PremiumRemembering Shammi Kapoor: Here are some lesser-known facts about the legendary actor
Dropout from college to work as a junior artist: Check out lesser-known facts about Shammi Kapoor on his birth anniversary
Check out lesser-known facts about Shammi Kapoor on his birth anniversary
Shammi Kapoor is widely remembered for his dance moves, which earned him the nickname of ‘Elvis Presley of India’. Born into an influential family of actors, he began his career as a junior artiste, before becoming a leading man. He had a tumultuous love life, and breathed his last on August 14, 2011, after a kidney failure. On the occasion of his birth anniversary, here are some lesser-known facts about the legendary actor.
Last Updated: 04.41 PM, Oct 21, 2022
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His birth name is Shamsher Raj Kapoor
Shammi was born on October 21, 1934, as Shamsher Raj Kapoor to, actor father Prithviraj Kapoor and mother Ramsharni Kapoor. He was the middle child of the family, after elder son Raj Kapoor and youngest Shashi Kapoor, who are also legends. As his father was with the New Theatres Studios, Shammi spent a major chunk of his childhood in Kolkata.
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He studied in Kolkata and Mumbai
Shammi’s early schooling years were in Kolkata, where he attended Montessori and Kindergarten schools. After a few years, the family shifted to Mumbai, where Shammi attended at St. Joseph's Convent. He later shifted to Don Bosco School. He then enrolled in Ramnarain Ruia College, Mumbai, but it was to be a short stint as he soon joined his father’s theatre company.
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He debuted as a leading man after being a junior artiste for 5 year
After leaving college, he joined Prithvi Theatre in 1948 as a junior artiste. Shammi made his debut as a leading man five years later, with the 1953 film, Jeevan Jyoti, alongside Chand Usmani. Helmed by Mahesh Kaul, the film is a suspense-thriller featuring Shammi as Shekhar, who marries Laxmi (Chand) when she gets betrayed by her groom.
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He had a tumultuous love life
Shammi married co-actor Geeta Bali in 1955, whom he met on the sets of Rangeen Raaten, in which she had a cameo. The couple got married just four months later, and welcomed their son, Aditya Raj Kapoor, in 1956, and daughter Kanchan in 1961. When Geeta died of smallpox in 1965, he married Neila Devi. He is reported to have had love affairs with actress Mumtaz and socialite Bina Ramani also.
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He founded the Internet Users Community of India
Shammi was tech-savvy and was way ahead of his time. The actor was the founder and chairman of Internet Users Community of India (IUCI) and played a key role in establishing internet organisations like the Ethical Hackers Association. He is also reported to have maintained a website dedicated to the Kapoor family, constantly updating information about the family members.
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The actor succumbed to kidney failure
Shammi breathed his last aged 79, on August 14, 2011, as a result of chronic kidney failure. The actor reportedly suffered a lot in his last days and was put on ventilator support. The entire Kapoor clan was present to pay him their last respects.
Last Updated: 04.41 PM, Oct 21, 2022