A legend, A Trendsetter of experimenting variations in acting skills, after Raj Kapoor one of the Veteran Actor’s from the Kapoor family, A prominent lead in Indian Cinema during 50s particularly, A man who started his Acting career as a Junior artist during 1948 with a monthly salary of Rs. 150/-, then became one of the most wanted Hero of B – Town within couple of years, the Actor who wooed particularly woman audience during 50s with his Tall, handsome, fair looks and a peculiar characterization and body language, right from his most popular film ‘Junglee’, this ‘Funny and Entertaining Characterization of a Hero’, that later became a Trend setter, of viewing a perspective of ‘Hero’ in Indian Cinema. Even though, it did not take much time for this Actor to succeed in this industry, initially he had to play second leads in many films. But, even then, he managed to drag the entire attention of the audience on him. Who can forget the song sequences, the romantic sequences, the Acting skills and the entire take off of the film, Shammi Kapoor’s chemistry with Sharmila Tagore, in the block buster film, ‘Kashmir Ki Kali’ .
Another to be noted factor of Shammi Kapoor is, this Actor made sure that all the songs sung for him, were to be by Veteran play back singer Mohammad Rafi, because the mesmerizing voice of this singer, would suit the amazing looks and expressive face of Shammi Kapoor. Shammi was one such Actor, whose body language was imitated by, many other Top Heroes at that time itself, and also till date (Not to forget, the third generation actor’s from Kapoor family, Ranbir Kapoor imitated Shammi Kapoor, in a song sequence in the film ‘Anjana Anjani’).
One of the finest Actor’s of Indian Cinema, Shammi Kapoor though experienced a peek of success, in his Career, on contrary, faced many ups and downs in his personal life. Take a look on the jist of this Actor’s personal life;
Shammi Kapoor met Geeta Bali in 1955, during the shooting of the film ‘Rangeen Raaten’. He was the leading actor and she played a small role, in the film. Four months after they first met, they got married. They informed their parents only after their marriage.
Shammi and Geeta lived happily together for a couple of years. They had a son, Aditya Raj Kapoor, on 1 July 1956, a year after they were married. Five years later, in 1961, they had a daughter, Kanchan.
During the filming of Teesri Manzil. Geeta died of small pox.
In 1969, he married his second wife Neela Devi Gohil from the Royal Family of Bhavnagar in Gujarat. After couple of years, Shammi gradually reduced playing a lead role in the films, and turned a supporting actor in many other films, playing Saira Banu's father in Zameer (1975), when he had been her leading man a decade earlier in Junglee (1961) and Bluff Master (1964) and playing Amitabh Bachchan's foster father in Parvarish. He also directed Manoranjan (1974) a copy of Irma La Douce and in which he played a supporting role himself andBandalbaaz (1976), but neither were successful. In the 1980s and 1990s, he continued to play supporting roles in many films and won a Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for his performance in Vidhaata (1982). He eventually cut down on film appearances by the late 1990s and early 2000s and made his last appearance in the delayed 2006 release Sandwich.
Shammi Kapoor was the founder and chairman of Internet Users Community of India (IUCI). He had also played a major role in setting up internet organizations like the Ethical Hackers Association. Kapoor also maintained a website dedicated to the 'Kapoor family’.
In 2006, he experienced ill health and the condition became so serious that, he underwent dialysis three times a week. And his health condition has been becoming unbearable day by day. He fought against his ill health for all these years, and passed away today. Born on 21st October 1931, Shammi Kapoor passed away around 5:30 am at Mumbai Breach Candy hospital on 14-August-2011 where he was undergoing treatment.
Andhrawishesh team expresses Condolence for this Veteran Actor’s death. May his soul rest in peace!
