Shammi Kapoor is all about boisterousness and style. He ushered in an era that was full of flamboyance, energy and boyish charm. Indian cinema was modernized in the 1960s with Shammi Kapoor`s style of acting. Shammi Kapoor was born as Shamsher Raj Kapoor in 1931. He is the son of Prithviraj Kapoor and brother of Raj Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor.
Early Life of Shammi Kapoor
Shammi Kapoor is the son of the great Prithviraj Kapoor and Ramsharni Kapoor Mehra. He was born in Mumbai and was the second son of the three sons born to Prithviraj, the other two being Shashi Kapoor and Raj Kapoor, both of whom are successful actors. Though Shammi Kapoor was born in Mumbai but he spent most part of his life in Kolkata where his father was actively involved with New Theatres Studios. He did his Primary schooling in Kolkata and then went to Mumbai to complete his higher studies. In Mumbai he went to went to St. Joseph`s Convent (Wadala) and then, to Don Bosco School. He finished his matric schooling from New Era School at Hughes Road.
Though we were admitted to college but his stint as a college goer was rather small, as he joined his father`s theatrical company Prithvi Theatres. He made his Bollywood debut in the year 1953, when the film Jeevan Jyoti was released. It was directed by Mahesh Kaul and Chand Usmani was Kapoor`s first heroine.
Film Career of Shammi Kapoor
In his initial years he was associated with Prithvi Theatres. Shammi Kapoor did not face success in his early career in the Hindi films. In the 1950s although he worked with the popular directors and actresses his films did not do well. He had worked with actresses like Suraiya, Madhubala, Geeta Bali,Nalini Jaywant and Nutan.
In the late 1950s the romantic comedy Tumsa Nahin Dekha (1957) directed by Nasir Hussain completely changed his image. The film was a super hit which saw Shammi Kapoor`s lively image and the film were well supported by O P Nayyar`s music.
After this a string of films followed that complemented his new image. Dil Deke Dekho (1959) and Junglee (1961) were runaway hits and Shammi Kapoor was the new style icon. The film established Shammi Kapoor as a youth icon. Aided with the song, `Chahe Koi Mujhe Junglee Kahe`, the film won the hearts of the audience. Several new actresses debuted opposite him, such as, Sharmila Tagore, Saira Banu and Asha Parekh. In the swinging 60s Shammi Kapoor was often called the `Rebel Star` as he was quite different from the leading men of that age.
After Junglee films such as Dil Tera Deewana (1962), Professor (1962), Rajkumar (1964), Jaanwar (1965) Teesri Manzil (1966) and Brahmachari (1968) followed. The last him fetched Shammi Kapoor the Filmfare Award for Best Actor. He also acted in other hit movies like China Town, Kashmir Ki Kali, Bluff Master and many others. The handsome actor was famous for his dancing style. With time he moved to portraying character roles in movies like Zameer, Hero and Vidhaata. He was last seen in the 2011 film, Rockstar, which also stars Ranbir Kapoor.
Awards, nominations and other recognition for Shammi Kapoor
1962 - Filmfare Nomination as Best Actor--Professor
1968 - Filmfare Best Actor Award, Brahmachari
1982 - Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award, Vidhata
1995 - Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award
1998 - Kalakar Awards - Special Award for "contribution in Indian Cinema"
1999 - Zee Cine Award for Lifetime Achievement
2001 - Star Screen Lifetime Achievement Award
2001 - Anandalok Awards Lifetime Achievement Award
2002 - Invaluable Contribution to Indian Cinema at the IIFA.
2005 - Lifetime Achievement Award at the Bollywood Movie Awards
2008 - Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to Indian cinema at the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF).
2009 - Phalke Legend Actor Award by the Dadasaheb Phalke Academy
Recipient of the prestigious Living Legend Award by the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Indian entertainment industry.
Rashtriya Gaurav Award
Partial Filmograph of Shammi Kapoor
Jeevan Jyoti (1953)
Rail Ka Dibba (1953)
Thokar (1953)
Laila Majnu (1953)
Ladki (1953)
Gul Sanobar (1953)
Khoj (1953)
Shama Parwana (1954)
Mehbooba (1954)
Ehsan (1954)
Chor Bazar (1954)
Tangewali (1955)
Naqab (1955)
Miss Coca Cola (1955)
Daku (1955)
Sipahsalar (1956)
Rangeen Raatein (1956)
Memsahib (1956)
Hum Sab Chor Hain (1956)
Tumsa Nahin Dekha (1957)
Maharani (1957)
Coffee House (1957)
Mirza Sahiban (1957)
Mujrim (1958)
Dil Deke Dekho (1958)
Ujala (1959)
Raat ke Raahi (1959)
Mohar (1959)
Basant (1960)
College Girl (1960)
Singapore (1960)
Boyfriend (1961)
Junglee (1961)
Dil Tera Diwana (1962)
Professor (1962)
China Town (1962)
Bluff Master (1963)
Shahid Bhagat Singh (1963)
Jab Se Tumhe Dekha Hai (1963)
Pyar Kiya To Darna kya (1963)
Rajkumar (1964)
Kashmir Ki Kali (1964)
Janwar (1965)
Teesri Manzil (1966)
Preet Na Jaane Reet (1966)
Budtameez (1966)
An Evening in Paris (1967)
Laat Saheb (1967)
Brahmachari (1968)
Prince (1969)
Tum se Acchaa Kaun Hai (1969)
Sachchai (1969)
Pagla Kahin Ka (1970)
Andaz (1971)
Jawan Mohabbat (1971)
Jaane Anjane (1971)
Zameer (1973)
Manoranjan (1974)
Chhote Sarkar (1974)
Bundal Baaz (1976)
Parvarish (1977)
Shalimar (1978)
Meera (1979)
Professor Pyarelal (1981)
Rocky (1981)
Naseeb (1981)
Prem Rog (1982)
Vidhaata (1982)
Desh Premee (1982)
Hero (1983)
Betaab (1983)
Sohni Mahiwal (1984)
Hukumat (1987)
Ijaazat (1988)
Ajooba (1991)
Tahelka (1992)
Chamatkar (1992)
Aaja Meri Jaan (1993)
Sukham Sukhakaram (1994) (Malayalam)
Aur Pyar Ho Gaya (1996)
Kareeb (1998)
Jaanam Samjha Karo (1999)
East Is East (1999)
Yeh Hay Jalwa (2002)
Waah! Tera Kya Kehna (2002)
Bhola in Bollywood (2005)
Sandwich (2006)
Rockstar (2011)
Death of Shammi Kapoor
Shammi Kapoor died on 14th August 2011 due to chronic renal failure. He was aged 79 when he died. The entire Kapoor family was present to pay their last homage. A large part of Bollywood fraternity was also present at the last rights. Bollywood personalities Subhash Ghai, Amitabh Bachchan, Vinod Khanna, Shatrughan Sinha, Ramesh Sippy, Danny Denzongpa, Saif Ali Khan, Govinda, Prem Chopra, Anil Kapoor, Aamir Khan, Kabir Bedi, Shahrukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra were among those who were present at the funeral.
