The actor who ruled the late 1950s and 1960s with his unique style and versatile range was on dialysis for the last few years and was undergoing treatment.
The actor, who made his debut in Bollywood in 1953, when the film ‘Jeevan Jyoti’ was released, carved out a niche for himself with the super hit Junglee in 1961.
His new image took ground and his subsequent films were all in this genre later.
Kapoor, hailed as ‘Elvis Presley of India’, joined the silver screen at a time when his elder brother Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand and Dilip Kumar were the reigning trio.
Born Shamsher Raj Kapoor on 21st October 1931, Kapoor was the second son of veteran theatre and film actor Prithviraj Kapoor.
Despite his family background, Shammi’s entry into Bollywood was initially not successful even though he worked with major heroines like Madhubala in ‘Rail ka Dibba’, Suraiya in ‘Shama Parwana’ and Nalini Jaywant in ‘Hum Sab Chor Hai’.
His initial movies flopped at the Box Office. He reinvented himself with ‘Tumsa Nahi Dekha’ cutting his hair in the famous duck-tail style of the 50s and never looked back since then.
With the success of Junglee in 1961, an entire decade reeled under its colourful impact.
Shammi heralded the swinging 60s and a large part of his appeal was primarily due to the immensely catchy and upbeat numbers like ‘Suku Suku’, ‘O Haseena Zulfo Wali’, ‘Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche’, ‘Aaja Aaja Main Hoon Pyar Tera’ where he was at his boisterous best.
Even though success came with light weight tales like ‘Kashmir Ki Kali’, ‘Rajkumar’, ‘Jaanwar’ and ‘An Evening in Paris’, his performances in flicks like ‘Junglee’, ‘Badtameez’, ‘Bluff Master’, ‘Pagla Kahin Ka’, ‘Teesri Manzil’, ‘Brahmachari’ silenced his critics.
‘Andaz’, which released in 1971, was his last movie as a leading man but his character roles in ‘Vidhata’, ‘Hero’ and ‘Prem Rog’ were well received.
Shammi was a computer aficionado and his last years were veered towards spiritualism.
PM condole Shammi Kapoor’s death
The Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh has condoled the death of noted film personality Shammi Kapoor. In his condolence message, Dr. Singh said that he was sad to learn about his demise. He described Kapoor an accomplished actor who entertained millions and millions of fans in India and abroad. In her condolence message, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni described Shammi Kapoor a legend and said he himself found a very special niche in the Mumbai Film Industry.
Bollywood too mourned an icon’s death. Yester year’s actress Sharmila Tagore who has worked with Shammi Kapoor in films like ‘Kashmir Ki Kali’, describes him as a ‘live wire’ who is full of life. Lyricist and writer Javed Akhtar described him as the gem of the industry that can never be replaced. Film maker Mahesh Bhatt said that Kapoor was an amazing man with unimaginable vitality . Megastar Amitabh Bachchan called Shammi Kapoor the most flamboyant star.
Signing legend Lata Mangeshkar remembered Shammi Kapoor as a courageous and lively person . Tamil superstar Rajinikanth said that Shammi will always remain in his heart.
Shammi Kapoor’s last rites to be performed on Monday
The funeral of Bollywood actor Shammi Kapoor will take place on Monday, according to his family.
The actor passed away in Mumbai on Sunday morning. The funeral will take place at 11 am at Banganga in south Mumbai, after his grandson returns from the US.
Family members, friends, several Bollywood personalities including Amitabh Bachchan and industrialist Anil Ambani visited the Kapoor’s residence Blue Heaven at Malabar Hill this morning, after learning of his demise.