When Madhubala was so fascinated by Shammi Kapoor's dance, she forgot to Act

 

Shammi Kapoor and Madhubala acted in 3 films together. It was in their third film 'Boy Friend' released in 1961, there was a song to be picturized on Shammi Kapoor and Madhubala. The situation of the song was that Madhubala is sleeping and Shammi Kapoor has to sing a song. She was supposed to be asleep in the sequence but she couldn't close her eyes, she was so fascinated by the style of steps Shammi Kapoor taking. The Director picturized the song as she would keep one eye open as he serenaded her.

This happened during the picturization of the song 'Dheere Chal Dheere Chal Aye Bheegi Hawa' from 'Boy Friend'. This film song was shot after the success of Yahoo song and Shammi Kapoor was a superstar now. This film was the twentieth highest-grossing Indian film of 1961.

Song of Boy Friend 1961

Boy Friend was produced and directed by Naresh Saigal. The film stars Madhubala, Shammi Kapoor and Dharmendra. The film's music was by Shankar Jaikishan.It was a remake of the first blockbuster film of India 'Kismet' released in 1943 starring Ashok Kumar.

A Still from  Rail Ka Dibba 1953

Shammi Kapoor and Madhubala came together in Rail Ka Dibba released in 1953. Though Shammi had signed on Jeevan Jyoti first, P N Arora's Rail Ka Dibba had gone on the floor ahead of it, as if it was ordained that his career should start with Madhubala. Before this  Shammi had signed was his friend Aspi Irani's Hum Tum Aur Woh opposite Madhubala. But that film didn't go beyond the opening shot.

After Rail Ka Dibba both worked together in Lekhraj Bhakri's Naqab (1955), this film also was not successful. In fact, Shammi Kapoor became a star in 1957 with the hit film 'Tumsa Nahin Dekha'

A Still from Naqab 1955

After Junglee Shammi Kapoor became a star and gave many hits after this film.It definitely not one of his best movies either but entertaining enough to keep one glued to his/her seat esp if you are a Shammi Kapoor fan.

Songs of Boy Friend 1961

Songs of Boy Friend 1961

50 Years of 'Andaz'

 

This Superhit film was released on 30th April 1971. It was the last movie of Shammi Kapoor as a romantic hero. It was the last movie of the great Shankar-Jaikishan duo. Soon after Jaikishan died of liver cirrhosis, he was only 42.It was the first movie of Ramesh Sippy as Director and also the first script of Salim Javed, 

The film is about a widower(Shammi Kapoor) who has a kid from his now-dead wife(Simi Grewal) and a young widow(Hema Malini) who has a young son from her now-dead lover(Rajesh Khanna) and how their lives meet and end up in romance.

This was the golden age of Rajesh Khanna, whatever the superstar touched it turned into gold. Here also in 15 minutes guest appearances stole the show. He appears on screen for only a few minutes with the famous Kishore Kumar yodel “Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana” and a couple of other scenes.

The story is a formula-based one but the skilfully written screenplay is able to entertain the viewers throughout. This was the first signal of a great script and screenplay writer of Bollywood in making. Their first film as an independent screenplay writer was to release soon and to be the top-grossing film of 1971. 

It was the last movie of Shammi Kapoor as a romantic hero and his role demanded maturity not only on the face but also in performance. And Shammi Kapoor has done it perfectly. Nowhere is he over the top and portrayed the widower and an affectionate father on the screen with finesse, bringing all his experience as a hero over the previous 18 years into his performance. 

The film features "Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana", one of the best known Bollywood yodels This song was nominated in the best singer category for Kishore Kumar. Hasrat Jaipuri was awarded the best lyricist for this song.

 This is an entertaining family drama If you have not seen it earlier, you must see it now. 

#	Title	Singer(s)
1	"Re Mama Re Mama Re"	Mohammed Rafi
2	"Dil Use Do Jo Jaan De De"	Mohammed Rafi, Asha Bhosle
3	"Hai Na Bolo Bolo"	Mohammed Rafi, Suman Kalyanpur, Sushma Shrestha, Pratibha
4	"Mujhe Pyas Aesi Pyas Lagi Hai"	Asha Bhosle
5	"Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana"	Kishore Kumar
6	"Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana (II)"	Mohammed Rafi
7	"Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana (III)"	Asha Bhosle

Song of Andaz 1971

Song of Andaz 1971

Song of Andaz 1971

Song of Andaz 1971

Song of Andaz 1971

Song of Andaz 1971

Song of Andaz 1971

Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche- The song created for Dev Anand.

 

This super hit song was originally written and composed by Hasrat Jaipuri and Shankar Jaikishan for Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai released in 1961to be picturized on Dev Anand and Asha Parekh. But Dev Anand rejected it because he felt it wouldn't go down well with his personality.

When an upset  Jaikishen mentioned Shammi Kapoor about this song, he asked him to play this song for him.he just freaked on it" I love this song"He immediately told Jaikishan to keep it reserved for him, he will use this song in one of his future films.

Shammi Kapoor gave this song to Manmohan Desai who was making 'Budtameez' at that time but he couldn't be picturized for that film. Shammi Kapoor then gave this song to G P Sippy for Brahmachari

This song was picturized on Shammi Kapoor and Mumtaz.Bhappi Sonie, the director of the film, wanted Mumtaz to Wear a Sari in this song but Mumtaz declined saying that she would be uncomfortable dancing in a Sari. Bhappie Sonie then discussed this with the costume designer Bhanu Athaiya who tried something innovative which became a rage as the Mumtaz Sari after the release of the film. She devised the Sari with readymade pleats and a zipper on the side.

The song became hit before the film got released.  People rushed to the theatres to catch a glimpse of this song and its incredible star cast. Mumtaz draped in a  low-waist, unconventional pre-pleated saree, which featured gold gota borders and a frilled hemline form-fitting bright orange saree, paired with a short sleeveless blouse was the attraction. She paired it with gold chandelier earrings, a choker necklace, a hath Patti, and the iconic 60s puffy hairstyle.

The song was one of the Top Songs in Binaca Geetmala of that year competing with Mere Samne Wali Khidki Mein from Padosan. Shammi Kapoor and Mumtaz made the Shake Dance popular in India. The signature tune of this song was its Prelude music. As soon as this music starts, everybody started to tap their feet and shake head.

This song has been recreated multiple times since but nobody has come close to repeating what Shammi achieved.

Song of Brahamchari 1968

Shammi Kapoor- A Natural Dancer

 

Shammi Kapoor in his Biography said"The sound of any music evoked in me a strong urge to dance. The rhythm didn't take time to seep into me and seek expression in dance. The urge to dance was always there in him. His brother Raj Kapoor was a good dancer but Shammi was different.

He never had a dance director or a choreographer for his dance songs in any film. He danced to his own style and created his own steps and movements. The first time he got the chance of expressing himself in dance songs was in Tumsa Nahin Dekha, this film redefined him and shot him to bigtime stardom.

In his Biography, he tells "From a very early stage, he wanted to learn dancing but there were no professional dancing schools in Bombay at that time. There used to be a hotel in Dadar, whose owner used to teach Tango dance He took a few lessons from him.

Shammi Kapoor said that it was lucky that he got good songs." I think I tried to give physical expressions to music. My choreography was always done here( pointing towards his heart) and I brought it out on the floor. Telling about the picturization of the song' Yahoo' he said "everybody was satisfied with the song Yahoo recorded after the hard work of Rafi saheb and music director Shankar Jaikishan, now it was my turn to make this song an immortal. This song was picturized in Kufri, not in Kashmir. The setting looked ideal with 12 feet deep snow and the breathtakingly beautiful sight around Everybody was in a fix what will I do?, how will I do?

Shammi further said that he was also not made in his mind about how to do it. Yes it was sure that he had to slide on the snow, The next day in the morning at 7 AM the whole unit collected at the spot from where he had to slide, But just when the camera was to roll, the sun disappeared, they couldn't shoot that day due to poor sunlight. This happened for six days, the song couldn't be picturized Finally on the Seventh-day the song was picturized. Shammi Kapoor said that there was no choreographer, no preparation by himself, whatever he did was spontaneous.

After Junglee every producer and director wanted Shammi to perform the song as per his wish. He said in the book" I used to tell my directors to keep the camera flexible, don't freeze the field, play the music, and let me do the act. That is what he did in most of his songs.

He said for the song Aasman Se Aya Farishta of An Evening in Paris, it was his idea to perform on a helicopter.

His biggest hit Teesri Manzil (1966) broke all kinds of records at the box office — thanks to its music. Composed by R.D. Burman, songs of this movie are considered some of his best works and Shammi’s best dance performances. O Mere Sona Re, O Haseena Zulfonwali Jaane Jahan, and Aaja Aaja Main Hoon Pyaar Tera are still regularly seen on playlists and heard on the radio.

Looking at just one decade of Shammi’s career, it is clear about the kind of stupendous impact that he has had on Bollywood and its audience. He left a mark like no other and even though many have managed to make a name as great dancers, nobody has come close to him — much like the original Elvis Presley.

Song of Tumsa Nahin Dekha 1957

Song of Dil Deke Dekho 1959

Song of Junglee 1961

Song of Dil Tera Deewana 1962

Song of Professor 1962

Song of Kashmir Ki Kali 1964

Song of An Evening in Paris 1966

Song of Teesri Manzil 1967

Song of Brahmachari 1968

Yun Toh Humne Lakh Haseen Dekhe Hain- The Game Changer for Shammi Kapoor

This song and the film'Tumsa Nahin Dekha' was a gamechanger for Shammi Kapoor. Before this film, he had given 18 flop films in a row. This film was written by Nasir Hussain in keeping Dev Anand in mind. When Dev Anand refused to do this film, Shammi Kapoor was given this film.
This superhit song was written by Sahir Ludhianvi and composed by O P Nayyar well in advance keeping in mind Dev Anand. This was the only song written by Sahir in this film, he also opted out of the film because Dev Anand is not doing the film. Those days only Dev Anand had a flamboyant image and his earlier films (Munimji and Paying Guest)  with the producers had similar roles and were superhit.
The director of the film Nasir Hussain said in an interview that he was reluctant to take Shammi Kapoor as his hero for this film, it was his first film as a director and he wanted to work with an established hero. S Mukkharjee the producer suggested the name of Sunil Dutt after Dev Anand's refusal, ultimately the name of Shammi Kapoor emerged. 
Shammi Kapoor, who knew the story of the film and also knew that it will be a musical Rom-Com was desperate to grab this film to boost his sinking career. Nasir Hussain thought of changing the earlier image of Shammi Kapoor, asked him to remove his mustaches and change his hairstyle.
Shammi Kapoor told in an interview that this film was his dream film, he wanted this type of a role to show to the world his style. Those days no specialized choreographers were available for the songs. Heroes used to be sober or simpler in their songs. I had a great sense of dance and music, could improvise my own steps. So I asked Nasir Hussain to give him the recording of the song so that he could prepare for the song.
The day he got the recording of this song he went up to the terrace of his house at Chembur, he danced with the rhythm throughout the night., until every line, every beat had seeped into his body.
When the song was being picturized, Nasir Hussain gave him the full freedom to make his moves and steps. Everybody present there were surprised to see Shammi performing the song. Nasir Hussain was happy, he wanted Shammi Kapoor to do differently and he did it.
This is a version song, the other version was sung by Asha Bhonsle, the favorite of composer O P Nayyar.

Song of Tumsa Nahin Dekha 1957 (Both Versions)

O Haseena Zulfon Wali - The song that made Pancham Unbeatable

 Who can forget the 20-feet-tall Rocky sculpture and the massive "human eye" visual in the "O Haseena Zulfon Wali" song with Helen and Shammi Kapoor? This super hit song from Teesri Manzil has a story behind it.
The creator of this song was R D Burman. Four films ahead of him, none of these a hit, looking for a big break was not the first choice of the producer Nasir Hussain and hero Shammi Kapoor. Both of them were keen on Shankar Jailishan or  O P Nayyar. It was only the director  Vijay Anand and lyricist Mazrooh Sultanpuri who persuaded both the producer and the hero to listen to his tunes then decide.

Pankaj in an interview once said that he had already prepared six tunes for this film and was sure that these will be approved by them. In the first sitting he started with the first  two lines of a Nepali tune, which was later remade as ‘Deewana mujhsa nahin’, when Shammi interrupted him, completed the rest of the lines ‘Deotara mattali oina’, Shammi Kapoor told him he knew the full Nepali song and heard it before, he liked the tune since then.
After this Pancham played the tunes he had reserved for this occasion. The first tune he presented was O Haseena Zulfon wali, listening to this Shammi Kapoor jumped from his seat. The next tune Pancham played was of the song Aaja Aaja Mein Hoon Pyar Tera. Shammi Kapoor stopped him abruptly and said, ‘I don’t want to hear any more songs.’ He rose and made for the exit. ‘You’ve passed. You are my music director,’ 
This is a duet of Asha Bhosle and Mohammad Rafi in which Pancham used a big orchestra of more than 80 musicians of whom close to forty were violinists. Pancham laid out a variety of instruments ranging from the drums and the violins for the main course of dominant sounds, the triangle and the trumpet for the side dishes of supporting sounds, and the acoustic guitar and sax in the Bossa nova-style interludes. 
. Filmed in multiple crane shots with fleeting close-ups and cuts introduced only when switching between characters, Manohari Singh the right-hand man of RDB said that this song was recorded well before Shammi Kapoor reaching the studio.  In the song, the Saxophone was played by Manohari Singh and in the film, Shammi Kapoor plays Saxophone. When Shammi Kapoor heard the recorded version of this song, he said it would set the standard for the portrayal of lively music and dance in Indian cinema.

"YAHOO" The Yell that Shook the Nation

This iconic foot-tapping song from film Junglee introduced a freestyle dancing by Shammi Kapoor. His sky-breaking scream ‘Yahoo!’ depicts a freedom-seeking soul. This song became a cult song.  The idea of "Yahoo" itself was Shammi Kapoor's who had used it earlier in "Tumsa Nahin Dekha" (1957) and "Dil Deke Dekho" (1959).
You would be surprised to know that the iconic yell "Yahoo!!" in this song was not rendered by Mohammad Rafi. In fact, Jaikishan the music director of this film had planned on using his voice for the scream but when he couldn't pull it off, he asked the writer Prayag Raj who happened to be in the. studio and gave that memorable shout. Shammi Kapoor once said it was only Rafi saheb who could sing on such a high scale.
Shammi Kapoor hurt himself while picturizing this song. He badly bruised his knees when he came hurtling down a snow-covered hill while shouting his signature call -- "yahoo" - This song was picturized at Pahalgam in Kashmir.
 It is this musical number alone that solidified Kapoor's reputation as an untamed screen presence (in the style of Dean and Presley) and set the tone for his future movies. 
After picturizing this song, when Rafi saheb saw the song, he hugged Shammi Kapoor and said that he thought of him while singing this song and you have exactly done that. After this song Rafi became his voice in films. 
Junglee was 1961 film which was in color, it was an attraction to those days. Shammi Kapoor was not sure that this film would be such a hit, especially this song. This song became a craze and Shammi Kapoor became a Superstar after this film. Kapoor steadily amassed a huge following that reached its zenith with this film.
This movie was first offered to Jagdeep before played by Shammi Kapoor. Jag deep 'Surma Bhopali' from Sholay fame famous for the comic role did some serious role in his early movies

Song of Junglee 1961

Mem Sahib (1956)- A Classic Film with Four Legends in Making

A rare film with a star cast Shammi Kapoor, Meena Kumari, Kishore Kumar, and Mehmood in one film is an attractive proposition to watch. At the time of its release, none of them was a big star. Shammi Kapoor's first hit film was Tumsa Nahin Dekha which was released one year later in 1957. What is more, he is not the hero, he does not get to walk away with the heroine, and he plays a negative character. Mehmood had a small and insignificant role. Kishore Kumar was also not a big name. Meena  Kumari was the only one who was successful, not a Tragedy Queen at that time. 
Meena Kumari played the role of a  modern girl in this film. An unlike Meena Kumari film with full of entertainment. This is also one of Meena Kumari’s non-tragedy roles. 

This film is based on the usual clash between ‘traditional Indian’ and ‘modern/Western’ values. Kishore Kumar(Sunder) who plays the naive young man, brought up in an ashram comes to town to marry which was fixed long ago by the heroine's rich father when both the boy and girl were a child. The girl who lived in a city with a modern lifestyle refuses to marry such a  guy. She gives a matrimonial Ad. in a paper and takes interviews. Manohar (Shammi Kapoor) who plays a negative character in the film reads the Ad and decides to go for an interview. Manohar impresses Meena, both become friendly. Meena introduces Manohar to her uncle as her prospective groom,

Meena's aunt was against this marriage so she calls Sundar from Guru ji ashram to meet Meena, the girl to whom he is betrothed. Meena, on the other hand, wanted to marry Manohar.
Sunder blames Manohar for ‘stealing’ his Meena away, The uncle advises Sunder to forget Meena. In the meantime, Manohar approaches Meena’s uncle for his blessings. Uncle tells Manohar that he has no problem as long as Meena wants to marry him but  Meena’s father’s will states that if Meena marries anyone other than Sunder, the latter will be heir to all her wealth. 
Manohar who is after the wealth of Meena tells Meena about the will. Manohar, along with Meena, steals the will out of her uncle’s safe but their plans fail once again when they come to know that one more copy of this will is lying with Sunder's mother.
Manohar plants the idea of Meena getting the will from Sunder by pretending to fall in love with him. Meena falls for the idea. Initially, she pretended to love Sunder but after a while, she realizes Manohar of wooing her for her money; if he truly loved her, he would take her as she is. 

The film was produced and directed by R C Talwar, music was given by Madan Mohan. 
Music Director  Madan Mohan was inspired by the 1934 song  Isle of Capri for not one but two versions of the song Dil Dil Se Mila Kar Dekho,, sung by Asha Bhosle and Kishore Kumar respectively. Both the songs were picturized on Meena Kumari and Kishore Kumar. The first version (Asha Bhosle) in the film comes more than an hour into the film when Meena Kumari pretends to be interested in Kishore Kumar and who, outside the world of the ashram he has grown up in, is just getting introduced to the ways of the ‘sinful’ world. Meena Kumari is driving the car while Kishore Kumar sits on the front seat.

The second version (Kishore Kumar) comes about half an hour later once Kishore Kumar, now having fallen hook line and sinker for Meena Kumari, has succumbed to the lifestyle of the rich and wealthy. In this song, Kishore Kumar drives the car and Meena Kumari sits on the front seat.
Another popular song "Hamari Gali Aana, Achha Ji" picturized on Meena Kumari and Shammi Kapoor, a sung by Asha Bhosle and Talat Mahmood was also very popular, This film is available on YouTube.

Song of Mem Sahib 1956 (Female Version)

Song of Mem Sahib 1956 (Male Version)

Song of Mem Sahib 1956

Song of Mem Sahib 1956

Song of Mem Sahib 1956

Song of Mem Sahib 1956

Song of Mem Sahib 1956

Shammi Kapoor- A tough Competitor of Dev Anand in the 60s

Shammi Kapoor (21 October 1931 – 14 August 2011) became a star with the release of Tumsa Nahin Dekha in 1957. After Junglee was released in 1961, he was giving one hit after another, he became the most sought-after hero along with Dev Anand. There was a tough competition with Dev Anand's films.
Dev Anand once said that the Sixties was the decade when I faced the true competition from Shammi Kapoor. My Jab Pyar Kissi Se Hota Hai had a silver jubilee run, while his Junglee completed its golden jubilee. Similarly, my Hum Dono and his Professor ran to silver jubilees within a span of a few months. The releases of our films were eagerly awaited and seen many times by our fans throughout the nation.
There was a time when Shammi Kapoor was not accepted as a hero. He had about 18 failures against his illustrious surname before writer-director Nasir Husain’s Tumsa Nahin Dekha (1957) catapulted him into fame and stardom. Shammi Kapoor. 
Shammi Kapoor in a program on TV once said that he owes his stardom to Dev Anand, had he accepted the do the film Tumsa Nahin Dekha which, Nasir Hussain wanted to make him the hero, he would not be here where he is today. Same way Junglee was offered to Dev Anand which again Dev Saab refused to do so the film came to him. Subodh Mukerji’s tentatively titled film Mr. Hitler, the name later changed to Junglee.
Similarly, in the case of Teesri Manzil, Dev Anand was the first choice of Nasir Hussain but there cropped up some controversy between Dev Saab and Nasir Hussain, the film went to Shammi Kapoor again. Dev Anand once admitted to Rauf Ahmed in an interview, 'I created my biggest rival. With every film I let go, he [Shammi Kapoor] shot to fame but Dev Anand never had any animosity with Shammi Kapoor. In fact after the demise of Shammi Kapoor in an interview, Dev Saab said that we shared a warm rapport, and I must confess that he was the right choice for Teesri Manzil, far better than me. 
Both had some similarities, both played the urban hero. both banked upon their songs, both had a  flair for music and had a unique style.
On working together Dev Anand said that both of us were to have starred in Shakti Samanta's One Night To Murder which never went on the floors. Shammi was kind enough to appear in a cameo as a judge in my film Censor.

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1954 in Indian Cinema

1954 In Indian Cinema

                                                  Mohammad Rafi Meri Awaz Suno

Song of Tumsa Nahin Dekha 1957

Song of Dil Deke Dekho 1959

Song of Junglee 1961

Song of Professor 1962

Song of Rajkumar 1964

Song of Teesri Manzil 1966

Song of An Evening In Paris 1967

Song of Brahmchari 1968