Sweet memories of Shammi Kapoor.

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A few days ago, I was watching a Shammi Kapoor starred Hindi movie called ‘Junglee’ which was the debut film of Saira Banu and several memories of this Bollywood’s dashing and swashbuckling legend jostled for space in my memory. I have never met him personally but I always had a great regard for him and I was a great fan of him. Hailing from the famous Kapoor family of Indian Film Industry, Shammi created his own niche in the industry with his distinctive style of acting and dancing. His dances will forever be associated with Mohammed Rafi, a musical genius of the highest order. Kapoor innovated constantly to give the best to his audience till his very end. Actresses like Sharmila Tagore, Saira Banu, Asha Parekh got recognition in the industry after acting with him. He was hailed as the Elvis Presley in India. Rafi and Kapoor seemed to have been made for each other. Shammi Kapoor was the first computer-savvy actor in the Hindi Film Industry who took to computers and understood them thoroughly when most others would not have even known the new meaning of ‘windows’ or ‘virus’. He was extremely well-spoken and the only time one saw tears in his eyes was when he would talk about Geeta Bali, his first wife and the mother of his two kids. She died tragically young, of small pox in January, 1967. He often confessed that he tried his sorrows in alcohol and affairs but he was pulled out of his misery by his second wife Neela Devi. His quest for spiritualism led him to a sober innings and towards the end of life, the only thing that excited him was technology. It is true that Shammi Kapoor is no more among us but his inimitable dance moves and his ‘yahooisms’ throughout his life will remain fresh in our minds for ever.