yoon To Humne Lakh Hasee Dekhe Hain,Tumsa Nahi Dekha”.Encouraged by the box office success of the film Mukherjee repeated Shammi Kapoor in ” Dil Deke Dekho”( 1959)again under the direction of Nasir Hussain with music score by Usha Khanna with O. P. Nayyar’s touch. This film, too, did wonders on the music front and was welcomed by the cinegoers all over with many hits like-“Bade Hai Dil Ke Kaale”,”Hum Aur Tum Aur Yeh Sama”, “Bolo Bolo Kuch Toh Bolo” rendered by Asha Bhosle & Rafi.In between the actor had another hit “Ujala”( 1958) directed by Ramesh Seigal opposite Mala Sinha supported by Raj Kumar, another musical bonanza for the audience with someof the most popular numbers like- “Jhoomta Mousam, Mast Mahina”(Manna Day-Lata), “Tera Jalwa Jisne Dekha” (Lata) & “Duniya Walaon Se Door”( Mukesh-Lata) to mention some.
In 1961 Shammi was cast opposite newcomer Saira Bano in Subodh Mukherjee’s ” Junglee”, another musical magic with songs like- “Chahe Koi Mujhe Junglee Kahe”,”Ehsaan Tera Hoga” “Din Sara Guzara Tore Angana “, “Nain Tumhare Mazedaar”, & “Kashmir Ki Kali Hoon Main” composed by Shankar Jaikishan duo. Everything the actor touched was turning into gold.It was followed by “Dil Tera Deewana”( “Mujhe Kitna Pyar Hai Tumse” ) & Lekh Tandon’s “Professor” with hits like “Khuli Palak Mein Jhoota Gussa”, & “Main Chali Main Chali to mention few.Both film were released in 1962 followed by “Raj Kumar”(“Tumne Pukara Aur Hum Chale Aaye”) & Shakti Samanta’s romantic musical drama “Kashmir Ki Kali” ; debutant Sharmila Tagore being the star attraction of the latter film( both 1964).”Yeh Chand Sa Roshan Chehra”, “Hai Duniya Usiki, Zamana Usika”,”Isharon Isharon Mein Dil Lenewale”,& “Deewana Hua Badal” were some of the high voltage songs composed by none other than O. P .Nayyar. Vijay Anand’s musical thriller “Teesri Manzil” starring Asha Parekh & Prem Chopra added another feather in his cap. “O Haseena Zulfonwali Jaane Jahan” , “O Mere Sona Re Sona Re Sona Re” & “Aaja Aaja Main Hoon Pyar Tera” were hits composed by R.D.Burman.
Gifted with dancing feet, playfulness, & unbelievable agility Shammi Kapoor is credited with having worked with many nubile actresses on their debut -the likes of Saira, Sharmila,& Ameeta to mention few. The actor had a a brief romantic fling with renowned Egptian dancer Nadia Gamal in early fifties during his Lankan trip. It ended following her moving back to Cairo. Nadia Gamal was cast by Dev Anand in his movie “Prem Pujari”. Shammi Kapoor later Married the celebrated actress Geeta Bali in 1955.After her death he married Neela Devi in 1969. Rated as the most stylish Indian hero of his time by many actresses who worked opposite him.
