Shammi Kapoor - Who Sang his Songs from his Heart

Most Hindi movie buffs know that when we talk of romantic songs it was Shammi Kapoor, along with Dev Anand, who set the template for your typical Bollywood hero. There was a time when in Chitrahar and Chhayageet Four out of six songs used to be from Dev Anand or Shammi Kapoor's Films.

A lot has been written about how before Kapoor’s Tumsa Nahin Dekha, a 1957 musical hit, the Bollywood hero sang – but never danced. At least, not with as much gusto and rebellious freedom as Kapoor did. “Shammi Kapoor changed the image of the Hindi film hero from sad and brooding into one who revelled in singing and dancing.

Shammi Kapoor in a TV show informed that he used to like western music, once Nargis took him to a music shop in Fort, Bombay and pampered him with a gramophone player and 20 records of his choice. Thus began Kapoor’s fascination with English music. 

Shammi Kapoor also felt grateful to Dev Anand who refused to sign Tumsa Nahin Dekha and suggested his name to Nasir Hussain. This film made him Shammi Kapoor the star. Before that none of his films was even an average runner.

Shammi Kapoor (21 October 1931 – 14 August 2011) told that he had no pretensions of being a great actor. He was happy with his style of dancing. He didn't know how to dance but he had given expressions to his songs. He never had a choreographer but did all the dance steps himself. With a great sense of music and energetic dance moves

Initially, it was O P Nayyar who created songs for his films later it was Shankar Jaikishan who composed songs in most of his films. Mohammad Rafi became his voice.

Shammi Kapoor took his music very seriously. His songs were – and still are – a rage. Stories abound of how he would attend all his song recordings. Mohammed Rafi adjusted his voice to match the Shammi Kapoor persona – a more youthful, delinquent and livelier voice that would complement the energetic dance style of the Junglee star.

In 60s Shammi Kapoor gave many hit films and songs. Through his breezy and carefree roles, in which he indulged in all kinds of burlesque antics, Shammi Kapoor participated in the party song (the male item number, if you will) more than any other mainstream hero before or during his time. Some of his most memorable numbers, such as the Dil Deke Dekho title track, Baar Baar Dekho from China Town, Dekho Ab Toh from Janwar, the two Teesri Manzil club songs (O Haseena Zulfonwaali and Aaja Aaja) and Aaj Kal Tere Mere take place in the club or hotel space or on the occasion of a celebration.

He became a sensation, Bollywood's first youth icon. Soon he was playing characters named Rocky as in the thriller Teesri Manzil (a 1966 film once again Dev Anand opted out of), playing modern trades such as photography in the frothy Bluff Master (1963), and trying to convince smart singletons such as Sharmila Tagore in An Evening in Paris 1967.

Such was the great entertainer who made the audience forget all their troubles for three hours and gave them undiluted entertainment.

Song of Tumsa Nahin Dekha 1957

Song of Dil Deke Dekho 1959

Song of Ujala 1959

Song of Junglee 1961

Song of Dil Tera Diwana 1962

Song of Professor 1962

Song of Bluff Master 1963

Song of Kashmir Ki Kali 1964

Song of Janwar 1965

Song of Teesri Manzil 1966

Song of  An Evening in Paris1967

Song of  Brahmachari 1968

50 Years of BRAHMACHARI

Super Hit film Brahmachari completes 50 Years today. It was released on 27th April 1968.The film became a box office hit and won several awards, including Filmfare Best Movie Award.The film stars Shammi Kapoor, Rajshree, Pran, Mumtaz, Jagdeep, Sachin and Asit Sen. The music was by Shankar Jaikishan.They got theFilmfare Award for this film.In fact the best Lyricist gone to Shailendra and Mohammad Rafi got the Best Male Singer for the song."Dil Ke Jharoke Mein"Brahmachari” won six Filmfare awards out of the eight categories it was nominated for. 

Music scholar and film expert Rajesh Subramanian  wrote an interesting incident that the song "Aajkal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche" was a rejected tune, which a depressed Jaikishan played to Shammi Kapoor at Hotel Gaylord. Kapoor found the tune very catchy and suggested to director Bhappi Sonie to include the song in Brahmachari. The song became one of the highlights of the film. 
“Brahmachari”  is perhaps one of the few films where Shammi Kapoor gives a restrained and sombre performance, in contrast to his usually exuberant and boisterous “Yahoo” persona that he created for the Bollywood screen.

The film is about an enterprising photographer Brahmachari (Shammi Kapoor) who looks after a dozen orphan children in a rented accommodation as he himself had been abandoned on streets and has no clue about his parentage. One day, looking for an exclusive picture, he saves beautiful Sheetal (Rajshri) from near suicide which she wishes to undertake since she has been spurned by her fiancée Ravi (Pran). He not only saves her but also employs her as a maid for his “foster children” and their kinship soon evolves into deep bonds of affection.
The find of this film was Jr Mehmood.Remember the hilarious dance act on 'Hum kaale hain toh kya hua dilwale hain...' from the movie 'Brahmachari'? The little naughty boy who imitated comic style of the great comedian Mehmood Ali is still fresh in everyone's mind. 

Yet in the ultimate analysis, the film belongs to Shammi's ‘voice', Rafi, who along with S-J's music and Shailendra-Hasrat lyrics, brings forth some unforgettable melodies that helped shape Brahmachari into a cult figure for eternity.

Songs from Brahmachari

Bollywood Films Based on Bhagat Singh

 Martyrs’ Day, also known as Shaheed Diwas is observed on March 23.On this day in 1931. Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru  sacrificed their lives for India’s independence.The lives of these freedom fighters have not only inspired India’s independence movement but also Bollywood.The first film based on the life of Bhagat Singh was released in 1954. The role of Bhagat Singh was played by Jairaj..The next film released in 1963 Shaheed Bhagat Singh this role was played by Shammi Kapoor.After this in 1965 came Manoj Kumar's "Shaheed" After 35 years Sonu Sood played this role in 2002 film"Shaheed e Azam".
Ajay Devgan also played the role in The Legend of Bhagat Singh (2002),same year another film released "23rd March 1931: Shaheed" (2002) in this film Bobby Deol played the role of Bhagat Singh.
Beside this Som Dutt,the younger brother of Sunil Dutt played the role of Bhagat Singh in 1974 film "Amar Shaheed Bhagat Singh" made in Punjabi and Hindi.
‘Shaheed-e-Azad Bhagat Singh

 The first film based on the life of Bhagat Singh. Directed by Jagdish Gautam, the film features Prem Abeed, Jairaj, Smriti Biswas and Ashita Mazumdar in lead roles. The film also has the classic patriotic song ‘Sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab humare dil main hain..’ in Mohammed Rafi’s melodious voice.

Song from Song from Shaheed-e-Azad Bhagat Singh 1954

Shaheed Bhagat Singh (1963)

 Directed by KN Bansal, the film features Shammi Kapoor essaying the role of Bhagat Singh. Besides Shammi Kapoor, the film stars Shakeela, Premnath, Ulhas and Achla Sachdev.  

Song from Shaheed Bhagat Singh (1963)

Shaheed (1965)

 it was produced by Kewal Kashyap and directed by S. Ram Sharma and stars Manoj Kumar, Kamini Kaushal, Pran, Iftekhar, Nirupa Roy, Prem Chopra, Madan Puri and Anwar Hussain in lead roles.Shaheed was the first of Manoj Kumar's series of patriotic films,

Song from Shaheed  (1965)

Amar Shaheed Bhagat Singh 1974

 Directed by Omi Bedi. With Rajni Bala, Som Dutt, Achala Sachdev, Dara Singh. ... Also Known As: Shaheed-E-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh The film was made in Punjabi and hindi released in 1974.

Song from Amar Shaheed Bhagat Singh 1974

Shaheed-E-Azam (2002)

It is a 2002 Hindi film directed by Sukumar Nair. The film, based upon the life of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, caused some controversy as the Punjab and Haryana High Court issued a notice to the producers calling for a ban of the movie.It was released in 2002.

Song from Shaheed-E-Azam (2002)

The Legend of Bhagat Singh (2002)

It is a 2002 Indian historical biographical film about Bhagat Singh,. It was directed by Rajkumar Santoshi and starred Ajay Devgn, Sushant Singh, and D. Santosh. At the 50th National Film Awards, The Legend of Bhagat Singh won the Best Feature Film in Hindi and Devgn received the Best Actor award.

Song from the legend of bhagat singh (2002)

23rd March 1931: Shaheed (2002)

It is a 2002 Indian Hindi historical biographical film about Bhagat Singh, directed by Guddu Dhanoa which depicts the events leading up to the hanging of Indian freedom fighter Bhagat Singh and his companions Rajguru and Sukhdev .The film stars Bobby Deol as Bhagat Singh, his elder brother Sunny Deol as Chandrashekhar Azad 

Song from 23rd march 1931 shaheed (2002)

Rang De Basanti (2006)

The movie revolves around the life of a group of friends who work together on a documentary film on the revolutionaries.The film features an ensemble cast comprising Aamir Khan, R Madhavan, Siddharth Narayan, Soha Ali Khan, Kunal Kapoor, Sharman Joshi, Atul Kulkarni and British actress Alice Patten. 

The Great Architects Of Golden Era Of Bollywood

The 50s and 60s was the Golden Period of Bollywood. It was the period that saw the Hindi cinema with melodious socials and melodramas with melodious & immortal songs.The films made during that time not only gave entertainment but also social & moral message..this period saw the production of some of India’s most critically acclaimed directors, actors and actresses,Music Directors,Lyricist and films of all time.  

V SHANTARAM -

 In 1929, he founded the Prabhat Film Company along with Vishnupant Damle, K.R. Dhaiber, S. Fatelal and S.B. Kulkarni, which made Ayodhyecha Raja, the first Marathi language film in 1932 under his direction.He left Prabhat co. in 1942 to form "Rajkamal Kalamandir" in Mumbai. In time, "Rajkamal" became one of the most sophisticated studios of the country. Through his 66-year-old career, was known to use cinema as an instrument to effect social change, advocate humanism and expose bigotry and injustice. He was also interested in music and actively participated in the music creation and production of his films. He was also remembered to have ‘ghost-written’ music for many of his music directors.He is most known for films such as Dr. Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani (1946), Amar Bhoopali (1951), Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje (1955), Do Aankhen Barah Haath (1957), Navrang (1959),
BIMAL ROY

-  He is particularly noted for his realistic and socialistic films such as Do Bigha Zamin, Parineeta, Madhumati, Sujata, and Bandini, making him an important director of Golden Era of Hindi cinema.He was a filmmaker of great and in-depth understanding of human strengths and weaknesses.He introduced the genius composer Salil Chowdhury to Hindi Cinema with Do Beegha Zameen , but also utilised his writing skills in at least three films. Do Beegha was based on a story Rikshawala written by him back in the ’40s. Parakh was also based on his story and Salil da wrote the screenplay of Prem Patra .

MEHBOOB KHAN -

 The maker of bold saga Aurat (1940),Anmol Ghadi (1946), the romantic drama Andaz (1949), the swashbuckling musical Aan (1951) and the grand social epic Mother India (1957).He set up his production company – Mehboob Productions, and later a film studio – Mehboob Studios in Bandra, Mumbai in 1954.

K ASIF -

 A film director, film producer and screenwriter who is famous for his work on the Hindi epic motion picture, Mughal-e-Azam (1960)..His directorial debut, Phool (1945), did very well at the box-office due to the casting of and portrayals by famous actors and actresses of the time such as Prithviraj Kapoor, Durga Khote and Suraiya. He became a successful director due to his perfectionism in weaving his imagination into an art form and gave birth to Mughal-e-Azam, a legendary film in the Indian Film Industry. He died at age 48. 

Raj Kapoor

Raj Kapoor  is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential actors and filmmakers in the history of cinema.^[5] He was the winner of several accolades including 3 National Film Awards and 11 Filmfare Awards in India.  He was a two-time nominee for the Palme d'Or grand prize at the Cannes Film Festival for his films Awaara (1951) and Boot Polish (1954).He established R K Studio in 1948  and became the youngest film director of his time making his directorial debut with Aag starring himself, He went on to produce and star in several hit films made under his R. K. Banner including Awaara (1951), Shree 420 (1955), Jagte Raho (1956) and Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai (1960)

B R CHOPRA -

He was one of the architects of golden era,Best known for making Hindi films like Naya Daur (1957), Sadhna (1958), Kanoon (1961), Gumrah (1963) and Humraaz (1967).His first film as a director, Afsana, was released in 1951 and featured Ashok Kumar in a double role – the film was a hit and established his name in Bollywood. Chopra made Chandni Chowk, with Meena Kumari as a lead, in 1954. In 1955, B.R. formed his own production house, B.R Films. His first movie for this production house was the highly successful Naya Daur (1957) starring Dilip Kumar and Vyjayantimala Bali, the film became a golden jubilee hit. He was instrumental in developing the career of singer Mahendra Kapoor, 

GURU DUTT -

 He was an Indian film director, producer and actor. He made 1950s and 1960s classics such as Baazi, Pyaasa, Kaagaz Ke Phool, Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam and Chaudhvin Ka Chand. In particular, Pyaasa and Kaagaz Ke Phool are now included among the greatest films of all time, both by Time magazine's "All-TIME" 100 best movies.His first film as Director, Navketan's Baazi, was released in 1951..He also produced Aar Paar 1954 and C I D in 1956.

VIJAY ANAND-

 Also known as Goldie Anand, was a filmmaker, producer, screenwriter, editor and actor, who is known for acclaimed films such as Guide (1965) and Johny Mera Naam (1970). He made most of his films for the in-house banner Navketan Films.He was also the director of Teesri Manzil(1966).He gave us the films like  Nau Do Gyarah(1957),  Kala Bazar (1960),Tere Ghar Ke Samne (1963),Jewel Thief (1967),Tere Mere Sapne (1971).

Actors of Golden Era
The three most popular male Indian actors of the 1950s and 1960s were Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor, and Dev Anand, each with their own unique acting style.Other actors were Ashok Kumar. Balraj Sahni,Guru Dutt,Shammi Kapoor, Rajendra Kumar,Johny Walker and Mehmood while successful actresses included  Nargis, Suraiya, Vyjayanthimala, Meena Kumari, Nutan, Madhubala, Sadhana, Waheeda Rehman and Mala Sinha.

Music Directors Of Golden Era
Naushd,S D Burman,Shankar Jaikishan,O P Nayyar.Madan Mohan,C Ramchandra.Hemant Kumar and Roshan were few of the great composer of that time.

Singers of Golden Era
Lata,Geeta Dutt,Asha Bhosle,Suriya among the female Rafi,Talat Manna De Mukesh and Kishore Kumar were among the male singers.