‘He was filled with such joie de vivre’
Shammi Kapoor was irrepressible,and utter fun to work with.
There are so many vivid memories of working with Shammiji. He was my first ever co-star — I gave my first shot for a Hindi film with him. It was for Kashmir Ki Kali in 1964. We were shooting the song “Deewana Hua Badal” at the Dal lake. I was so new to the commercial Hindi film framework,and there was Shammi Kapoor in all his glory,serenading me on screen. I remember,during the shooting of the song “Tareef Karun Kya Uski Jisne Tumhe Banaya”,while doing my eye make-up,the eye pencil hurt my eye and it turned blood red. Shammiji joked to the director,Shakti (Samantha),“Change the lyrics. We can’t have the words,Yeh Jheel Si Neeli Aankhen… We should make it Yeh Lal Khoon Si Aankhen or something.”
That was Shammi Kapoor — always ready with a quip,a funny comment and a joke. He used to call me by my nickname,Rinku. Throughout the movie,he would joke that while I was “Kashmir Ki Kali”,he was “Kashmir Ka Kaddu”. Working with him was a party because he would always make us laugh. He was driven by spontaneity. In the song “Tareef Karun Kya Uski Jisne Tumhe Banaya”,he jumped into the Dal lake. That was not even in the script. I was shocked and so was Shakti. But Shammi just went ahead and did it because he was enjoying himself so much. He would give it all to his films,and of course,the songs. He had the reputation of a singing-dancing star and his style in songs,especially during the romantic numbers,was unparalleled.
When we were shooting the song “Aasman Se Aaya Farishta” for An Evening in Paris,he wore a towelling robe and hung with one hand from a moving helicopter. Who else could have done that? Never to let an experience pass him by,he decided to jump into a moving boat from the helicopter. Shakti wanted a stuntman to do the shot,but Shammi refused. He was filled with such joie de vivre that he wanted it to translate on screen. He was always game to try something new,to add that little touch to a song that would make it memorable. His fans loved that about him. For the song,“Raat Ke Humsafar”,which is one of the most romantic songs of my career,we shot all night in Paris. He had a tireless energy and it was always wonderful to work with him.
I was very fond of him and off the sets had lovely conversations with him about life and literature. Once we were talking about books and he learnt that I hadn’t yet read The Fountainhead. The very next day,he gifted me Ayn Rand’s book and once I read it,we discussed it at length. Our discussions ranged from stories of travel to Bertrand Russell. He lived a complete life and would happily share his experiences. I cherished our conversations and his wisdom.
I met him last a few months back during the screening of An Evening in Paris. My daughter Soha had accompanied me to the screening and he spent a considerable time chatting with her about her career. She was so happy to meet him and even took a picture with him. Just the other day,she mentioned that she’s glad to have taken that picture because it’s a memory she wants to cherish.
I was supposed to meet him next month. Jyoti Suri of the Lalit Group was organising a trip to Srinagar in the first week of September at the Palace Hotel,where we stayed during Kashmir Ki Kali. I was so looking forward to catching up with him. I knew that he went for dialysis for three days a week but I was sure that even if he had daily dialysis,he’ll make it. That’s the kind of man he was. He lived to the fullest. He was constantly engaged with life and never let his illness get in the way of his enjoyment. I’d also credit his wonderful wife,Neela,for his style of living. She was always so indulgent and never stopped him from doing what he wanted. If I were in her position and my husband was ill,I would tell him not to go out of the house,but she never imposed on her husband and respected his energy and his way of life.
I still can’t believe that he’s passed away. Actually,the word “death” cannot be used in connection with Shammi Kapoor. He was so full of life. It’ll be an insult to use that word. He lived a complete life and I’m so glad that he touched my life. I’ll miss him.
(As told to Harneet Singh)
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