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Rediff.com  » Movies » 10 Reasons We Still Miss Shammi Kapoor
This article was first published 12 years ago

10 Reasons We Still Miss Shammi Kapoor

Last updated on: August 14, 2012 14:46 IST

Image: Shammi Kapoor
Sukanya Verma in Mumbai

The glory and nostalgia associated with some stars is so mighty, it continues to dazzle our memories even after they're gone. 

And with his radiant face, tender voice and a perpetual spring in his step, it's not hard to understand why Shammi Kapoor is at the forefront of such sentiment. 

August 14, 2012 marks a year since Hindi cinema's most exuberant icon passed away but the love he received from his admirers has neither diminished nor jaded.

Here's remembering what we miss most about the man and his inimitable magic. 

His adas

Shammi Kapoor could be Junglee, Budthameez and Prince. Here's how: His frothy range of expressions doling out everything between a mocking pout to curiously arched eyebrows, carefree mannerisms and a willingness to engage in uninhibited tomfoolery painted the screen with unrivalled effervescence.

His warmth

Image: Shammi Kapoor in Brahmachari

With his soft smile and genial presence, Shammi Kapoor effortlessly conveyed affection on and off screen. 

No wonder this palpable kindness and goodness of character made him a perfect candidate to portray the thoughtful elderly figure in several films.

His shimmy

Image: Shammi Kapoor and Helen in Suku Suku song in Junglee

Without question, the Suku Suku star is one of the best dancers in the industry.

His freestyle moves and rhythmic pattern, responding flawlessly to any beat, burned quite a few floors providing an added incentive for his leading ladies if they failed to keep up.


Tags: Suku Suku

His gaze

Image: Shammi Kapoor and Sharmila Tagore in Evening in Paris

The Kapoors are known to top most 'Beautiful eyes' compilations by virtue of colour or soul.

But it is Shammi Kapoor's irresistible gaze, which melted the heroine into submission or the injured, moist-eyed appearance they wore on being wronged that we will never get over.

His songs

Image: Shammi Kapoor and Asha Parekh in Aaja Aaja

Upbeat, animated, graceful, Shammi Kapoor songs are an infectious extension of his personality.

Dil dekke dekho, Baar baar dekho, Tumsa nahi dekha, Badan pe sitare, Ehsaan tera hoga mujhpe, Govinda aala re, O haseena zulfonwali, Jab mohabbat jawan hoti hai, Raat ke humsafar, Aye gulbadan, Yeh chaand sa roshan chehra, Aaj kal tere mere pyaar ke charche, Dil ke jharoke mein, Meri bhains ko danda, Dil usse do jo... the list is endless.

His wooing

Image: Shammi Kapoor and Sharmila Tagore in Kashmir Ki Kali

Obviously, with so many attributes, Shammi Kapoor never had a bad day at romance. 

Not many could quite serenade a lady like with his brand of verve.

At times, he'd shower her with all his good manners and poetry.

On occasions, he'd resort to crazy antics to grab her reluctant attention.

Whatever he did, it worked like a, oh yes, charm.

His quirky style

Image: Shammi Kapoor
Note how the suave actor, without fail, lend his trendy fashion sense a touch of edgy. The variety of amusing headgear he wore in movies alone could provide enough pictures for a three-part slide show. Here's proof.


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His anecdotes

Image: Shammi Kapoor in Rockstar

Any Shammi Kapoor aficionado must be aware of how well-versed he was with the internet technology. He started a video blog called 'Shammi Kapoor Unplugged' courtesy Rajshri Media to share fond recollections and fascinating anecdotes.

Like how he inspired Amitabh Bachchan's Neela aasman (Silsila) while jamming with the actor on a folk song of a similar tune on the sets of Zameer or how he suffered from 11 sleepless nights as a 13-year-old after watching the stark, disturbing The Picture of Dorian Gray with his brother Raj Kapoor. 

His humour

Image: Shammi Kapoor in Bluffmaster

Part of Shammi Kapoor's allure was in his complete defiance for convention and proclivity for jesting. He was always doing his thing and, in the process, unwittingly setting up new forms of artistry considered too frivolous to be taken seriously back then.

Be it slipping into wacky get-ups, including a drag act in Bluffmaster, to goofy displays of spontaneity in a bid to persuade the heroine.


His Yahoo

Image: Shammi Kapoor in Junglee

But, most of all, we long for the sound of his Yahoo, one of the coolest and heartfelt declarations of unbridled joy made unforgettable by a man who made everything look so much fun.

We miss the cheer.

We miss Shammi Kapoor.