By Biman Baruah
( My personal accolade to Shammi Kapoor and his major playback voice Mohammed Rafi )
(This article is dedicated to Rajkumari Neela Devi and Aditya Raj Kapoor.)

Shammi Kapoor

Actor Shammi Kapoor unified with voice of God nearly 1 ½ year back in 2011. Once upon a time, Producer-Director Manmohan Desai remarked about Mohammad Rafi: “If God had a voice, it would be Rafi’s voice’.” Manmohan Desai also remarked, “My first brush with superstardom came when I directed Shammi Kapoor who is India’s first superstar and the most stylish actor ever seen in Hindi Cinema.” Monmohan Desai was a great aficionado of Rafi Sahab who directed the Shammi Kapoor in four films: BLUF MASTER (1963) & BUDTAMEEZ (1966) as a leading hero and PARVARISH (1977) & DESH PREMEE (1982) in supporting role.

On 14^th August, 2011, Shammi Kapoor the most charming and brightest star of Hindi Cinema passed way at the age of 79 at Breach Candy Hospital, Mumbai at 5.15 am after 31 years from great demise of his voice Mohd. Rafi on 31^st July, 1980. On his death, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh remarked, “I am sad to learn of Shammi Kapoor’s demise. He was an accomplished actor who entertained millions and millions of fans in India and abroad. I share his family’s grief.”

Shammi Kapoor’s real name was Shamsher Raj Kapoor, the second son of Prithviraj Kapoor, was born on 21^st October, 1931. He joined his father’s “Prithvi Theatres” as a junior artiste in 1948 at a salary of Rs. 50 per month and stayed there till 1952 with last pay out of Rs. 300. He started his film career as a hero in the Kardar Film Company’s JEEVAN JYOTI (1953) directed by Mahesh Kaul. Though he paired with top actresses of the era, like Madhubala, Geeta Bali, Suraiya, Nalini Jaywant and Nutan in his initial films, his carrier was not gear up at the box office. In 1955, he married famous actress cum his co-star in RANGEEN RATEN, Geeta Bali. Then,he signed Filmstan’s romantic comedy TUMSA NAHIN DEKHA (1957) with director Nasir Hussain and on advice of his wife he had change his image. For this film, he shaved his pencil moustache and cut his hair in the famous ducktail style. His new haircut and clean shaved face suddenly focus his fabulous eyes aided by O.P. Nayyar’s bouncing musical scores with foot stepping numbers such as “Yoon Tu Humne Laakh Haseen Dekhein Hain”, “Jawaniyan Yeh Mast Mast Bin Piye” and “Chhupnewale Saamne Aa” in the voice of Mohammed Rafi. The film became a huge hit and it made Shammi Kapoor not just a star but a trademark. Thus, O.P. Nayyar also set Rafi as a voice of charming actor, though Rafi had sung from his first film. Then, he starred in DIL DEKE DEKHO (1959), second film directed by Nasir Hussain which was produced by Shashadhar Mukherjee. It was a debut film of composer Usha Khanna, heroine Asha Parekh, comedian Rajendranath. The songs of the film in the voice of Rafi Sahab also became very popular and the film was a big hit. The title song of the film, “Dil Deke Dekho, Dil Deke Dekho Ji, Dil Lenewaloo Dil Dena Sikho Ji” and “Bolo Bolo Kuch To Bolo, Dil Na Taado” sung by Rafi Sahab for Shammi Kapoor with Rock-N-Roll flavour. The popular duets from the film, “Yaar Chulbula Hai, Haseen Dilruba Hai” and “Bade Hai Dil Ke Kale” sung by Rafi, Asha Bhosle with Chorus beautifully picturised on Shammi Kapoor & Asha Parekh with a group in a legitimate outdoor. After all, the film confer its hero Shammi Kapoor a new image of comic dancing hero with mystical voice of singing God, Rafi Sahab.

Shammi Kapoor

Mohammed Rafi was the meticulous voice of Shammi Kapoor from his first film JEEVAN JYOTI (1953) with Chand Usmani to CHOTE SARKAR (1974) with Sadhana. However, there was an exception that his occasional playback also done by Talat Mehmood (Thokar, Memsahib), Hemant Kumar (Bluff Master),Mukesh( Ujala, Bluff Master) and Manna Dey (Ujala, Pagla Kahin Ka, Janne Anjaane, Monoranjan). Mohammed Rafi sung two notable songs in his first film Jeevan Jyoti, “Aankhon Mein Hai Tu” and “Lag Gayi Ankhiyaan O More Baalam” composed by S.D.Burman. There was a fascinating fact to note that in the first film, Shammi Kapoor himself sang two lines “So Jaa Re So Jaa”. Shammi Kapoor started his career with serious roles, got the playboy image with films like TUMSA NAHIN DEKA (1957) and DIL DEKE DEKHO (1959) due to musical hit with Rafi songs. He became a star with “Yahoo” image from his first colour and huge hit film JUNGLEE (1961) where Rafi shouted “Yahoo! Chahe Koi Mujhe Junglee Kahe” which gave the actor his uniqueness. This matchless singer-actor combination followed by a number of hit films like PROFESSOR, RAJKUMAR, KASHMIR KI KALI, TEESRI MANZIL, AN EVENING IN PARIS, BRAHMACHARI, ANDAZ and which made Hindi Cinema’s first dancing star. Rafi Saheb nominated for Filmfare Award for the song “Aye Gulbadam Aye Gulbadan” from PROFESSOR (1962) and won Filmfare Award for the song, “Dil Ke Jharoke Mein Tujko Bithakar” from BRAHMACHARI (1968). In the same way, Shammi Kapoor nominated for Filmfare Best Actor Award for PROFESSOR and won Filmfare Best Actor Award for BRAHMACHARI.

In 1960s, he was paired with established actresses like Vyjayanthimala, Padmini, Shakila, Mala Sinha as well as with new sensational actresses like Asha Parekh, Saira Banu, Sharmila Tagore, Rajshree, Sadhana, Kalpana Mohan with zingy romantic songs in the velvet voice of Mohammed Rafi mainly scored by O.P.Nayyar, Shankar-Jaikishan, Usha Khanna (Dil Deke Dekho), Ravi (China Town), Kalyanji-Anandji (Bluff Master) and R. D. Burman (Teesri Manzil). In real life also his name was connected with number of females. In early 1950s, he was in love with a belly dancer, Nadia Gamal with whom things did not work and she went back to her home country Cairo. In 1955, he met Geeta Bali during outdoor shooting of film Rangeen Raaten at Ranikhet. They fell in love in the hill station during outdoor shift and after four months they married at Banganga Temples, near Napean Sea Road, Mumbai. Their son Aditya Raj Kapoor was born on 1^st July, 1956 and daughter Kanchan born on 8^th August, 1961. In 1965, during shooting of Teesri Manzil, Geeta Bali died due to small pox, leaving Shammi with two small children alone. Then, he had affairs with co-star Mumtaz from Wallah Kya Baat Hai and Brahmachari. Shammi Kapoor proposed her for marriage and to give-up films, so that she can take care of his two small children, but she refused. Later on, Mumtaz after becoming Mrs. Madhvani says in an interview.”The only man I really cared for and was thoroughly infatuated with, was Shammi Kapoor. We had even decided to marry. But he wanted me to give up films and became a housewife. I was 18 years old then, I couldn’t do that. I wanted my career and we parted mutually. He used to genuinely care for me too but I don’t think I could have agreed to his condition of giving up films at that time.” On 27^th January, 1969, Shammi Kapoor married Neila Devi Gohil from the royal family of Bhavnagar in Gujrat which lasted for 42 years. Neila Devi Kapoor dedicated her life for Shammi Kapoor and his two children from Geeta Bali without having a child of her own.

In early 1970s, enhancing age with his significant weight gain and due to popularity of Rajesh Khanna, Shammi Kapoor missed his career as a romantic hero. For instance, his last hit ANDAZ’s (1971) success credit was attributed by some audiences for the little cameo by Rajesh Khanna in the film though the hero of the film was Shammi Kapoor and the film depicts the end of his era. Then Shammi Kapoor switched over to direction and supporting roles. He directed MANORANJAN (1974) with Sanjeev Kumar & Zeenat Aman himself playing a supporting role and BANDALBAAZ (1976) with Rajesh Khanna & Sulakshna Pandit, but both the films were unsuccessful. When he became director, Jaikishan passed away from his favourite music composer duo Shankar-Jaikishan, he kept in mind about R. D. Burman from Teesri Manzil. Unfortunately, director Shammi Kapoor picturised the only song “Goyake Chunnanche” on himself in the voice of Manna Dey in Manoranjan and the duet from Bandalbaaz “Naghma Hamara, Gayega Yeh Zamana” in the voice of Mohd. Rafi on Rajesh Khanna.

Shammi Kapoor became a successful character actor from director Ravi Chopra’s debut ZAMMER (1975) playing the role of father of  Saira Banu, his leading lady love from JUNGLEE(1961) and BLUFF MASTER (1964). His character roles followed by PARVARISH (1977), SHALIMAR (1978), ROCKY(1981), PREM ROG (1982), VIDHAATA (1982), DESH PREMEE (1982), HERO (1983), BETAAB (1983), WANTED (1983), EK JAAN HAIN HUM (1983), SOHNI MOHIWAL (1984), BADAL, BALIDAAN, KARAMDATA (1985), ALLAH RAKHA (1986), HIMMAT AUR MEHNAT, BATWAARA, HAKUMAT(1987),IJJAZAT(1988), AJOOBA(1991) and CHAMATKAR(1992).

The multi singer song, “Hum Premee Prem Karna Jaaane, Pyar Ke Dushman Ko Hazaron Mein Pehchanee” from the film PARVARISH (1977) is the only example where Rafi Sahab singing for other actor in a Shammi Kapoor song. In this song Shailendra Singh was the voice of Shammi Kapoor, Rafi for Vinod Khanna and Kishore Kumar for Amitabh Bachchan composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal. Rafi’s last song, “Naag Devta” from Shalimar  for the actor composed by R.D. Burman in the lyrics of Anand Bakshi. In the duet, “Haathon Ki Chand Lakeeron Ka” from Vidhaata, Kalyanji-Anandji used voice of Anwar to playback for Shammi Kapoor and Suresh Wadkar for Dilip Kumar. In Vidhaata, Kishore Kumar also first time playback for the actor in the song “Saat Saheliyaan, Khadi Khadi Fariyaad Sunayeeye Ghadi Ghadi” and the song was picturised on Shammi Kapoor and Padmini Kolhapure. It was followed by the song from Wanted, “Tumsa Nahin Dekha, Dil Deke Dekho, Deewana Deewana Deewana, Dil Tera Deewana” composed by Bappi Lahari and the song was picturised on Shammi Kapoor and Tina Munim. The lyric of the song was only congregation of Shammi Kapoor’s name of films and line of songs. Apparently, Kishore Kumar sang for the actor decade ago in the title song of Janne Anjanne (1971) under composition of Shankar-Jaikishan which was picturised on Shammi Kapoor in background.

In 1982, he got the Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for VIDHAATA. During 1983 for a short period of time produced his own video entertainment magazine called “Shammi Kapoor presents Manoranjan”. After release of six volumes, he stopped producing since number people doing the same job. He was also one of the foremost internet users in India. He is the founder and chairman of Internet Users Community of India.

In 1995, he got the Filmfare Lifetime Acheivement Award for his contribution to Hindi Cinema. He continued his character roles in films like PREM GRANTH, AUR PYAR HO GAYA (1996), KAREEB (1998), JAANAM SAMJHA KARO (1999), EAST IS EAST (1999), YEH HAY JALWA (2001), WAAH! TERA KYA KEHNA (2002), BHOLA IN BOLLYWOOD (2005), SANDWICH (2006). He played the role of grandfather of Salman Khan in Jaanam Samjha Karo. The Rebel star was last seen in Imtiaz Ali’s film ROCKSTAR with his grand nephew Ranbir Kapoor.

His son Aditya Raj Kapoor plans to remake his father’s hit film DIL DEKE DEKHO who already directed three English films, namely Don’t Stop Dreaming, Sambar Salsa, Shamal already released in America, London, Dubai respectively and a Hindi film Baltidevi Queen of South Hall- A Musical starring Rakhi Sawant. By profession he was a management man for last 25 years who assisted Randhir Kapoor at the age of 16 in Dharam Karam and Raj Kapoor in Satyam Shivam Sundaram. He worked five years in RK Studios with J P Dutta and Kuku Kohli. Then he migrated to Dubai to set up UAE’s first ethnic Hindi Channel “Azman 7 to 9”. His daughter Kanchan Kapoor married to late Producer-Director Monmohan Desai’s son Ketan Desai.

Mohammed Rafi made playback for a large number of actors in Hindi Film. But his most noteworthy contributions to Hindi Films that he majorly gave his voice to Shammi Kapoor, the first dancing star of Hindi Cinema. Shammi Kapoor was a very brilliant dance, his look and dancing style are very familiar to Hollywood actor Elvis Presly. Therefore, he was called as Elvis Presly of INDIA. Once, Mohammed Rafi said that if Shammi Kapoor was born as a leaf, that leaf would fall off dancing. It was very difficult to visualize whether Shammi Kapoor would have been able to get the energetic and youthful zany image that he promoted for himself if Rafi Sahab was not there. The Yahoo image that Shammi Kapoor acquired was owed to the voice of Mohammad Rafi which facilitated him to stand on box office for nearly a decade. The eminence of saxophone that found in the heartbreaking songs that Rafi Sahab sang for Shammi Kapoor never takes notice of once again. Shammi Kapoor used to attend the recording of his songs by Rafi Sahab. He also played an active role in the selection of his song, concept of music and final picturisation of his songs in consultation with Rafi Sahab. Accordingly, Rafi Sahab had developed a particular singing style to go well with the actor and the actor also added value of popularity of the songs with his exclusive style of dance movements. Grippingly, Shammi Kapoor never learnt dancing and hardly worked with a choreographer, his moves were all his own. Therefore, each and every song of this combination became charismatic and everlasting. For instance, in the Kashmir Ki Kali song, “Taarif Karoon Kya Usski” the word “Taarif” expressed differently each time and repeated with standout step by Shammi Kapoor. Shammi Kapoor till his last days recognised prominence of his peerless vocal strength in his career with his great remark, “I am incomplete without Mohammed Rafi.” Mohammed Rafi and Shammi Kapoor were very simple and humble human beings for which they be always remembered.   Once in an interview producer director, Shakti Samanta remarked about Shammi Kapoor, “I found Shammi to be a thoroughly good man. Even in his heydays, he was quite humble.” He directed Shammi Kapoor in six hit films like, Singapore (1960), China Town (1962), Kashmir Ki Kali (1964), An Evening In Paris (1967), Pagla Kahin Ka (1970) and Jaane Anjane (1971).

Teesri Manzil and An Evening In Paris

A list of Rafi jewels of from different films picturised on Shammi Kapoor:-

Shammi Kapoor twisted a new image of the Hindi film hero playing strange characters with name of films like, JUNGLE, JAANWAR, BUDTAMEEZ, PROFESSOR, BLUFMASTER, RAJKUMAR, PRINCE and BRAHMACHARI. He transported more romanticism in Hindi film songs with his bouncing performance and sensuous dance movements. Before and after Shammi Kapoor, no Hindi film hero slide down in the snowfall with ear-splitting “Yahoo! Chahe Koi Mujhe Junglee Kahe” and humming “Aasman Se Aaya Farishta, Pyar Ka Sabak Sikhane Ko” with vibration of Helicopter. His style and fame generated employment for a number of his imitators like Joy Mukherjee, Biswajeet, Jeetendra, Rishi Kapoor, Rajiv Kapoor, etc. and his films launched the successful careers of new heroines like Asha Parekh (Dil Deke Dekho), Saira Banu (Junglee), Kalpana Mohan (Professor) and Sharmila Tagore (Kashmir Ki Kali). In this time of the DON 2, it is conceivably very interesting to know that the original edition of Chandra Barot’s DON starring Amitabh Bachchan was a reprise of CHINA TOWN (1962) staring Shammi Kapoor in double role. In fact, Shammi Kapoor’s films rented out maximum from video libraries even today. The Mohammed Rafi songs composed by Shankar-Jaikishan and Omkar Prasad Nayyar picturised on Shammi Kapoor are extremely hummable and appealing songs till date. The songs like, “Yoon Tu Humne Laakh Haseen Dekhein Hain”, “Aiyiyaa Karoon Main Kya Suku Suku”, “Khuli Palak Mein Jhoota Gussa Bandh Palak Mein Pyar”, “Govinda Aala Re Aala”, “Deewana Huwa Badal”, “Tumne Pukara Aur Hum Chale Aaye”, “ Meri Mohabbat Jawan Rahegi”, “Nazar Bachakar Chale Gaye Ho Aur Na Ghayal Kaar Deta” , “Akele Akele Kahaan Jaa Rahe Ho”, “Tumne Mujhe Dekha Ho Kar Mehrubba”, “Badan Pe Sitare Lapete Hue”, “Aajkaj Tere Mere Pyaar Ke Charche”, “Kiss Kisko Pyar Karoon”, “Raimam Ma Raimam Ma Re Sun Lo Sunata Hoon Tumko Kahani” are very much remembered and hummed by younger generations. The signature jingle “Tum Mujhe Yoon Bhula Na Paaoge, Jab Sunogee Geet Mere Sang Sang Tum Gungunaoge” from PAGLA KAHIN KA will immortalise this singer-actor permutation eternally.

Brahmachari Kashmir Ki Kali

Filmography of an absolute Rafi hero Shammi Kapoor in lead:-

Biman Baruah with Family at Shammi Kapoor statue in Bandra in Mumbai

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