Candid Confessions

Kapoor’s voice still retains its youthfulness. So does his spirit. But the actor confesses that such positive thinking has not always been in his character. “Life teaches you many things. It’s only after my illness that I have come to enjoy life to the fullest,” says the actor. His lively attitude is obvious as he speaks about the web link Shammi Kapoor Unplugged. Every Monday,it posts three-minute episodes,produced by Rajshri Media,in which the actor talks about his life and shares anecdotes.

“Every week,Rajjat Bharjatya (CEO of Rajshri Media) gives me a list of topics to choose from. These topics are mostly about my co-stars like Madhubala and Nutan. I strike out each of them as I don’t want to be beaten up by my wife,” jokes Kapoor,bringing a smile to his wife Neela’s face. Nonetheless,he goes on to mention Nutan as “finest” of his co-stars and Madhubala as the “prettiest”. He remembers his first wife and actor Geeta Bali as the most “versatile”.

Humour seems to be a constant for the 79-year-old who has delivered movies like Dil Deke Dekho,Junglee,Bluff Master and Teesri Manzil. In fact,most of his responses are laced with humour and bring out his characteristic candour. For instance,when he is asked why he never directed another film after the two “superhits” Manoranjan and Bandalbaaz,he clarifies: “Neither you nor I should have the misconception that these films were hits.”

The other constant in Kapoor’s life has been his love for technology. He was adept at the functioning of the internet—thanks to eWorld offered by Apple — much before it made inroads to India. So it is natural that the founder and hairman of Internet Users Community of India will be reconnecting with his fans on Twitter and through Shammi Kapoor Unplugged,which is also available as mobile phone content. It already features segments like how his friend Afzal,who moved to Pakistan during the Partition,sent him an e-mail after 50 years and how this hardcore smoker kicked the butt on his daughter’s birthday on August 8,1988.

Though the actor has retired from active film career decades ago,he still inspires many with his inimitable dancing style and acting. However,about his own inspiration,he says,“Shammi Kapoor has been my inspiration.All my dance sequences have been extempore. For the Ai ai aa karoon main kyaa suku suku in Junglee,I told PL Raj to choreographe Helen’s moves first so I could dance accordingly.” This doesn’t stop him from complimenting the new crop of dancer-actors. “They are much better than me. Shah Rukh Khan,Hrithik Roshan and others are following their style,like I did mine,” he adds. Kapoor still watches the latest releases at home. And 3-D lured him to the theatre recently. “I watched Avatar at Inox,” he lets out. He finds the recent Bollywood movies “different” and praises the technological advancements. But he has only one grouse. “Where has the melody gone?”

Considering that Kapoor has had such an eventful career,requests to write an autobiography abound. But the actor has been resisting it firmly. “Since I can’t talk about all the wicked things I have done,what’s the point of writing an autobiography?” he laughs.