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 younger brother of Raj 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 superhit which saw Shammi Kapoor in a new avatar with clean shaven look and a new haircut. His new lively image and the film were well supported by O.P. Nayyar`s music. Songs, such as, Humne Laakh Haseen Dekhein Hain, Chupnewaale Saamne Aa, Dekho Kasam Se and Aayein Hain Doorse Milne Huzoorse. Tumsa Nahin Dekha established Shammi Kapoor as an undisputable star.
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. 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. The film, Junglee, established Shammi Kapoor as a youth icon. Aided with such songs as `Chahe Koi Mujhe Junglee Kahe` the film won the hearts of the audience. The `Rebel Star` screamed Yahoo on screen and the audience loved it. This peppy number is still one of the most loved songs of Indian cinema.
After Junglee films, such as, like 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. This handsome actor was famous for his dancing style. While a lot of people believed that he was inspired from Elvis Presley the legendary actor himself confessed that it was his own way of dancing because he does not know how to dance!
The other popular films of Shammi Kapoor are as follows:
| Jeevan Jyoti (1953) |
Miss Coca Cola (1955) |
Singapore (1960) |
An Evening in Paris (1967) |
Betaab (1983) |
| Rail Ka Dibba (1953) |
Daku (1955) |
Boyfriend (1961) |
Brahmachari (1968) |
Sohni Mahiwal (1984) |
| Thokar (1953) |
Sipahsalar (1956) |
Junglee (1961) |
Prince (1969) |
Ajooba (1991) |
| Laila Majnu (1953) |
Rangeen Raatein (1956) |
Dil Tera Diwana (1962) |
Andaz (1971) |
Chamatkar (1992) |
| Ladki (1953) |
Memsahib (1956) |
Professor (1962) |
Manoranjan (1974) |
Aur Pyar Ho Gaya (1996) |
| Gul Sanobar (1953) |
Hum Sab Chor Hain (1956) |
China Town (1962) |
Chhote Sarkar (1974) |
Kareeb (1998) |
| Shama Parwana (1954) |
Tumsa Nahin Dekha (1957) |
Bluff Master (1963) |
Rocky (1981) |
Jaanam Samjha Karo (1999) |
| Mehbooba (1954) |
Mujrim (1958) |
Rajkumar (1964) |
Naseeb (1981) |
East Is East (1999) |
| Ehsan (1954) |
Dil Deke Dekho (1958) |
Kashmir Ki Kali (1964) |
Prem Rog (1982) |
Yeh Hay Jalwa |
| Chor Bazar (1954) |
Ujala (1959) |
Janwar (1965) |
Vidhaata (1982) |
Waah! Tera Kya Kehna (2002) |
| Tangewali (1955) |
Basant (1960) |
Teesri Manzil (1966) |
Desh Premee (1982) |
Bhola in Bollywood (2005) |
| Naqab (1955) |
College Girl (1960) |
Budtameez (1966) |
Hero (1983) |
Sandwich (2006) |
