Shammi Kapoor Biography, Shammi Kapoor originally named Shamsher Raj Kapoor was a prominent Indian actor celebrated for his contributions to Hindi cinema. Regarded as a pinnacle figure in Indian film history, Kapoor’s illustrious career spanned over five decades, during which he graced the screen in more than 100 films. His exceptional talent earned him acclaim and recognition, including three prestigious Filmfare Awards, among them, one for Best Actor.
Shammi Kapoor Biography
Bio/Wiki | |
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Full Name | Shamsher Raj Kapoor |
Nickname | Elvis Presley of India |
Professions | Actor and Director |
Famous For | Romcoms, supporting actor, dancing hero |
Physical Stats & More | |
Height (approx.) | in centimeters– 180 cm in meters– 1.80 m in feet inches– 5’ 11” |
Weight (approx.) | in kilograms– 80 kg in pounds– 176 lbs |
Eye Colour | Brown |
Hair Colour | Black |
Personal Life | |
Date of Birth | 21 October 1931 |
Birthplace | Mumbai, Maharashtra |
Date of Death | 14 August 2011 |
Place of Death | Mumbai |
Age (at the time of death) | 80 Years |
Death Cause | Chronic kidney disease |
Zodiac sign/Sun sign | Libra |
Nationality | Indian |
Hometown | Kolkata (India) |
Schools | St. Joseph’s Convent, Don Bosco New Era School (Mumbai) |
College/University | Not Known |
Educational Qualification | Matric |
Debut | Film: Jeevan Jyoti (directed by Mahesh Kaul) (1953) TV: Shikast (Sony TV) (1996) |
Religion | Hinduism |
Caste | Punjabi Kshatriya |
Food Habit | Non-Vegetarian |
Address | Mumbai, Maharashtra |
Hobbies | Playing musical instruments |
Awards/Honours | 1968 : Filmfare for Best Actor (Brahmachari) 1982 : Filmfare for Best Supporting Actor (Vidhata) 1995 : Filmfare Lifetime Achievement 1998 : Kalakar for contribution in Indian Cinema 1999 : Zee Cine for Lifetime Achievement 2001 : Star Screen Lifetime Achievement 2001 : Anandalok Lifetime Achievement 2002 : IIFA for invaluable contribution to the Indian cinema 2005 : Lifetime Achievement 2008 : Lifetime Achievement Rashtriya Gaurav and Living Legend |
Girls, Affairs and More | |
Marital Status | Married |
Affairs/Girlfriends | Nadia Gamal Bina Ramani Mumtaz |
Marriage Dates | 1955 and 1969 |
Family | |
Wife/Spouse | First Wife: Geeta Bali (1955-1965) Second Wife: Neela Devi Gohil (1969) |
Children | Son– Aditya Raj Kapoor (born-1956) (businessman) Daughter– Kanchan Desai (born-1961) (married to Ketan Desai, son of the Indian producer and director Lt. Manmohan Desai) |
Parents | Father– Prithviraj Kapoor (director, producer and actor) (1906-1972) Mother– Ramsarni Devi Kapoor (1908-1972) |
Siblings | Brothers– Raj Kapoor (Indian actor and director) (1924-1988) Shashi Kapoor (Indian actor) (1938-2017) Nandi Kapoor (died-1931), Devi Kapoor (died-1931) Sister– Urmila Sial Kapoor |
Favourite Things | |
Favourite Food | French Haute Cuisine |
Favourite Actor | Amitabh Bachchan |
Favourite Actresses | Rajshree, Sharmila Tagore, and Asha Parekh |
Favourite Film | Tumsa Nahi Dekha (1957) |
Favourite Musicians | Shankar–Jaikishan and OP Nayyar |
Favourite Singer | Mohammad Rafi |
Style Quotient | |
Cars Collection | Buick Super, Desoto, Belair, Impala, Chevy Intercontinental Convertible, Ford Thunderbird, Sunbeam Alpine, Malibu, Buick BMY 3009 |
Bike Collection | Triumph |
Shammi Kapoor Early life and family
Shamsher Raj Kapoor, known as Shammi Kapoor, entered the world in Bombay (now Mumbai) to Prithviraj Kapoor and Ramsharni Mehra Kapoor. Among Prithviraj’s three sons, Shammi was the middle child, with Raj Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor as his siblings, both renowned figures in Hindi cinema. Trilok Kapoor, the actor, was his uncle, while Surinder Kapoor, the producer and filmmaker, was his father’s first cousin. His family ties extended to Juggal Kishore Mehra, a singer, whose granddaughter is the famed actress-singer Salma Agha. Shammi’s nephews include actors Randhir and Rishi Kapoor, while his grandnephew is actor Ranbir Kapoor, and his grandnieces are actresses Karisma and Kareena Kapoor.
Despite his birth in Mumbai, Shammi spent a significant part of his early years in Calcutta (now Kolkata) due to his father’s engagements with New Theatres Studios. He received his Montessori education and Kindergarten schooling in Kolkata before returning to Bombay. There, he attended St. Joseph’s Convent (Wadala) and later Don Bosco School, concluding his matriculation at New Era School located at Hughes Road.
Shammi Kapoor Some Lesser Known Facts About
- Was Shammi Kapoor a smoker? Yes, Shammi Kapoor smoked.
- Did Shammi Kapoor consume alcohol? Yes, he did.
- He hailed from a Pathan Hindu family.
- In 1930, Shammi Kapoor’s father, Prithviraj Kapoor, ventured to Bombay to pursue a career in the film industry.
- Tragedy struck in 1931 when Shammi Kapoor lost his brother Devi to pneumonia, and another brother, Nandi, succumbed to poisoning (rat pills) scattered in the garden.
- Starting in 1948, Shammi Kapoor spent over four years as a junior artist in his father Prithviraj Kapoor’s theatrical company, earning a monthly salary of ₹50.
- During the filming of the movie ‘Rangeen Raaten’ in 1955, Shammi Kapoor crossed paths with his future wife, Geeta Bali. Unfortunately, Geeta Bali passed away in 1965 due to smallpox.
- In 1968, while filming ‘Brahmachari,’ Shammi Kapoor developed feelings for Indian film actress Mumtaz and proposed marriage. However, she politely declined his proposal as he requested her to abandon her film career.
Shammi Kapoor Career
Shammi Kapoor made his entry into Hindi cinema in 1953 with the film “Jeewan Jyoti,” which featured Shashikala and Leela Mishra. Initially, Kapoor’s career faced challenges in the early 1950s as he often played supporting roles alongside established actresses in movies focused on women. He appeared alongside Madhubala in “Rail Ka Dibba” (1953) and “Naqab” (1955), with Nutan in “Laila Majnu,” with Shyama in “Thokar,” and with Nalini Jaywant in “Hum Sab Chor Hain” and “Mehbooba.”
He also starred with Suraiya in “Shama Parwana” (1954), Meena Kumari in the comedy “Mem Sahib” (1956), and in thrillers like “Chor Bazar” (1954), as well as the tragic love story “Mirza Sahiban” (1957) opposite Shyama. Despite his efforts, between 1953 and 1957, none of his films gained him widespread recognition.
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