Remembering Shammi Kapoor on his death anniversary with these unseen photos

Shammi Kapoor was often referred to as the Indian Elvis Presley by fans. He died on August 14, 2011, due to chronic renal failure. Here are some of his unseen pictures with some interesting facts

Updated On: 2024-08-14 03:13 PM IST

Compiled by : Oshin Fernandes

Photos of Shammi Kapoor Pics/X, Instagram, Facebook

Born as Shamsher Raj Kapoor, he was the son of legendary actor-filmmaker Prithviraj Kapoor and Ramsarni Kapoor. He died on August 14, 2011, due to chronic renal failure. 

Shammi marked his Bollywood debut with the 1953 film 'Jeevan Jyoti' and was later on seen in several hit films like 'Junglee', 'Kashmir Ki Kali', 'Brahmachari', 'An Evening in Paris', 'Teesri Manzil' and many more.

Throughout his career, he ruled the hearts of the fans with his electrifying dance moves, and charming looks and enjoyed a massive fan following.

Kapoor got married to Geeta Bali in secret. Reportedly, Shammi was afraid that his parents would never accept Bali as she was older than him. 

They got married in a temple in 1955, and the ceremony was not attended by any of their family members. When they realised that in the rush they had forgotten to arrange for vermilion (sindoor), Kapoor used Bali's lipstick instead.

Shammi Kapoor was often referred to as the Indian Elvis Presley by fans. Kapoor's famous look was planned by Bali. 

Geeta got him to shave off his moustache, wear Western clothes and get an Elvis Presley-like hairstyle.

Shammi Kapoor's last film was Imtiaz Ali's Rockstar. Kapoor's family was overwhelmed by the importance given to the legendary star in the film that starred his nephew Rishi Kapoor's son Ranbir.

Shammi Kapoor's son Aditya Raj Kapoor had revealed that his father shot for Rockstar under great physical pain. 

One of the last plays that Prithvi Theatre did was Ramanand Sagar's Kalakar, in which Shammi Kapoor played a negative character who seduces the heroine of the play. 

Producer S Mukherjee of Filmistan Studio, director Nasir Hussain, and music composer OP Nayyar were thoroughly impressed with Shammi Kapoor's performance and signed him on for ‘Tumsa Nahin Dekha’.

Acting and theatre were always a priority for the family. Here's an interesting incident when Shammi Kapoor was in school. Shammi would appear on stage in Shakuntala (in the role of Bharat) at night and be groggy in class the next day. 

The principal sent a note asking to see his father. Prithviraj Kapoor was busy so Raj Kapoor went instead. The principal said the child had to choose between studies and stage.

Without missing a beat, Raj Kapoor asked his kid brother to fetch his bag and left the school. 

Shammi was then admitted to New Era School, from where ultimately he did his matriculation. 

He took up science in college (Ruia College, Mumbai), hoping to become an Aeronautical Engineer.

Fond of the outdoor life, Shammi Kapoor also applied for a job at a tea estate in Assam. 

Fortunately, he changed his mind, dropped out of college, and followed in the footsteps of his father and brother.

Shammi Kapoor, like his brothers Raj and Shashi, was not raised like a privileged star kid. Their father's theatre troupe used to travel in second-class compartments, camp at ordinary lodgings, sleep on the floor, and eat the same food that the backstage workers ate.

Shammi Kapoor, the legendary superstar, is truly missed!

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