Shammi Kapoor: Entertainer Par Excellence

Its my misfortune that I couldn't meet Shammi Kapoor sahab in person. We covered the music launch of 'Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na' outside his residence where Aamir and Imran spoke to the media but only one video cameraman was allowed inside Shammi ji's house to capture his interaction with the JTYJN team. Well, I grew up on the Sunday evening movie excitement of Doordarshan in the nineteen eightees where I saw many of Shammi ji's famous films like 'Kashmir Ki Kali', 'Professor', 'Teesri Manzil', 'Brahmchari', 'Dil Deke Dekho', 'Janwar', 'Rajkumar' etc.

Shammi Kapoor was an entertainer par excellence. He will be remembered for his style and the aura that he commanded. In the 1960s he delivered several hits and was in the driver's seat as far as deciding the key players of a film starring him. I read a book on R D Burman recently and how Kapoor decided to back him after seeing the young composer's enthusiasm. 'Teesri Manzil' happened and the music of that film is one of the biggest highpoint of Shammi's career as an entertainer.

His home in a housing society at Malabar Hills in Mumbai has been buzzing with activity after his demise today morning at 5:15 am. Aamir Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Subhash Ghai, Jaya Bachchan, Imran Khan, Rishi Kapoor, Randhir Kapoor, Tanuja, Vinod Khanna, Bobby Deol, Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor and many other Bollywood celebrities and other eminent people from various walks of life have visited Kapoor's house since morning. His last rites will be performed tomorrow August 15 at Baandhganga in Bombay between 11 am-12 Noon.

This is what a few of the Bollywood celebrities said about Shammi Kapoor

Amitabh Bachchan: 'Shammi ji ... An entire life full of optimism and happy spirit, caring loving to all ... Now suddenly silent.'

Priyanka Chopra tweeted: 'sometimes no amount of kind words can compensate for a loss! bhole baba ki jai shammi maharajji.. he was our guruji..im at a loss.. nothing will ever fill the void u have left @shamsheraj . im sorry i didnt try RESSEE.. but wil do.. only for u.. R.I.P'

Mahesh Bhatt tweeted: 'The narrative of Shammi Kapoor will not end with his passing away. His movies will continue to enchant the future generations!'

Shabana Azmi received the sad news at Brussels airport. 'At brussels airport learned d sad news about shammi kapoorji.we mourn the loss of d most zinda dil man I've ever met. condolence to d family,' she wrote.

Farhan Akhtar tweeted: 'Mr. Shammi Kapoor. Never before - Never again. Thank you for the wonderful cinematic memories and life lessons. RIP.'

Deepika Padukone will miss the veteran too: 'He was an inspiration not just for his style and the films he did,but also his attitude towards life...we will miss you Shammi uncle...#RIP.'

Dia Mirza tweeted: 'The happiest, caring, kind and considerate man...You leave with us memories that are precious... @shamsheraj RIP Shammi Kapoor love u forever.'

Shekhar Kapur tweeted. 'The great iconic Shammi Kapoor who defined an era n influenced music, dance n song even today has passed away, leaving a hollow vioid,' he updated.

Karan Johar said he was one of the strongest men he knew. 'One of finest and strongest men I knew...we will truly miss you shammi uncle....RIP,' he tweeted.

Manoj Bajpayee tweeted: 'May god bless shammiji's soul.may he rest in peace!ian era comes to an end with his demise!'

Neha Dhupia tweeted: 'RIP Shammi kapoor ji ... Ur magic will always be remembered !'

Minissha Lamba was saddened by the news. 'Deeply saddened by the news of @shamsheraj sir's demise, No1 in d fraternity can ever fit in your shoes. You will be missed, sir. R.I.P.' she wrote.

A few of the films starring Shammi Kapoor

Jeevan Jyoti (1953)
Rail Ka Dibba (1953)
Thokar (1953)
Laila Majnu (1953) Nutan
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) Mala Sinha
Memsahib (1956)
Hum Sab Chor Hain (1956)
Tumsa Nahin Dekha (1957 film) Ameeta
Maharani (1957)
Coffee House (1957)
Mirza Sahiban (1957)
Mujrim (1958)
Dil Deke Dekho (1958) Asha Parekh
Ujala (1959) Mala Sinha
Raat ke Raahi (1959)
Mohar (1959)
Basant (1960)
College Girl (1960) Vyjayanthimala
Singapore (1960) Padmini
Boyfriend (1961)
Junglee (1961) Saira Banu
Dil Tera Diwana (1962) Mala Sinha
Professor (1962) Kalpana
China Town (1962) Shakeela/Helen
Bluff Master (1963)
Shahid Bhagat Singh (1963)
Jab Se Tumhe Dekha Hai (1963)
Pyar Kiya To Darna kya (1963)
Rajkumar (1964) Sadhana
Kashmir Ki Kali (1964) Sharmila Tagore
Janwar (1965) Rajashri
Teesri Manzil (1966) Anil Kumar
Preet Na Jaane Reet (1966)
Budtameez (1966)
An Evening in Paris (1967) Sharmila Tagore
Laat Saheb (1967) Nutan
Brahmachari (1968) Rajashri
Prince (1969) Vyjayanthimala
Tum se Acchaa Kaun Hai (1969) Babita
Sachchai (1969) Sadhana
Pagla Kahin Ka (1970) Asha Parekh/Helen
Andaz (1971) Hema Malini/Simi
Jawan Mohabbat (1971) Asha Parekh
Jaane Anjane (1971) Leena Chandavarkar
Parvarish (1973)
Zameer (1973)
Manoranjan (1974) Zeenat Aman
Chhote Sarkar (1974) Sadhana
Shalimar (1978)
Meera (1979) .... Raja Vikramjeet Singh Sesodia
Professor Pyarelal (1981)
Rocky (1981)
Naseeb (1981)
Prem Rog (1982) Sushma Seth
Vidhaata (1982)
Desh Premee (1982)
Hero (1983) Urmila Bhat
Betaab (1983)
Sohni Mahiwal (1984)
Hukumat (1987)
Ijaazat (1988)
Ajooba (1991)
Tahelka (1992)
Chamatkar (1992)
Sukham Sukhakaram (1994) (Malayalam)
Aur Pyar Ho Gaya (1996) Shammi
Kareeb (1998)
Jaanam Samjha Karo (1999)
East Is East (1999)
Yeh Hay Jalwa
Waah! Tera Kya Kehna (2002)
Bhola in Bollywood (2005)
Sandwich (2006)
Rockstar (film) (2011)

A very interesting video interview of Shammi Kapoor

http://www.youtube.com/user/shammiweb

Infectious energy of Shammi Kapoor will continue to live on. So many have already said it, but here's saying it once again, 'Yahoo'!